How do you clean off the buildup of furniture polish?

Answer 1

French polish is a solution of the shellac in methylated spirits ( denatured ethyl alcohol). This is applied first by brush usually and then many layers with a cloth and finally rubbed with more and more linseed or vegetable oil on the cloth. After much work a mirror finish can be achieved. So removal merely meaqns washing well with spirit and brushing that into the grain with an old toothbrush for example. There are proprietary gels which can be used, such as Rustins Varnish Remover, but they are more necessary for paint like varnishes.

Answer 2

I have had this problem. I have discovered quite by accident that if you mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle and wait 2 -3 minutes and then wipe it with a paper towel your furniture polish will remove quite easily.

Answer 3

By furniture polish I assume you mean the waxy buildup from using pledge or endust furniture polish? Both of these can be removed by using denatured alcohol on a soft cloth. Lemon oil or orange oil as well can strip waxes off furniture finishes.

However, if the furniture has a "French Polish" of shellac and linseed oil, alcohol, water or oils could damage that. Instead a clean slightly damp rag with a little saddle soap and light rubbing could remove it. DO NOT wet the surface as it could cause shellac to whiten. Always work in small areas and dry the surface immediately, test initially on the underside of the furniture before doing the top surface. After cleaning the surface the polish can be touched up with a balled up rag with a little linseed oil and worked in with a figure 8 motion. A few drops of denatured alcohol will help spread the oil but do not use more than a few drops at a time. Do not wax a french polish.

For other surface treatments, butchers wax with a little alcohol is good for polishing, clean with denatured alcohol. Most spray on polishes are carnauba wax and lemon or orange oil.

Answer 4

The best and easiest way to deal with fingerprints on glass is with glass cleaner. Windex, or any other glass cleaner should work just fine. Try to use a cloth to wipe it rather than a paper towel because they leave less residue behind. If you have any streaking left behind you may want to go back over it with a dry cloth.

Answer 5

One way to easily clean wooden coffee tables is to use Clorox wipes. These can be bought in most stores such as Walmart as well as Target, they can also be bought online on Amazon.

Answer 6

The best ways to keep your glass coffee table clean is to clean it regularly with water and vinegar mixed in same amount. Spray it onto the table and wipe it gently with some old newspapers.

Answer 7

Try Windex or vinegar.