Natural Furniture Repair and Maintenance

• removing grime from furniture
  Dirt and grime can be easily removed from woodwork with a solution of 1 cup (225ml) of ammonia, 2/3 cup (150ml) of distilled vinegar, and 2 1/2 tablespoons (30g) of baking soda dissolved in warm water. This solution will not dull the finish or leave streaks. Be careful of the smell when you mix these together.

• reviving leather upholstery
  Leather can be revived by wiping with a damp cloth sprinkled with a little white vinegar.

• removing newsprint stains from surfaces
  The print can be a real pain to get rid of if you leave a newspaper lying on a slightly damp surface, or drop of rain gets the paper wet before delivery. Make a paste with baking soda and a little water and rub gently until the stain disappears. 

• old-fashioned furniture polish
  1/2 cup (125ml) lemon juice
  1 cup (250ml) olive oil
  
  For wooden furniture with an oil-fashioned finish (i.e., an oiled instead of a shiny varnish), make your own furniture polish. Mix the lemon juice and olive oil in a glass jar with a lid. Cover and shake vigorously to combine, then apply to your furniture with a soft cotton cloth. Add a little shine by rubbing briskly, then allow to air dry. Refrigerate any unused portion for up to 3 weeks. Tip: The oil may appear cloudy when cold, but just let the polish sit at room temperature for a few minutes and it will return to normal. 

• Furniture Polish
  1/4 cup olive oil
  
  1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
  20-30 drops lemon essential oil
  
  Shake well before using
  (2 teaspoons lemon juice may be substituted for lemon oil but then must be stored in refrigerator)
  
  Dip a clean, dry cloth into the polish and rub wood in the direction of the grain. Use a soft brush to work the polish into corners or tight places.   

• Removing Water Spots on Furniture
  To remove water spots rub well with toothpaste. 

• removing ring stains
  Stubborn rings left where wet glasses have been placed on wood furniture can be removed by rubbing them with a mixture of equal parts of distilled vinegar and olive oil. Rub with the grain and polish for the best results. 

• cat behavior moderator
  1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar
  1/2 cup (125ml) water
  
  If your cats have a bad habit of fighting with one another or scratching upholstery, a bit of vinegar might be all you need to correct unwanted behavior. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water. If you come upon your cats fighting one another, a squirt in their general direction should be enough to get them to go their separate ways. If it's furniture that you need to protect, test the solution first in an inconspicuous place. If the vinegar doesn't affect the color, go ahead and lightly spray the spots you'd rather your cats not claw-the smell will keep them away (the scent will be largely undetectable to humans once it dries).   

• basic wood cleaning solution
  3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
  3 tablespoons water
  1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
  A few drops olive oil
  
  This is a good mix for well-used furniture. The vinegar does a wonderful job of pulling dirt out of wood. Combine the ingredients in a bowl, saturate a sponge with the mixture, and squeeze out the excess to wash surfaces. The smell of vinegar will disappear in a few hours. Always store carefully in a labeled jar or bottle.  

• Remove Scratches on Furniture
  To remove scratches use 1 part lemon juice and 1 part oil, rub with soft cloth. 

• reviving old leatherwork
  Mix a scant cup (200ml) of vinegar with 1 3/4 cup (400ml) of linseed oil. Shake this in a bottle until it reaches the consistency of cream. Rub into the leather and polish with a soft cloth.

• leather conditioner
  1 tablespoon (15ml) vinegar
  2 tablespoons (30ml) linseed oil
  
  To clean and condition most leather items (except shoes, which are often made of a harder leather), use 1 part vinegar with 2 parts linseed oil. Mix the two together in a small glass container. Apply to leather furniture with a soft cloth and buff lightly. Note: Rags soaked in linseed oil are considered a fire hazard, so immediately soak them in water after use and never put them in the dryer.

• furniture polish
  Make a furniture polish using equal parts of white vinegar and vegatble oil. Wipe it on and buff with a soft cloth.    

• lawn furniture cleaner
  1/4 cup (55g) baking soda
  1 quart (1 liter) warm water
  
  If your old patio furniture is looking a little weather-beaten before the season starts, brighten it up with a good baking soda wash. Mix the baking soda in to the warm water and stir to dissolve. Wipe down all surfaces with the solution and rinse clean with fresh water. 

• prevent wicker furniture from yellowing
  1/2 cup (150g) salt
  3 cups (750ml) warm water
  
  White wicker furniture that's been finished with an oil-based paint has a tendency to yellow with age, especially if it is stored in the dark during the winter. To fight the effects of aging, give your wicker furniture an annual scrub down with a stiff brush and a saltwater solution. Allow the furniture to dry completely (preferably in the sun) before storing. 

• leather
  Clean leather with a mixture of 2/3 cup (150ml) boiled linseed oil and 2/3 cup (150ml) vinegar. Carefully apply to any spots with a soft cloth and let dry