Polished furniture attracts the eye with its glossy surface. But it requires constant supervision and care. To maintain the presentable appearance of polished furniture, the housewife needs to arm herself with certain knowledge and skills, for example, how to clean polished furniture.
Features of cleaning polished furniture
The varnish layer, which provides this attractive appearance during operation, reveals several of its disadvantages. Namely:
- A polished surface constantly attracts a lot of dust.
- All kinds of contaminants are perfectly absorbed into the varnish.
- Under rough mechanical influences, the polished surface becomes covered with cracks and scratches that are difficult to remove.
When cleaning polished furniture, it is preferable to use:
- soft lint-free fabrics;
- liquid formulations;
- soft remedies.
Polished furniture:
- Does not tolerate the use of hot objects without special linings.
- Exposure of the varnish layer to heavy and sharp objects leads to mechanical damage.
- Any spilled and dried liquid leaves a stain.
- Even wiping the surface without polishing will leave streaks.
- The proximity of furniture to fireplaces and radiators and exposure to ultraviolet radiation have a detrimental effect on the varnish coating.
Maintenance activities will not be problematic if you constantly monitor the appearance of dirt and “refresh” the surface. There are special products for this that can be purchased in markets.
When cleaning polished furniture, there are also available products. The most important thing is to exclude:
- powder products;
- scrapers;
- abrasive surface of the sponges.
When using such compositions when washing polished furniture, it is easy to damage the varnish layer.
Review of furniture care products
Any furniture, regardless of its quality, requires regular maintenance. Among household chemicals, which can be found in almost any modern store, furniture care products are found in limited quantities. However, they are no less in demand than any other household chemicals.
Over time, any furniture, be it an executive chair or an antique product made of valuable wood, is exposed to time, even if it is not used for its intended purpose. Microcracks and small scratches will still appear on the surface, which are difficult to notice at first glance. How can this be avoided?
Available means
If you are unable to buy a specialized anti-scratch composition, you can use available products and materials, many of which can be found in any home.
Cigarette ash
You can erase scratches on gray furniture using ash. Prepare a paste from it, adding a small amount of water, rub it into the problem area. The remains are removed with a rag.
Cigarette ash can be used to cover scratches on gray furniture
Toothpaste
With its help you can remove scuffs on white furniture. It is enough to dilute the thick mass a little with water, then rub it into the base. If you dilute the toothpaste not with water, but with vegetable oil, the polishing effect will be more pronounced.
Sanding scuffs on furniture with toothpaste
Colour pencils
Using a regular pencil, you can simply paint over the scratch, especially if it is not too deep. It is only important to take a pencil of a color that ideally matches the furniture, otherwise the mark will stand out on the surface.
You can paint over small scratches with colored pencils.
You can mask scuffs on furniture in the color of walnut, mahogany, dark oak, and mahogany using iodine. You should soak a cotton swab in the preparation and apply it to the problem area. It is better to work with iodine with gloves.
Removing scratches with iodine
Eyebrow pencil
Often, a brown eyebrow pencil matches the shade of damaged furniture. In this case, you can simply paint over all the chips and cracks. The process will have to be repeated periodically, since the pencil will be erased during cleaning.
Using eyebrow pencils to fill in scratches
Shoe polish
High-quality shoe polish can easily polish out scratches that appear on furniture. Difficulties often arise when choosing a tone, but a suitable option can still be found. The surface is cleaned, dried, the cream is applied strictly to the defect, and after 5 minutes the area is polished. After 3–4 wet cleanings, the restoration is repeated.
Covering scratches with shoe polish
Colored crayons
Using wax crayons that match the shade of the furniture, you can easily paint over a scratch. It is enough to swipe the area of damage several times, and the area will look much better.
Wax crayons will help with furniture restoration
Plasticine
It is possible to repair a large dent or chip using plasticine of a suitable color. When the defect is filled, its surface must be treated with furniture varnish.
Sawdust with glue
By adding a little PVA to dry sawdust, you get a high-quality product for covering up defects. They fill holes and cracks in the wood, then compact it well and let it dry for 24 hours. Afterwards the surface is ground, polished and, if necessary, painted.
Paraffin from candles
Light furniture can be restored using candle wax. It must be melted, kneaded, carefully placed on the defect area, and rubbed in in a circular motion. After drying, the glossy surface should be rubbed with a soft cloth; with a matte surface, you just need to remove any excess paraffin.
You can use paraffin household candles to polish furniture.
Any furniture can be restored at home if the defects on it are not serious or multiple. Otherwise, it is better to entrust the work to professionals who will restore the attractiveness of old interior items and help extend their life.
Polish
To do this, you should use a “polish”, which not only polishes the surface, but also gives it an even shine. It fills all microcracks, restores and evens out the structure of the material. Thus, the polish prevents further damage to the coating. Some products also have qualities unique to antistatic agents. Customers are also offered products with fragrances to choose from, which not only make the surface of the furniture shiny, but also give it a pleasant smell.
Regular and timely treatment of the furniture surface allows you to avoid the negative effects of sunlight, water, and also get rid of traces of spilled coffee, dirty or greasy fingerprints. Thanks to this, the furniture will retain its original appearance for many years and will be protected from the destructive influence of time.
Choosing a polish
Depending on what material the furniture is made of, the choice of polish will depend, since some types of wood are strictly prohibited from being washed with a wet cloth.
Owners of laminated products can use almost any furniture care product. Polish containing wax is only suitable for wooden furniture. Thanks to the wax, the polish forms a kind of film on the surface of the product, which protects it from further damage.
Only special products that do not dry out the surface of the product are suitable for caring for varnish surfaces.
Modern furniture polishing products
A wide range of household chemicals offers various furniture care products. They differ from each other not only in pricing, but also in quality. Therefore, it is often very difficult for many buyers to make a choice in favor of which one specific brand.
- A popular brand of polish from SC Johnson. All products from this manufacturer clean furniture well from various contaminants and also mask damage. Pronto polish is excellent for processing marble, ceramic, wood, plastic and enamel surfaces;
- Emsal products contain not only natural oils, but also beeswax. Thanks to this, you can easily get rid of dust, grease and water stains. Natural beeswax not only carefully cares for the surface of furniture, but also prevents dust from settling;
- Among foreign manufacturers we can highlight the German company Oricont Luxus. The spray of the same name is suitable for treating any wooden surfaces. It removes dirt well from polished surfaces, painted furniture and natural-colored items. Does not leave behind streaks or unpleasant or pungent odors. The antistatic agent contained in this product protects against static electricity. In addition, it preserves the appearance of furniture in its original form and repels moisture from the surface of the product;
- The product from the Slovak company “Tatrachema” - Diava contains beeswax and also has an antistatic effect;
- The largest share in the Russian market is occupied by the Mebelux polish from the Arnest company. This product is ideal for caring for upholstered, cabinet furniture and wooden surfaces.
Source
Anti-scratch products
Oddly enough, in the kitchen you can also find a number of products that are suitable for restoring furniture with scratches.
Nuts
If you rub a defect with a walnut, it will be almost impossible to notice it. You can also grind the nuts into flour, add a little olive oil, and rub the damaged area. It is better to repeat this procedure once a week.
Using Walnut to Treat Scuffs
Mayonnaise
Fatty mayonnaise can be used to repair scratches on unpolished wood. A drop of the product is placed on the furniture, gently rubbed in, after a day the product is sanded and rubbed with a rag.
Small scratches can be disguised with mayonnaise
Lemon
Lemon is used together with vegetable oil. The juice of this fruit is mixed equally with sunflower or other oil, smeared on the defective area on wooden furniture, and polished with a lint-free cloth.
Making polish from lemon and vegetable oil
Using welding, you can mask small abrasions and shallow scratches. Brew a bag of black tea with a small amount of boiling water and leave for 20 minutes until the liquid becomes rich in color. Then soak a cotton pad in it and apply it to the scratch for a couple of minutes. This method will not work for light-colored furniture.
You can treat scratches on a wooden surface with a tea bag.
Instant coffee
A tablespoon of coffee should be diluted with water to make a thick paste. Place the mixture on the damaged area of the wood product, avoiding contact with other areas. After 5 minutes, remove excess with a cloth.
Coffee grounds for scratches
Vinegar with olive oil
This product is great for light polished furniture. Mix 50 g of oil and a teaspoon of table vinegar. The composition is applied to the abrasion, left for a day, then wiped the area with a rag.
Olive oil and vinegar for scratches
Fish fat
One capsule of fish oil is enough to repair a small defect on a wooden surface. The liquid is rubbed into the damaged area, left for 2 hours, then the greasy mark is removed with a rag.
You can treat scuffs on furniture with fish oil.
The best liquid polishes for furniture
The TOP of the best liquid polishes includes products from the following brands:
Next, we will dwell in more detail on the description of each product and list their advantages and disadvantages, rules of use and some precautions.
HG Marble Polish
A special polish designed for marble products and surfaces. A thin protective film forms on objects, thanks to which the surfaces do not soon become dusty and dirty. The composition gives surfaces an unsurpassed shine, has no pronounced odor, and is applied in small quantities. To apply the composition correctly, you need to prepare the surface, clean it thoroughly, and then rub in the polish with little physical effort. In addition to marble, other natural stone surfaces are also processed. Follow the instructions!
| Result of use | shiny natural stone surfaces |
| Packaging, ml | 300 |
| Production | Holland |
Price: about 663 rubles.
pros
- no pungent odor;
- no streaks or marks;
- carefully works on stone surfaces;
- a protective film is formed;
- antistatic effect.
Minuses
- rubs with great difficulty, requiring effort.
The polish is good, but there are many subtleties in application. If done incorrectly, stripes and stains will remain. In general, I applied it incorrectly the first time, but the second time I repeated the procedure, taking into account all the requirements. The result turned out good, I'm pleased. No other product has worked with natural stone before.
Pronto with lemon flavor
One of the popular and affordable furniture care products. The product contains silicone, thanks to which in a short time you will hide any imperfections in the furniture, renew it and give the items their original appearance. As a result, the surface shines. The consistency of the product is convenient - not liquid, but more like a cream, conveniently distributed over the surface. You only need a small amount of cream and it rubs in easily and quickly. You will smell a light lemon aroma for some time.
| Volume, ml | 300 |
| A country | Ukraine |
| Effect | gently polishes furniture, restores the natural beauty of wooden objects, removes fingerprints and other stains |
Price: from 99 to 136 rubles.
pros
- polishing of wooden products;
- special composition with a minimum content of surfactants;
- pleasant aroma;
- creamy consistency;
- cleans and polishes furniture;
- no divorces;
- hides flaws;
- Suitable for different types of materials and surfaces.
Minuses
- It takes a lot of product and gets used up quickly.
Good product! There is a lot of wooden furniture in the house; polish cleans it perfectly. The dust does not appear soon, but there is a pleasant aroma. I recommend it to anyone who cares about the cleanliness of their furniture and wants to return it to its original well-groomed appearance.
"Cinderella"
A fairly budget-friendly product that contains an active waxy substance. Thanks to wax, a special protective moisture-repellent film is created on the surface of the furniture, which also does not allow dust to settle on the product. Your surfaces remain clean for a long time; no streaks or greasy stains remain on the furniture. By the way, it is worth noting the light lemon aroma; it persists for several hours, after which it quickly dissipates. The lid is screwed on and has a special hole in it. Through it, the product is squeezed out in a certain amount. The consumption is economical, and this is its great advantage.
| Manufacturer | Russia |
| Package volume, ml | 250 |
| Effect of use | gentle cleaning of surfaces, polishing damage and scratches, antistatic effect, pleasant aroma |
Price: from 35 to 69 rubles.
pros
- antistatic agent;
- economical consumption;
- absorbs quickly without leaving marks or streaks;
- availability for purchase;
- light lemon aroma;
- ease of use.
Minuses
- Doesn't remove all contaminants.
Cinderella once saved old furniture. We transported it to the dacha, some surfaces were scratched, and there was plenty of dirt. We prepared the surfaces in advance and applied the product effortlessly. The furniture began to shine again, as if it had just been bought. Of course, I won’t say that the consumption is economical, as the manufacturer himself writes about it, but it is enough for a large number of surfaces - that’s a fact. And the effect is excellent, I still recommend it.
Special means
You can get rid of defects in a matter of minutes using specialized furniture compounds. Some of them have a fairly high price, but in stores you can always choose an option that suits the cost.
stain
This is a material in the form of a liquid or emulsion that is applied to wood to give it a specific color. Products of this type are very relevant for eliminating various shallow abrasions, especially those that affect only the surface layer of varnish.
Treating a wooden tabletop with stain
It is advisable to apply stain to the entire countertop and door, otherwise the treated area will stand out strongly. You should paint an inconspicuous area of the furniture first to make sure the color matches. Afterwards, you can saturate the product completely, and polish it as it dries.
Regular liquid paint
It is better to completely paint old furniture that has a lot of scuffs. To do this, you can purchase alkyd or acrylic paint in the color you like. After thorough sanding and degreasing, the surface is painted and dried, then coated with a finishing wood varnish.
Painting old furniture
Oil polish
If the furniture had a layer of polymer composition on top, for example, polyurethane, you can cover up the scratches using a special oil polish. First, the area with the defect is cleaned until smooth with fine-grain sandpaper, dipped in mineral oil, and then covered with polish. It forms a smooth, shiny surface, carefully filling cracks.
Watco wood polish
Mastic
Another composition with which scratch restoration is carried out quickly and reliably. Mastic restores gloss on damaged substrates, repairs mechanical defects: chips, cracks, marks from animal claws. You can buy the product ready-made or make it yourself:
- Melt 40 g of beeswax in a water bath.
- Add 30 g of turpentine.
- Combine the mass with 10 g of alcohol.
- Mix everything and remove from the stove.
- Treat the furniture with a warm mixture using rags.
Ingredients for making your own mastic
This mastic is especially suitable for removing white spots and abrasions that have formed on products made of natural wood or MDF.
Pencil
Wax pencils help hide scratches on furniture in one motion. They are sold in all construction stores and come in a variety of shades to match the color of the wood, so choosing the right tool will not be difficult. The damaged surface must be wiped from dust, dried, and then carefully rubbed with a pencil.
Anti-scratch wax pencils in various shades
Some compositions require preliminary melting, which can be done using a water bath or a regular household hair dryer. The device is aimed at a pencil, the wax from which will flow directly onto the defect. After drying, the furniture is thoroughly polished with a dry cloth.
Hatch
A touch-up for restoring chips is considered a professional product and looks like a stationery proofreader. It is used to cover shallow seams, remove tears, scratches, and abrasions. A composition of this type is easily applied to furniture or floors, sets quickly, and is resistant to moisture and temperature changes. The stroke does not leave marks and remains resistant to abrasion for a long time. It is applied to the defect after cleaning the surface, and as it dries, the furniture is coated with varnish.
Furniture touch Master City
Wood wax
Wax can be used to restore bulk items, and not just to fill minor scratches. Such compositions are sold in two forms:
- Soft. Easy to use, easily rubbed into the problem area in a circular motion. After 15 minutes, the unabsorbed excess wax is removed with a rag. This wax is well suited for laminated substrates and natural wood.
- Solid. They are professional products and melt before application. As the base is lubricated, it is polished and the composition is rubbed into the damaged areas.
Hard waxes for furniture restoration
Marker
Some brands of furniture paint (such as MinWax) come in marker form. They are very easy to use. It’s enough just to rub it over the scratch, and then wait for the composition to dry, which happens literally in a minute. To add shine after painting over the defect, use wood polish.
Minwax Scratch Removal Marker
The best cleaning polishes for furniture
Furniture should not be cleaned with chemical solvents or alkali. Manufacturers offer a wide range of beneficial products with a polish effect, which also effectively clean products from dirt and do not harm them:
Premium House
The product is designed to perform different types of cleaning. This multifunctional liquid easily returns a presentable appearance to wooden products and cleans them of various types of contaminants. After treatment with the product, a thin protective layer remains on the surfaces; it allows you to extend the life of wooden products and prevents the wood from drying out. It has an antistatic effect, so you will forget about dust for a while. In addition, the 500 ml package will last for a long time; the lid has a convenient dispenser spout.
| Manufacturer | Russia |
| Package volume, ml | 500 |
| Effect of use | well-maintained and updated wooden surfaces |
Price: from 179 to 200 rubles.
TOP 10 best polishing products
| Photo | Name | Rating | Price | |||
| The best glass polishes | ||||||
| #1 | Lique Moly Universal | ⭐ 100 / 100 | Find out the price | |||
| #2 | Hi-Gear Dashboard Cleaner | ⭐ 99 / 1001 – voice | Find out the price | |||
| #3 | Turtle Wax | ⭐ 98 / 100 | Find out the price | |||
| The best polishes for the home | ||||||
| #1 | Nihon Detergent | ⭐ 100 / 100 | Find out the price | |||
| #2 | Gallus | ⭐ 99 / 100 | Find out the price | |||
| #3 | Pronto "Lemon" | ⭐ 98 / 100 | Find out the price | |||
| #4 | Sano Leather Care | ⭐ 97 / 100 | Find out the price | |||
| #5 | Premium House | ⭐ 96 / 100 | Find out the price | |||
| The best polishes for cars | ||||||
| #1 | Doctor Wax | ⭐ 100 / 100 | Find out the price | |||
| #2 | Sonax | ⭐ 99 / 100 | Find out the price | |||
What polish would you choose or recommend?
Take the survey
Comparison table of characteristics
The table below presents the main characteristics of the brands in question. Compare them with each other and choose the polish that best suits your needs.
| The product's name | Variety | Volume, ml | Effect |
| HG Marble Polish | liquid | 300 | shiny natural stone surfaces |
| Pronto with lemon flavor | liquid | 300 | gently polishes furniture, restores the natural beauty of wooden objects, removes fingerprints and other stains |
| "Cinderella" | liquid | 250 | gentle cleaning of surfaces, polishing damage and scratches, antistatic effect, pleasant aroma |
| Chirton “Anti-dust” | aerosol | 300 | universal care for different types of surfaces, protection from dust and moisture |
| Gallus | aerosol | 750 | protective film, shine, no coloring elements |
| Premium House | cleaning | 500 | well-maintained and updated wooden surfaces |
| Nihon Detergent | cleaning | 400 | polishing and cleaning surfaces from various levels of dirt |
TOP 7 best furniture polishes: how to choose, features of use, reviews
The appearance of furniture changes under the influence of many factors. Excessive dryness in the room, excess dust, exposure to ultraviolet rays and much more negatively affects the condition of surfaces. In addition, any, even minor, human impacts on furniture can lead to deterioration in external performance. But you can avoid damage, and you can easily return the furniture to its original attractive appearance. To do this you will need a good quality polish.
We have compiled a rating that includes products of different levels of impact. Among them are liquid, aerosol and cleaning polishes. Check out the TOP and choose the ideal option that suits your furniture. We wish you pleasant reading and happy shopping in the future!
- The best liquid polishes for furniture
- HG Marble Polish
- Pronto with lemon flavor
- "Cinderella"
- The best aerosol polishes for furniture
- Chirton “Anti-dust”
- Gallus
- The best cleaning polishes for furniture
- Premium House
- Nihon Detergent
- Comparison table of characteristics
- User rating
- Instructions for use
- Tips for choosing
Instructions for use
To polish furniture with high quality, you need to:
- First prepare the surfaces. Clean them from dust and wipe them dry.
- Apply polish only to dry and clean surfaces using a soft cloth.
- If you have polish in an aerosol, then spray it at a distance of at least 30 centimeters from the surface.
- Squeeze the product in the form of a gel onto a sponge and begin treating the furniture.
- Using a little force will help the polish bond better with the surface and give you long-lasting results.
Types of polishes
Depending on their purpose, polishing agents are divided into the following types:
- household products for furniture;
- for metal;
- for auto;
- for glass;
- for plastic and vinyl.
Types of polishes
The release form is of the following types:
- liquid formulations;
- pastes;
- aerosols;
- solids.
Each of these types differs in composition and mechanism of action. Next, we will look at the best brands of polishes for the home, for the car, and options for glass.
Tips for choosing
When choosing a polish, first of all pay attention to the following criteria:
- Release form. Creams, gels, sprays - choose what suits your surfaces best. Products sometimes have limitations; they are used either on wood or metal. But there are many universal remedies.
- Compound. It is best to hide imperfections with products that contain wax as the active substance. The effect of such polishes lasts much longer than others. If the surface has faded, we recommend that you use products with coloring components.
- Protection. It will suit lacquered furniture. Such products form a thin film, which repels dirt and excess moisture.
Source
Polishing methods
There are several homemade mixtures for polishing polished furniture. They are not much inferior in their effectiveness to products purchased in stores:
- Vegetable oil and vinegar, mixed in equal proportions. Apply to the varnish layer with a soft cloth and rub into the surface.
- The plant extract of burdock oil works most effectively. The surface is wiped with a cotton swab soaked in the composition. Polished with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- A mixture of turpentine, flax oil with vinegar essence in a ratio of 2:2:1 is suitable for difficult cases. Restores the color of tarnished polished furniture. The composition is shaken until an emulsion is formed. The resulting solution is applied to the area with damaged coating.
Polishing is necessary constantly. Especially after using cleaning compounds. Application of polishing solutions is recommended using circular movements using soft, lint-free cloths.
The best polishes for cars
Today, according to motorists, the Sonax and Doctor Wax brands are recognized as the best means for protecting car windows and mirrors. Next, we will consider the features of these funds in detail.
Sonax
Sonax positions itself as a surface restoration product. This effect is due to the presence of a nanosapphire structure in its composition. This composition makes Sonax an ideal solution for combating defects in painted surfaces. The product does an excellent job of eliminating microcracks, scratches and cracks on the painted layer.
One of the great advantages of Sonax is its ability to easily remove paint from a surface. But it only copes with thin layers of paint – from 0.5 to 3 mm. Carnauba wax, which forms the basis of the product, allows you to form a thin barrier layer, which serves as protection against further damage.
Price from 270 rubles.
Sonax - car polishes
pros
- pronounced abrasive effect;
- eliminates traces of corrosion;
- creates a barrier layer against corrosion;
- restores the surface of materials such as aluminum, copper and steel;
- the consumption of funds is minimal.
Minuses
- high price;
- small volume in the container;
- There are restrictions on use - cannot be used on painted surfaces.
Polish Sonax
Video - Polishing the hood with SONAX polish
Doctor Wax
Doctor Wax is considered an excellent product for restoring plastic surfaces. But he doesn't stop there. It can be successfully used for polishing other parts of the car: bumper, headlights, side moldings, dashboard, small parts and rubber inserts.
The mechanism of action is as follows: when the product is applied to the surface, the cleaning components are activated, then the surface restoration process starts. Restoration occurs as a result of polymer filling of microcracks, scratches and other defects. As a result, a thin polymer film is formed that prevents further damage to the surface. This effect is achieved due to the complex reaction of the polymer and wax that make up Doctor Vax.
Doctor Wax
pros
- effectively smooths out surface defects not only on glass, but also on the body;
- eliminates dirt, regardless of the period of its appearance on the surface;
- creates a barrier layer for further protection of glass and mirrors;
- is able to completely eliminate cracks and small defects.
Minuses
- No shortcomings were found in this product.
Polish Doctor Wax
