The Cleaning Machine

Our homes are our safe havens, comforting bases in which we can rest, relax and be ourselves. They are also often chaotic messes that demand our attention, and elbow grease. Take advantage of your extended time indoors this season by rolling up those sleeves and giving that furniture a little TLC. Here’s how:

WOOD

Photo credit: woodfloordoctor.com

Hillsdale Furniture prides itself on its line of solid hardwood furniture, including beds, dressers, dining tables and entertainment centers. Wood can be a bit a bit of a cleaning conundrum though, since many popular cleansers can be corrosive. But you CAN use Murphy Oil Soap a mild detergent. It’s highly concentrated, so you only need a little bit to go a long way to clean wood furniture and floors. It can cut through old furniture polish, waxes or other such stubborn grime. Howard’s Feed-N-Wax is a great wood polish. Use after a wood oil treatment (like Danish oil), or just to periodically buff up your wood furniture after cleaning. 

METAL

Photo credit: aladyrevealsnothing.com

Metal is one of our favorite materials for barstool construction, and if yours are getting a lot of wear and tear, it may be time to bring out the big guns. Steel wool is sometimes essential when scrubbing very tough stains, but to play it safe, purchase finer-grade steel wool at the hardware store rather than the thick, rougher pads generally sold at grocery stores. Barkeeper’s Friend is an effective metal cleaner. It comes in a powder, is activated with a little water and cleans almost all types of metal with minimal scrubbing. Brasso is a metal polish that while a bit on the smelly side, can restore some of that new-store luster to your favorite pieces. 

KITCHEN & BATHROOM

Photo credit: armandhammer.com

We all know that the biggest cleaning challenges hang out in the kitchen and bathroom. Buy the largest containers of white vinegar available at the grocery store, as it’s great for deodorizing and disinfecting. It is especially good at breaking down calcium deposits in tubs and drains. One part water, one part vinegar is also highly effective (and safe) on wood floors. Baking soda is gentle but abrasive, and it’s good at cutting through grease, so it’s a great option for cleaning pots and pans, ovens and stove-tops  It’s also safer and cheaper than commercial cleaners. Mix one part baking soda with three parts warm water to eradicate messes of the “baked on” variety. Finally, a lint-free cloth is good for cleaning almost anything, including glass and acrylic, and wiping down counter-tops.

*Please make sure to read any care instructions that come with new furniture to ensure the best cleaning results.

Share your favorite cleaning tips with the Hillsdale Furniture crew in the comments below!