How To Clean Unfinished Wood Table? 7 Tips That Always Work

How to clean unfinished wood table? There are 7 tips to completely clean all dirt and stains in all positions on unfinished wooden tables. Take the time to read these tips below to save time cleaning your table.

How To Clean An Unfinished Wood Table?

About how to clean unfinished wood table, there are two things to consider are your choice of cleaners or tools and how stubborn the stains are. Based on that, here are some tips for cleaning unfinished wood table top:

1. Tip 1. Wipe Dust And Debris Away

You need a microfiber cloth and a soft bristle brush to clear all the dust and debris stuck in the wood. All you have to do is wipe along the table with the cloth and then use the brush to sweep away everything in the crevices.

Only use a microfiber cloth and a soft bristle brush
Photo: On Freepik

2. Tip 2. Remove Dirt And Stains

To remove dirt and stains, you should avoid using strong detergents because unfinished wood is very absorbent and abrasive. Instead, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water. Vinegar is essentially an acid, so it has a good cleaning effect and is also safer than strong chemicals.

Every time you clean a wooden table, mix vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio, then spray it on the surface and wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth. Remember, you have to wipe until the table is completely dry, don’t let the solution sit for too long because it can penetrate inside and damage the wood.

Vinegar has a good cleaning effect
Photo: On Freepik

3. Tip 3. Pull Up Dirt

There are some erasing compounds for unfinished wood available in stores that you can use to pull up dirt. About how to clean unfinished wood table with erasing compounds, you just need to apply a small amount of the cleaner to the table surface and use a cotton pad to gently wipe the wood grain in a circular motion. Once finished, you use a vacuum cleaner to remove all the wood dust and remnants of the erasing compound. 

There are two things to keep in mind. One, when the erasing compound turns black or gray, you need to reapply it. Two, don’t rub the wood too hard as this can cause abrasion to the surface.

You should use erasing compound with a cotton pad
Photo: On Freepik

4. Tip 4. Remove Stubborn Grime

If the wood is still new and good, you can use a stiff brush to remove the stubborn grime and dirt deep inside the wood fibers. After finishing, you use a vacuum cleaner to clean everything. With this method, you need to pay attention to the force when using the brush. If you scrub too hard, it can cause the surface to be worn or create irreparable scratches.

Only use a stiff brush if the wood is still new and good
Photo: On Freepik

5. Tip 5. Remove Stricter Grime And Build up

How to clean unfinished wood table that has stubborn dirt and build up? You can use a mineral spirit, it’s a cleaner that many painters use to clean their brush because of its strong cleaning power. All you need to do is dampen a towel with a small amount of mineral oil and gently wipe the surface of the unfinished wood table. 

Remember, don’t let the mineral spirit touch your skin and don’t inhale the smell as it is a harmful chemical. You should also only use a small amount of mineral oil, if you use too much, it can damage the wood.

Don’t let the mineral spirit touch your skin and don’t inhale the smell
Photo: On Freepik

6. Tip 6. Use A Mild Wood Cleaner Or Dish Soap

If dirt or stains are too stubborn to remove, you can try a mild wood cleaner or a mixture of dish soap and water. First, you ake a dry cloth, dip it in the solution, wring it out so that it’s not too wet, then wipe the table surface. Or you can pour a little detergent on the table and use a soft bristled brush to scrub along the direction of the wood grain.

A mild wood cleaner or dish soap can be used to remove stubborn dirt or stains
Photo: On Freepik

7. Tip 7. Clean Hard To Reach Areas

About how to clean an unfinished wood table that has small or hard to reach areas and crevices, you can use adhesive rubber. You just simply apply the rubber to the wood surface and press down so that the rubber fills all the wood fibers. At this point, dirt and debris will stick to the rubber and when you remove the rubber, the dirt will also be removed.

Adhesive rubber can be use to clean hard to reach areas
Photo: On Freepik

What To Avoid When Cleaning Unfinished Wood?

So you know how to clean unfinished wood table with 7 tips above. But there are some things you shouldn’t do when cleaning the wood. Here are things you have to avoid:

• Harsh chemicals and cleaners: Unfinished wood is quite weak and susceptible to liquids. Using harsh chemicals and cleaners can cause the wood to absorb these substances, which leads to a chemical reaction and deep penetration.

• Using too much water: Unfinished wood is very susceptible to water, which can cause the wood to rot or deteriorate. Over time, the wood will swell, warp, crack or develop mold.

• Use abrasive materials for cleaning: Cleaning tools made from materials that easily rub and corrode wood will create scratches and damage the soft surface of the wood. These scratches are often very difficult to handle, reducing the aesthetics of the table.

• Using a steam mop: Steam mops often create high temperatures that cause damage, leading to warping, bending and discoloration of the wood.

• Over-cleaning: Every time you clean, the wood surface will be subjected to friction and exposure to many types of detergents or solvents. If this happens frequently, it will cause the wood to wear out, lose its shape or natural wood color.

• Let liquids sit: Liquids that sit on wood surfaces for long periods of time will create stains and discoloration that are difficult or impossible to remove.

• Using Polishing Products: Polishing products contain many chemicals, impurities and possibly dyes. If you use them to polish unfinished wood, they can easily leave a sticky residue or make the surface uneven.

Something to avoid when you clean unfinished wood table
Photo: On Freepik

Still want to know more about unfinished wood? Follow the articles on the Lumber Grand website.

And that is how to clean unfinished wood table. In short, cleaning unfinished wood tables is not difficult. The problem is which tools and cleaners you should choose. If you want to keep things simple, follow the tips above.