Show Demonstration Agent Says Gentle Careful Cleaning Keeps Wood Finishes Best sy By Carolyn Garrison Extension Agent Are you sprucing up for the Christmas holidays JC If you are arc arct t r doing a sp special bit of oC house housecleaning housecleaning I cleaning remember that even I all wood needs a good cleaning if IC its natural beauty is isto IsIto I Ito to be maintained One of the I serious mistakes many people I make is In the over use of pot pol and sort soft waxes in an at tempt to keep or make their furniture beautiful at minimum expense of oC time and effort Often tim the furniture is the least care pro viding of oC cours that you use recommended methods and sup plies A MOST effective mixture for cleaning all clear finishes in in- in eluding oil is 3 tablespoons I boiled linseed oil 1 tablespoon turpentine and 1 quart hot wa ter You must be sure to keep this mixture hot while it Is be Ing used Clean only a small section at ata ata a time using a soft clean near ly Iy dry cloth the cloth in inthe inthe the solution and wa wash h the area until it Is clean The next st step p pIs Is to dry it with a clean bent cloth and rub the area un un- un tit tIl alt all of the oil all is removed Jf If you allow boiled linseed oil to remain on the wood it wilt will be come tacky THIS SOLUTION not only cleans the wood w it also alo protects the finish The hot water and turpentine removes the soil and the tha boiled linseed oil lubricates the wood This helps to prevent hairline checks In hu the finish It also makes checks already in inthe Inthe the wood much less noticeable To clean lacquer and varnish base basl finishes use 8 a liquid wax that Is made especially for cleaning furniture woods Pour Poura a small amount onto a pad made of soft absorbent cloth Rub over the area using enough wax to completely remove the soil Follow this with a dry clean cloth folding the soiled part of oC the cloth in and rub bing I g until all soil a and wax are re removed EV EVENTUALLY E Y any wax will build up masking the beauty of the natural wood grain This wax can he be removed with a cloth or very fine steel wool dampened with turpentine or mineral spirits Rub dry with a clean cloth after application To clean synthetic leather and other waterproof materials wash with a well wrung sponge using a solution of tepid water and mild soap Never Ne use de Rinse the material im hn mediately and then buff with a adry adry dry towel Neither oil nor wax should be used on leatherlike leather like materials If you have questions or pro concerning your household cleaning call the Extension of lice flee and request the bulletin Clean Your Home Better in inthe the he r GOs GO's |