There are many products on the market available for furniture care. To maintain the finish, clean the surface with a damp washcloth and wipe dry. Cleaners such as Pledge and Murphy’s Oil Soap are not recommended because they leave a dull residue on the finish. Also, you should never use products containing ammonia on water base finishes. Polishes such as lemon oil or orange oil work well for routine maintenance. The following are some tips on the different types of polishes.
Day to Day Care
General Finishes Orange Oil is by far the most popular. It can be used on any finish and does a superb job of removing everyday dirt and dust. It is often compared to lemon oil - however the big difference is that lemon oil contains mineral spirits. Orange Oil is all natural, non-combustible and made from real orange rinds. We love its fresh orange scent.
care of cutting boards and wood counters
Butcher Block Oil from General Finishes is the preferred method to maintain butcher blocks or any other surface that comes into contact with food such as salad bowls, cutting boards and wooden utensils. Our product is made from FDA approved mineral oil
care for open pore finishes
Oil and Wax from General Finishes has the same citrus base as orange oil with the addition of natural beeswax. Its recommended use is on Danish Oil finishes that do not employ a surface sealing finish. The oils will penetrate into the wood while the wax seals the surface, maintaining a beautiful, rich luster.
multi-purpose finishing wax
Satin Finishing Wax (natural or dark) is a dual-purpose product. It can be used as a polish for rubbing out new finishes or as a scratch remover for worn surfaces. It works well over both oil and water based finishes, including Danish Oil. We recommend a wet sanding process followed by buffing to a soft silky sheen.
heavy duty cleaning care
Furniture Cleaner is our strongest heavy duty cleaner with a mineral spirits base and is designed for serious cleaning applications. Apply with a 0000 grade steel wool to remove old oils, wax and grease from any wood surface. After the surface is clean, apply General Finish's topcoats or Satin Wax to bring back luster.