While nothing beats solid wood when it comes to furniture, there is no denying most of today’s furniture is made from pressed wood and plastic wood-like veneers.
These modern furniture materials are pretty popular nowadays, ranging from that popular kitchen cabinet to that fancy-looking table.
However, it happens your pressed wood table doesn’t seem to get clean. You believe it is pressed wood with a top finish which you thought would protect and keep it clean.
Now you have a case of dirt, food, and drink stains all over, plus you are left wondering how to clean pressed wood furniture. Should you try the classic soap and water? Will a simple wet wipe do the job? What are the ways to clean the pressed wood without damage? Let’s find out the answers.
Table of Contents
How to Clean Pressed Wood
Pressed wood has been a cut above the rest for modern-day furniture material. As the name implies, this furniture type is made from wood particles, sawdust, or wood shavings with veneers bonded uasing adhesives through heat and pressure.
The by-products of the pressed wood include wood materials such as plywood, fiberboards, and particle boards. These pressed wood surfaces also feature a laminated cover or veneer that does not easily stain or scratch.
But despite being easy to maintain and keep clean, you are bound to get irreversible stains which could prove difficult to clean. So, how do you go about this, considering the pressed wood will disintegrate whenever wet?
Dusting
If your pressed wood furniture cleaning requires minimal contact with water, it is best to try dusting first. Here, you will need to use a brush attachment and get rid of any dust or debris stuck between the wood grains and the laminated surface.
The dusting process is pretty much straightforward, with only an oil-free dusting spray necessary to give you a headstart on cleaning the pressed wood. This dusting spray traps all the dust and other allergens atop the furniture making it easier to clean or wipe off with a cloth.
Warm Soapy Water
While dusting takes wiping off surface-level dirt, you can count on warm soapy water to help get rid of the stubborn stains on your pressed wood furniture.
However, washing with warm soapy water is relatively mild and should not get the wood furniture wet. Here’s how to get the cleaning done with warm soapy water
Step 1
Wipe the area to clean with a dry cloth to remove any dust or debris on the surface.
Step 2
Prepare a soap solution by mixing warm water and a squirt of liquid dishwashing soap. Stir for the solution to mix well till it is soapy enough
Step 3
Get a clean cloth and dampen it with the warm water solution. Just be sure it is not overly wet enough to damage your pressed wood furniture.
Step 4
Spot clean the stained area by wiping the pressed wood furniture with the damp cloth. In circular motions, scrub the most stained regions till all the dirt, residue, and buildups are removed. If marks are on the pressed wood, check that the wiping cloth is not too wet and get it wringed again.
Step 5
Once the pressed wood is clean, get cold water to rinse the stained area, then dry using a dish towel or dry paper towel. Rinsing with cold water helps remove any soap solution on the pressed wood surface. Remember, soap, or the cleaning solution can ruin your pressed wood after settling on the surface for a long time.
Baking Soda Solution
If stubborn stains and dirt such as grease prove too challenging to get out, you can always try a basic household cleaning solution. As it stands, the baking soda found in your kitchen can come in handy since it is a mild abrasive which easily dissolves organic compounds like dirt and stickies.
Even better, the cleaning process is relatively simple and leaves no scratches behind, with no scrubbing necessary.
For cleaning with baking soda, here’s the process
Step 1
Take equal parts of baking soda and hot water inside a bowl.
Step 2
Mix the baking soda and hot water till paste forms. Don’t have the paste full of water, which will damage the pressed wood.
Step 3
Take the baking soda paste and gently spread it on the stained area or furniture. Get a soft bristle brush to apply this throughout the pressed wood furniture in circular motions. Don’t work the brush too hard as this will have the baking soda paste sip into the table.
Step 4
Using cold water, rinse all the paste off to reveal the stain removal.
Step 5
Wipe with a clean, dry cloth
Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is another natural multipurpose cleaner with all kinds of use as a cleaning solution in the household. Likewise, vinegar would be helpful because it can be an effective and inexpensive way to keep your compressed wood furniture looking clean and new. Yes! Often, it is even better than using commercial cleaning products that may be toxic. Here’s how vinegar can help in your pressed wood cleaning scenario.
Step 1
Start by wiping any dirt or debris on the furniture using a dry cloth.
Step 2
Prepare the homemade cleaning solution by mixing warm water in a bucket with equal parts of vinegar. You can also combine the solution inside a spray bottle to spread evenly on the wood.
Step 3
Dampen the cleaning cloth inside the vinegar solution but be sure not to wet it too much. After dipping, wring the cloth and wiping the pressed wood furniture or stain area.
Step 4
Wet another cleaning cloth, this time one dipped in water. Use this damp cloth to clean off the vinegar residue and smell from the surface of your pressed wood furniture. This eliminates the awful smell that builds up after vinegar use.
Step 5
Get a dry towel and wipe off any excess water spots to avoid damage to the wood.
Wrapping Up
Your pressed wood furniture is an attractive addition to your household and should not be an eyesore bound to happen. Luckily, learning how to clean pressed wood furniture will help you clean your furniture piece on a budget and in the right way.
So, be sure to try out our cleaning tips and get your pressed wood items shining with style and class.