How to Clean Pine Furniture

Cleaning pine furniture is relatively simple. You should try and clean your pine furniture regularly to preserve the natural beauty of the wood.

While cleaning pine is quite simple, care should still be taken not to damage the wood in any way. There’ll be more on that below in our step-by-step guide on how to clean pine furniture.

Cleaning Pine Furniture Step by Step

Step 1: Dust the surface

Begin by dusting the pine furniture with a soft, dry cloth or a duster. Removing dust and debris prevents it from scratching the wood during the cleaning process.

Doing this as part of your regular cleaning sessions will also reduce how often you’ll need to clean your wooden furniture moving forward.

Step 2: Prepare a cleaning solution

Mix a mild cleaning solution by adding a few drops of washing-up liquid to a bowl of warm water.

Avoid using strong chemical cleaners, like bleach, for example. This can strip the natural oils and finish off the surface of the pine.

Step 3: Test in an inconspicuous area

Before applying the cleaning solution to the entire piece, test it in a small, hidden area to ensure it doesn’t cause any damage or discolouration.

Step 4: Dampen a soft cloth

Dip a soft, lint-free cloth (a microfibre cloth is perfect for this) into the cleaning solution. Wring it out well, so it’s damp but not soaking wet.

Step 5: Wipe the surface

Gently wipe down the pine furniture with the damp cloth. At first, use circular motions to ensure all the dirt is lifting off.

Once the dirt has gone, follow the direction of the wood grain to avoid leaving streaks.

Step 6: Spot cleaning

For stubborn spots or stains, you can use a slightly dampened soft-bristled toothbrush or a cotton bud to spot-clean the area.

Step 7: Remove excess moisture

After cleaning, use a dry, clean microfibre cloth to remove any excess moisture from the wood surface.

Go over the surface multiple times to ensure it is as dry as possible, and then let it air dry for at least half an hour.

Step 8: Apply furniture polish (optional)

If you want to bring back some shine and nourish the wood, you can apply a small amount of good-quality furniture polish.

This will protect the wood moving forward too, so it will save you some time on cleaning. FurnitureClinic Wood Beeswax Polish is suitable for all wood types, and a little goes a long way. You’ll likely have this tin in your cleaning cupboard for many years to come.

Things to Avoid When Cleaning Pine Furniture

Here are a few things to avoid when cleaning pine furniture.

Harsh abrasives and chemicals

Pine wood is relatively soft, so please avoid using harsh abrasives or scrubbing pads while cleaning. These will likely scratch or damage the surface of the finish or the wood itself.

Strong chemicals can also ruin the finish or the wood itself. Bleach can discolour pine or eat through the finish.

Remember, pine is a softwood, and its surface can easily get scratched or dented. Treating it gently and avoiding harsh chemicals will help maintain its natural beauty and extend its lifespan.