We know that YOU know that we should all wash our face (literally and figuratively.) But it's also true that occasionally, you need to wash your furniture. ![]() Rachel Hollis makes a good metaphorical point with the title of her best-selling book. And the same general philosophy holds true for furniture. This past week, Sherri and I tackled some pieces that desperately needed to be scrubbed to reveal their authentic selves. It all started with two antique washstands that we pulled out of a barn in Williamson county a while back, then plunked on our back porch until we got a chance to focus on them. It's a testament to their craftsmanship and great hardwoods that they're still relatively square and not rotted away. But were they ever NASTY. Nearly every creature living near us has tried to make a home in them - birds, bees, mice and probably a few other things we don't want to think about. What do you do with a piece that filthy? For starters, work outdoors, because this is going to get messy.
The other piece was a 1940s buffet - it is in great shape, structurally speaking. But years of wax and dirt buildup had left it dull, sticky, and....frankly....a little smelly. For this job, we used some Murphy's Oil Soap. It's great for helping remove wax buildup, gently and safely. However, before we paint, we'll go over it once more with a TSP (trisodium phosphate) or other degreaser/deglosser to be sure we've stripped all the surface oils and waxes off. So before you start re-invinaging a piece, be sure it's clean and dry. And that might just mean washing your furniture. Questions or comments about cleaning furniture? Leave 'em below! Happy Friday! Terry |
Meet the AuthorsWe're Terry & Sherri, known by some as the Southern Pickin' Chicks. We do love to pick, and paint, polish and press our finds before we offer them to our fans and friends. Follow along on our adventures! Archives
November 2019
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