How to Polish Wood

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A simple guide on how to clean and polish wood in your home
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Polishing a wood floor can enhance the wood’s natural colors while protecting it from wear and tear. Whether you're looking to spruce up a piece of solid wood furniture, shine some hardwood floors, or add finish to some raw wood, polishing is a great way to add shine and longevity to any wood you have. No matter the size of your project, polishing wood is a fairly straightforward process that you can do by yourself!

This article is based on an interview with our house cleaning specialist, Eduardo Peralta. Check out the full interview here.

Things You Should Know

  • Use a general wood floor or furniture polish. For a more specific look, you can polish wood with lacquer, linseed oil, varnish, or shellac.
  • Apply polish to furniture using a microfiber cloth. Work in the direction of the grain and apply multiple layers as desired.
  • For wood floors, use a flat-surface mop to spread the polish out in the direction of the floorboards.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Setup and Prep Work

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  1. If you are looking for a simple solution, pick up any general furniture or floor polish . These polishes will be versatile and easy to use, so if all you’re looking for is a nice shine then these will get the job done. [1]
    • If you are looking for something more advanced, look into using linseed , tung oil , shellac , varnishes , or lacquers . Be aware that varnishes, lacquers, and some mixtures of oils emit toxic fumes and will require extra safety precautions.
    • You don't need to polish newer, modern wood if it already looks and feels finished. Most modern furniture and flooring come pre-polished and sealed. [2]
    • Only use wax over non-oil polishes, such as shellac or lacquer. [3]
  2. Most polishes are non-toxic, but they can still be pretty pungent. If you’re polishing a piece of furniture with a product that emits strong fumes, it is safest to work outside. If you need to work inside or are polishing a hardwood floor, open all of the windows in the room or use fans to increase air circulation. [4]
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  3. If you are polishing furniture, move other furniture, decorations, and plants away from the furniture you’re polishing. If you are working on carpet, put down a tarp to prevent staining in case you spill any polish. If you’re polishing floors, remove all of the furniture.
    • Be sure to make sure any pets or kids cannot enter your work area as you polish, especially if you’re using a polish or solvent that emits fumes. [5]
  4. Use either a professional-grade wood cleaner or a mixture of hot water and dish soap. Wipe down the furniture and floors with a cloth. For furniture, briskly wipe down the surface with a damp microfiber cloth before drying with a dry microfiber cloth. For floors, sweep the area with a broom or wood-safe vacuum and then mop.
    • Air dry the wood for a few hours after drying it by hand just to ensure there’s no moisture in the wood. It's important to dry the wood a little by hand before letting it air dry since wet wood can warp or rot.
    • You can also spray the entire area with a floor-cleaning solution before mopping if the floor is particularly dirty. [6]
  5. The polish may have unexpected effects on the wood, so test it out first. Work a touch of polish into the wood and let it dry. If you like the look, go ahead and finish polishing. If you don’t like it, you can choose a different polish. [7]
    • This is also a great way to see if any floors have a layer of laminate if you weren’t sure. Laminate will prevent the polish from sticking to the surface. [8]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Furniture

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  1. Dampen a dry microfiber cloth with a wax remover and wipe along the grain of the wood. Wait until it is completely dry to ensure that you won’t damage the wood, then wipe off any excess dirt or wax with a dry microfiber cloth. [9]
    • You can use 0000 steel wool to gently sand away any marks or stains.
    • Test your wax remover on an inconspicuous area before covering the entire piece of furniture.
    • If you don’t have any wax remover, use a 1-to-1 ratio of hot water and club soda.
  2. Scoop up a dollop of wax with a dry microfiber cloth. This will allow the polish to absorb into the cloth without applying so much that it will begin pooling on the furniture. Rub the cloth along the grain of the wood to work in the polish.
    • If you’re using a thinner polish that’s closer to a liquid, pour a little into your cloth instead of scooping it up.
    • Make sure to get in all crevices and corners. Open cabinets or drawers to polish the joints and interior spaces.
  3. After the first layer dries, your furniture should be glossy, but you can continue adding layers to achieve the finish you want. If you add additional layers, work in a new pattern. Go against the grain or use circular motions to build the polish up.
    • Follow the polish’s guidelines when it comes to how long you wait between layers. Most polishes need around 4-8 hours of drying time.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Floors

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  1. Without planning this out first, you could accidentally corner yourself far from a door and be forced to either walk over the wet polish or stay in place until it dries. It is best to begin in a back corner opposite a door and work across the floor in rows. [10]
    • Polish can stain baseboards and drywall, so be careful not to splash the walls. If you are concerned about this, place blue painter’s tape around the bottom of the baseboards as a protective measure.
  2. Rub the polish into the floor with a flat-surface mop . Pour a cupful of polish on the floor and begin working the polish into the wood with a back-and-forth motion. Work parallel to the grain of the wood. Slowly add polish as you feel like you’re running out. Aim for applying thin layers so that the polish dries quickly and evenly. [11]
    • Apply polish in the corners and edges with a natural-bristle brush .
    • Continue applying the polish until you’ve completed the room or area you want to cover.
  3. Heavy furniture may scratch your freshly applied polish, so wait until the floors are completely dry before bringing any back in. If you would like a smoother finish, feel free to use a 100-grain sanding pole between layers. Clean the floors and wipe with a tack rag after sanding. [12]
    • Do not sand the final layer. This will dull the finish of the polish.
  4. Place rugs at entryways to prevent tracking dirt, or ask guests and family to remove their shoes before entering the home. Place rugs near sinks to prevent water damage. Sweep and vacuum regularly to prevent scratches. [13]
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  • Question
    Can you polish wood with olive oil?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes! Try mixing up 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice. Wipe the mixture onto the furniture with a soft cloth, then gently buff it away with a towel using circular motions. This works best on furniture that already has an oiled finish.
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  • Question
    How can I shine my wooden furniture at home?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Using either a commercial furniture polish or a homemade polish, spray the solution onto a soft cloth. Wipe it over the furniture, following the grain of the wood. Use a soft-bristle brush to help work the solution into any grooves on the furniture. Buff away the polish with a dry, soft, lint-free towel.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    What can I use instead of furniture polish?
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    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Try mixing olive oil, linseed oil, or vegetable oil with vinegar or lemon juice. You can also use a combination of beeswax and turpentine (white spirits).
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/wood-furnishings-care/
      2. ↑ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-30-hm-51540-story.html
      3. ↑ https://www.finewoodworking.com/2004/11/01/selecting-a-finish
      4. ↑ https://www.oregonmetro.gov/tools-living/healthy-home/common-hazardous-products/paint-and-clear-wood-finish
      5. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/step-by-step-basics-how-to-polish-wood-furniture-173882
      6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-polish-wood-floors/
      7. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/step-by-step-basics-how-to-polish-wood-furniture-173882
      8. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-polish-wood-floors/
      9. ↑ https://hg.eu/uk/tips/how-to-remove-furniture-wax
      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-polish-wood-floors/
      2. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-polish-wood-floors/
      3. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-polish-wood-floors/
      4. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-polish-wood-floors/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To polish wood, start by cleaning it with a wood cleaner or hot soapy water to get rid of any dirt and debris. Then, dry the surface with a microfiber cloth, since leftover moisture could damage the wood. When your surface is dry, test your polish on a corner to make sure it doesn’t damage your wood. If the polish dries and your wood looks fine, wipe your surface with wax remover. Once you’ve gotten rid of the wax, apply a thin layer of polish to the whole surface with a microfiber cloth. Wipe along the wood’s grain to keep the polish consistent. If you want your wood to be shinier, keep adding thin layers until you’re happy with how it looks. For more tips, including how to quickly polish a wooden floor, read on!

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