Using commercial furniture polishes while cleaning wooden furniture is a common practice in various households. However, do you know that you might be damaging your furniture and reducing its life in the process?
There are 3 main types of polishes available in the market – liquid, semi-solid and aerosol sprays. Let’s have a quick look at their advantages and drawbacks.
1. Liquid Polishes
Liquid polishes are quite easy to use and come in two main forms – emulsions (water-based) and oils. Both these polishes are great for restoring the shine to your furniture. However, the shine will be short-lived as the liquid will dry soon. Moreover, as the liquid dries further, it becomes harder and takes on a yellow-brown sheen – making the furniture look even duller and dirty. The problem with oil emulsions is that dust and debris can easily get trapped onto the wet surface, and once these oils are dry, they are quite hard to remove without damaging the surface. So, you need to choose wisely!
2. Semi-Solid Polishes
Semi-solid polishes are quite concentrated in nature and are known to be the best for wooden furniture. These do not contain any silicones and other harmful chemicals. Hence they are the most recommended polishes for wooden objects. Moreover, since they are wax-based, they do not deteriorate over time. However, applying and buffing these waxes is a tedious process. Known to be one of the most durable furniture polishes, it does not need to be frequently applied either – saving you a lot of money in the long run.
3. Aerosol Sprays
Several people opt for this option due to the convenience of the spray. However, aerosols can severely damage the finishing and surface of your furniture, as they project various chemicals such as silicone oils onto your furniture. Moreover, these chemicals will be inhaled by the individuals present in the house – causing serious damage to their lungs and overall health. The solvents present in these sprays can harm the lacquer and varnishing of the furniture. Therefore, investing in aerosol sprays will not be a good idea.
The best thing to do is only to use the products recommended by your furniture manufacturer, and that, too, in limited quantities. Using a microfiber cloth to dust the surface on a regular basis is a lot better option than using chemical-based polishes, as it takes out all the dirt without damaging the surface or your health.
