How To Clean Wood Paneling

Tips For Cleaning Wood Paneling

Besides the charm of beautiful grains, one of the attractions of wood paneling and natural woodwork is that they require very little upkeep. Generally speaking, the only maintenance required is simply dusting from ceiling to floor with a soft cloth or the vacuum cleaner brush. Regular removal of dust with a soft cloth, or vacuum cleaner brush is all the cleaning needed for most wood paneled walls. (An exception would be frequently touched woodwork like banisters that benefit from a natural oil base cleaner, such as Orange Glo® .)

Occasionally, some soil may stick to the surface - usually where there's a switch plate mounted. You'll notice a darkening around the plate or there may even be smudges from sticky fingers. There are a lot of commercial cleaners made for wood paneling that are available at home improvement stores. They come in the form of rub-on oils, sprays and waxes. Be sure to read the instructions, then test on a small inconspicuous area to be sure it does not damage the finish of the wood before starting to clean.

When cleaning wood, consider the finish. If it's a painted enamel surface, you can use a regular liquid household cleaning agent. However, hand-rubbed finishes, stained-wood or natural finishes require special care using a product that will not dull, discolor or stain the surface. The type of wood is not important, except when color is a consideration.

Genuine wood and synthetics can be cleaned the same way, as long as there's a protective coating of varnish or another sealant. With uncoated raw wood, such as some cedar paneling, cleaning can be risky.

An all-purpose cleaning solution that works on most paneling is made from a liquid dish detergent mixed with water. Start with a half cup of detergent to a gallon of warm water. Again, test a small spot on your paneling first. If the wood is old, it may soak up a lot of the water and you might not be happy with the result. Allow the test area to dry overnight. If you are satisfied, then tackle the rest of the job. When the finish is in good condition, it shields the wood so moisture will not be absorbed. You are really cleaning the finish and not the wood itself. Do not use strong alkalis or solvents. Use care if the shellac or vanish is cracked as moisture can penetrate.

Mentally divide the panel into sections and begin cleaning, one section at a time, from the bottom up to avoid drip lines. Apply the cleaning solution sparingly with a sponge, rinse the panel and then buff it dry. Do not leave the water on for very long as it will cause the finish to develop a white haze.

Attempting to clean bare wood can cause a huge problem because it is not sealed. The wood will soak up moisture like a sponge. Grease, crayon, markers and skin oil are also readily absorbed into the grain and are impossible to remove. The only real solution might be to apply a stain dark enough to masque the damage. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - if you are the one with the new unfinished panel, polish it regularly with polish and oil to keep to wood moist and in good condition. It will eventually age to a nice patina and, hopefully, all it will require is an occasional dusting!

So . . . are oils, waxes and polishes really helpful in cleaning and protecting wood finishes? Some manufacturers claim they are needed to preserve the wood itself. That might not be quite true. The finish is generally enough to protect the wood, and it is probably more accurate to say that waxes and polishes protect the protection!

Natural wood oils may be leached out by dry air in an overheated home. Oil polishes may help preserve a finish by replenishing the natural oils. Some of these products contain ingredients that dissolve built-up surface dirt, leave a nice glow and good smell. Polishes are useful as gloss-enhancers on low-luster finishes but do very little "shine-wise" for mirror-like coatings. A good wax polish spreads easily, doesn't cause build-up, resists staining, spotting and smudging. Most high-gloss mirror finishes require a different type of polish than used on matte or hand-rubbed finishes. Sometimes a wax works better, or a liquid that dries to a haze and is then buffed to a shine.

You can make a good substitute for commercial wood cleaning products by combining a mild detergent with a little vegetable oil for shine. A lemon-scented liquid dish detergent would be a good choice. Use a quarter cup of detergent to a tablespoon of oil; mix with a quart of warm water. Apply and lightly rub with a clean cloth; then, using a dry soft cloth, buff to a nice shine.

Cleaning Uncoated or Unfinished Wood Paneling:

1. Brush paneling with soft brush, like used for washing cars.
2. If the surface is smooth, you may go over lightly with a damp cloth.
3. Once dry, oil paneling with a wood treatment recommended by the manufacturer or by a local cabinetmaker.

Cleaning Finished Wood Paneling:

1. Dust panel from the top down.
2. Beginning at the top, apply oil soap solution sparingly with a sponge.
3. When the sponge gets dirty, rinse with clean water and squeeze into an empty bucket (not the cleaning water).
4. Buff the paneling dry with a clean cotton terry cloth, wiping with the grain to hide the occasional skip or streak.

You can clean any sealed wood surface this way. DO NOT leave the solution on for more than a minute or two. The oil in the soap/oil solution will cause the paneling to glow. It eliminates the need to apply other panel polishes which tend to leave a sticky surface that collects and holds dust, dirt, and handprints.