Wood Furniture and Woodwork Cleaner with Castile Soap
A gentle wipe for sealed wooden furniture and painted woodwork that removes fingerprints and light grime without soaking the wood.
Takes 2 minutes · Makes 500 ml
What you’ll need
- 1 tsp
- 500 ml
Distilled water
- Premium Microfibre Cloth
Method
- Add 1 tsp Organic Castile Soap to 500 ml distilled water.
- Pour the mixture into a Trigger Spray Bottle and shake gently.
- Spray lightly onto a Premium Microfibre Cloth, rather than directly onto the wood.
- Wipe the surface gently, then dry immediately with a clean, dry cloth.
Sealed wooden furniture, painted woodwork and other washable surfaces.
Very little soap is needed to lift skin oils and dust from a sealed finish. Drying straight away stops water from sitting in joints and seams.
The science: How oils become soap (ScienceDirect) →
Waxed floors:
Do not use Castile Soap on waxed or oiled wood floors, because it could break down the wax.
Mixing with acids:
Since Castile Soap is alkaline, you shouldn’t mix it directly with acidic substances like lemon juice, Citric Acid or vinegar. Acid will react with the soap itself and break apart the soap molecules and neutralise its effects.
Hard Water:
Whilst Castile Soap is a very reliable and mild cleaner, it can leave a residue on shiny or hard surfaces, especially when it’s used with hard water (the soap reacts with minerals from the water to form a salt). Use Castile Soap with distilled water if you live in a hard water area or cut through the leftover residue by applying an acid rinse afterwards like this Citric Acid solution: 1tsp Citric Acid in 250ml, spray onto surfaces and wipe away any residues.
Once prepared, this spray will last for approximately 4 to 8 weeks. For optimal shelf life, store it properly labeled in amber or dark bottles to protect it from light. If it starts to look or smell off before the 8-week mark, discard it and make a fresh batch.
Store Castile Soap sealed tightly, in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Our fragrance-free Organic Castile Soap is hypoallergenic, pet- and skin-safe, which means it’s less likely to cause allergic reactions than other types of soap. Needs dilution: If you don’t dilute Castile Soap with water, it can be very concentrated. This can make it hard on surfaces and the skin.
B&M Pro-Tip 1:
Less is more when cleaning wood. Less is more when cleaning wood. Spray lightly onto the cloth rather than the surface, and always dry the wood afterwards.
B&M Pro-Tip 2:
Orange or Lemon Essential Oil are classic choices for sealed wood furniture. Which oil for which job →
Quick questions
Can I use it on oiled oak furniture?
No. Soap slowly breaks down oil and wax finishes. Use a dry or barely damp cloth instead.
How do I know if my wood is sealed?
Put a drop of water on a hidden spot. If it beads, it’s sealed; if it soaks in, it isn’t.
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