Homemade Natural Furniture Polish
We can establish healthier homes and at the same time save a lot of money by replacing chemical- and fragrance-laden furniture polish with homemade natural formulas.
Cost: $5
Equipment
- Blender or Food Processor for Recipe #1 (optional)
- 12-ounce or larger spray bottle for Recipes #1 and #2
- empty coffee can for Recipe #3
- double-boiler for Recipe #3
Ingredients
WOOD FURNITURE POLISH #1
- 1 cup olive oil, see NOTE 1
- ½ cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
WOOD FURNITURE POLISH #2
- ⅓ cup boiled linseed oil, see NOTE 2
- ⅓ cup turpentine
- ⅓ cup white vinegar
WOOD FURNITURE POLISH #3
- ⅔ cup beeswax, see NOTE 3
- 3 cups Jojoba oil
Instructions
WOOD FURNITURE POLISH #1
- You will have the best results if you use a blender or food processor to get the ingredients to emulsify, in much the same way you would make salad dressing.
- Pour the lemon juice and vinegar into the blender jar or food processor bowl, then start the machine and pour in the oil very, very slowly until all is combined or "emulsified."
- Pour into a spray bottle, at least 12-ounce size, or other bottle or jar that has a tightly fitting lid. Apply the container's lid or sprayer top and label clearly
- TO USE: Add apply a small amount of the mixture with a soft cloth and buff to a shine. Use sparingly! A little of this mixture will go a long way. It is best to start with a small amount on your cloth, adding more as necessary. If you leave too much oil on furniture it will act as a magnet to attract the dust you’re trying to avoid.
WOOD FURNITURE POLISH #2
- Pour the boiled linseed oil, turpentine, and white vinegar into a spray bottle that is at least 12-ounce capacity.
- Apply sprayer top then shake well.
- TO USE: Apply with a soft cloth and wipe completely dry with a second clean soft cloth. Label clearly and keep out of reach of children!
WOOD FURNITURE POLISH #3
- Place the beeswax and oil in a double boiler over medium heat.
- Warm and stir until the beeswax has completely melted and incorporated into the oil.
- Stir in the optional essential oil if you wish to add a lovely fragrance (the only reason for essential oil in this recipe)
- Carefully pour the liquid into a jar or other container that has a tight-fitting lid. Allow cooling for about 2 hours, at which time this polish will reach a semi-hard, creamy consistency.
- TO USE: Scoop a small amount onto a clean rag and rub it into the wood surface, always in the direction of the grain. Wipe away the excess immediately and buff well with a dry clean cloth. Or allow to remain for a few hours to let the nourishing oils soak in for greater protection and a brighter shine before removing the excess and buffing to a gorgeous shine!
Notes
1. Do not make large batches of this furniture polish, because unlike the canned stuff, these natural ingredients will lose their effectiveness over time. It is best to make up a small batch in the amount you will need at the time, or no more than you will use in a month. Store in a clean container like a squeeze or spray bottle. Label the container, refrigerate between uses (olive oil can turn rancid after a long period of time) and always keep out of reach of children.
2. It must be commerical boiled linseed oil; find this at the hardware store, home improvement center or online. DO NOT attempt to boil it yourself.
3. Beeswax is difficult to clean out of a container, so using a disposable container like a coffee can set over a pan of boiling water (creating a double-boiler) is a great idea. Then keep that can to melt beeswax in the future. If you use one of your regular cooking pots for this, you're not going to like me in the morning.