How to Polish Wood Furniture: The Complete Guide (Polish, Wax & More)

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After years of cleaning homes professionally, the question I get asked most is how to make wood furniture look like new again — and the answer almost always comes down to one thing: polishing my wood furniture correctly and choosing the right wood polish for the job.

Wood furniture is timeless, and with the right care it can last generations. But without regular polishing, you’ll slowly lose the ability to preserve its natural beauty — and once that luster is gone, restoring it takes far more effort than simply maintaining it in the first place.

The good news? Even your oldest piece of wood furniture can look like new if you take the time to read these cleaning tips on how to properly polish your wooden furniture.

Table of Contents

How To Polish Wood Like A Pro

A Few Do’s and Don’ts of Wood Polish

1. Match Your Polish to Your Wood’s Finish

Not all wood furniture has the same finish, and using the wrong polish can cause damage. Before you reach for the oil, you need to know what finish your furniture has.

Oil-finished wood — furniture treated with oils like Tung or Linseed — should only be polished with oil. These oils penetrate the wood, evaporate slowly, and leave behind a hard, protective coating that nourishes the grain.

Polyurethane, lacquered, or varnished wood — the most common finish on modern furniture — should not have oil applied to it. The oil sits on top of the sealed surface, can’t penetrate, and will just leave a greasy residue.

Not sure what finish you have? Do a quick test: put a tiny drop of water on an inconspicuous spot. If it soaks in, you likely have an oil finish. If it beads up, your furniture is sealed and oil polish isn’t the right choice.

2. Oil and Wax Don’t Mix

A chemical reaction occurs between wax and oil that ends up degrading them both. The wax will become opaque and attract dirt and dust.

In the end, you’ll have to have it removed completely (professionally) if you ever want that piece of furniture to look beautiful again.

3. Don’t Use Olive or Vegetable Oil

Cooking oils don’t do a good job of polishing furniture. Nut, vegetable, and olive oils spoil and go rancid.

The rancid oil smells bad, and if it permeates your wood, it will make the furniture smell bad too.

4. Damp Dust Polyurethane Finishes

Wax and polish don’t help and will damage polyurethane finishes.

5. Avoid Silicone polish

Silicone polish is very shiny, but it does nothing to nourish the wood. It’s also impossible to remove.

I’d only use it as a very last resort when a piece is on its last legs, and you are not worried about restoring it.

Silicone-containing cleaners/polish will not come off with detergents and have to be mechanically removed. You cannot stain or lacquer over silicone.

Wood Furniture Polish

Wood polish is used to protect wood against abrasions and give your furniture a shiny appearance. Polish evaporates quickly but is much easier to apply than wood wax.

Here’s a few simple Wood Polish Recipe that works wonderfully on wood furniture:

Mineral Oil and Vinegar Wood Polish

One cup mineral oil
One-fourth cup white distilled vinegar

Mineral oil is used to rehydrate and protect wood furniture from stains, spills, and liquids while vinegar cleanses it. Pour the mixture into a bottle and you’re ready to go!

If you don’t like the smell of the vinegar, try this lemon-scented wood polish:

Mineral Oil and Lemon Extract

One quart mineral oil
One tablespoon lemon extract

Stir the mixture together and store in a glass or plastic container.

Wood Waxes

Wood wax often contains beeswax and creates a protective seal on the wood, which keeps moisture in and repels stains and moisture that could harm your wooden furniture.

Instead of the glossy finish achieved with wood polish, the wax polish will leave more of a glowing sheen.

Colored or Pigmented Wax

Colored or pigmented wax or polish can enhance the wood color of the finish. A pigmented wax will conceal nicks, scrapes, or blemishes in the wood color or the finish.

Waxing with pigment will leave a satin sheen. You may also reapply a clear polish or wax over pigmented wax if you desire a more glossy shine.

Clear Wax

Clear wax is appropriate for all wood furniture, regardless of the type or the color of the wood. Clear wax shines wood to a high gloss finish.

Too much clear wax applied to the finish will make the wood look dull and lifeless. The key to getting the high shine is to apply one coat of wax and buff, buff, buff.

I recommend using a mechanical buffer to achieve the desired look.

How To Polish and Wax Wood

Choose between wax or polish based on what’s appropriate for your wood finish.

Remember: If your wood has a wax finish, stick with a wax polish. If your wood has an oil finish, stick with an oil polish.

Gather your tools and supplies:

Wood polish or wood wax (recipe above)
Clean cotton rags
A soft bristle brush
A soft buffing cloth

Polishing

Apply wood polish directly onto the clean cotton rag
Begin wiping with the grain
If your wooden furniture has intricate details, dab the wood polish directly with a soft-bristled brush and continue to use a circular motion
If your furniture needs more wood polish, apply another layer and wait for it to saturate fully
Use the soft buffing cloth to remove any excess wood polish

Waxing

Apply a small amount of wood wax directly onto the clean cotton rag
Begin wiping with the grain, starting at one position and working your way out
Let the wood wax set for an hour
Repeat steps one through three if you feel your wood furniture needs more protection
Buff using a clean, soft buffing cloth to remove the excess wood wax or use a mechanical buffer.
Remember less is more with wax.

Maureen Campaiola

I’m a professional cleaner with over 13 years of hands-on experience cleaning homes, a published writer, certified money specialist, and the founder of A Mess Free Life. After paying off over $50,000 in debt, I dedicated myself to helping others master their homes and their money — proving that a clean, organized, stress-free life is possible no matter where you’re starting from. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me cooking, playing bocce, sipping an extra dirty martini, or enjoying the ocean with my cats nearby. I’m also a proud mom and grandma who cares deeply for my mother at home.