Basic Wood Care

How to dust the safe way:
Never dry dust. The cloth can cause fine scratches in your wood. You may not notice these scratches, which can be microscopic, but over time they dull the finish and make your furniture more vulnerable to humidity, sunlight, stains, and water marks. We suggest using Orange Glo Wood Cleaner & Polish every time you dust to safeguard your furniture.

Also, remember to change your dusting cloth frequently so you don't scratch your wood with tiny dust particles that accumulate on the cloth over time. Our pre-moistened, disposable Orange Glo Polishing Cloths are great for quick, safe dusting. (They remove waxy build-up 4 times faster than the leading brand.)

How to get the most out of your wood cleaner:
Don't mix oil-based cleaners with wax-based cleaners. If you use a waxy furniture polish on top of Orange Glo, it may create a cloudy appearance. Fortunately, Orange Glo will help remove the cloudy wax build-up left behind from other cleaners.

How to safeguard your wood furniture surfaces against watermarks:
Orange Glo Wood Cleaner & Polish helps safeguard your wood furniture against watermarks by putting down an invisible barrier that repels moisture. This barrier is a temporary surface barrier, so it's best to apply Orange Glo at least once a week. If water is allowed to sit on your wood furniture for long periods, it can permanently swell or damage the grain. To prevent permanent stains and warping, always place drinking glasses on coasters and plants on trays.

How to remove and repair nicks and scratches from wood:

To remove and repair minor nicks and scratches from wood, apply Orange Glo Wood Cleaner & Polish to a soft shammy or soft cotton cloth. Then gently buff the wood scratch until it disappears or becomes significantly less noticeable. Be careful not to rub too briskly or you can cause buffer burns.

To remove and repair deep wood scratches or burns, use a wax fill stick, available at hardware stores. Fill sticks work like crayons. Simply rub the wax stick into the scratch and buff with a clean cotton cloth. Fill sticks come in a range of colors to match your wood furniture, and many manufacturers also keep them in stock. Unlike markers and stains, which are permanent, fill sticks can be removed if you don't like the color match or the final results.

How to bring out the natural beauty of your wood:
Wax build-up, dust, grease, and smoke can all dull your wood. To restore your wood to its original luster, spray Orange Glo Wood Cleaner & Polish onto a soft cloth. Gently wipe in the direction of the grain; lightly buffing the surface until it's dry. The buffing will bring out the natural beauty of your wood grain and add a radiant smudge-resistant shine.


Five Facts You Need to Know to Safeguard Your Wood Furniture

1. Control the humidity: Half the weight in freshly cut wood is water. After the wood is dried and made into furniture, it still contains moisture that expands and shrinks based on the humidity. If the wood becomes too dry, it will crack and split; if it becomes too wet, it will swell and warp. Orange Glo Wood Cleaner & Polish helps to maintain your wood's natural moisture balance.

2. Avoid direct sunlight: The sun's ultra-violet rays can break down the chemicals in wood furniture finish. They can also create hairline cracks, called crazing, in your wood. Direct sunlight will also darken light wood and bleach out dark wood. To maintain the beauty of your wood furniture, place it away from direct sunlight or pull the blinds or curtains during the brightest hours of the day.

3. Never let water sit on your wood furniture or wood floors: Water is one of wood's worst enemies. If it's left on your furniture or floors, it can cause white spots or haziness. Eventually, it will destroy the finish and warp the wood beneath. Always place coasters under drinking glasses and trays under plants.

4. Go on the defensive against dust: For the most thorough results, always dust from top to bottom. For example, dust tall cabinets starting at the top and work your way down, cleaning the floor last to completely remove any dust that has fallen from above.

5. Don't wipe your wood table with a kitchen dishcloth: Many people give their wood kitchen or dining room tables a quick cleaning with a dishcloth after meals. This can deposit traces of detergent that will damage the wood. It can also spread bacteria and odors from your kitchen sink to your table. Instead, remove food with a damp cloth and wipe. Orange Glo Dusting and Cleaning Cloths work great and leave a wonderful shine.