How to clean high gloss furniture? With these tips and tricks you can make your furniture shine again!
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Whether kitchens, bathrooms, shelves or dining tables – high-gloss furniture has been one of the most important living trends for years and gives our apartments a touch of shine and glamor. It looks timeless, modern and a little extravagant – but only if it is nice and clean and properly cared for. We know – keeping track of housework is nobody’s favorite task. With so many surfaces to dust and the rest of the daily chores left to do, we’re all guilty of letting things slip. But in order for your furniture to retain its beauty over the years, you need to know how to clean high gloss furniture. Which cleaners and towels would be suitable for this and how can yellowed stains be removed? We’ve got you covered and we’ve compiled the best tips for caring for and cleaning high gloss furniture!
What types of high-gloss furniture are there?
There are two types of high-gloss furniture, which differ greatly in some aspects and therefore require special treatment. Pieces of furniture with a glossy lacquer film are significantly cheaper to buy, but are also very prone to scratches. Since the edges could chip off quickly, the furniture must be cleaned very carefully and with soft cotton cloths. Microfiber cloths would be unsuitable because of their rougher structure and can damage the furniture. And then there’s high-gloss furniture coated with thermosetting plastics. Although they are a bit more expensive, they are more durable and sturdy.
The best towels to clean glossy surfaces
High-gloss furniture is a great eye-catcher, but unfortunately real magnets for streaky lines and stains. So the question arises, what is the best way to clean high gloss furniture so that it shines in its full glory? The most important rule when cleaning and caring for high gloss is: Be particularly gentle! A soft, dry cloth or a feather duster is all you need for daily cleaning of glossy furniture.
Cotton towels
Cotton towels are versatile in the household and are therefore the best possible choice for cleaning high gloss furniture. Whether for damp wiping, for dry wiping, for removing stains or simply for polishing – cotton cloths are particularly gentle. However, when buying, you should make sure that the cloths are lint-free and really soft. In the spirit of sustainability, you could also use older, clean cotton T-shirts to clean glossy furniture.
Microfiber Mirror Cloths
If you want to clean high gloss furniture, you can’t go wrong with microfiber mirror cloths. Since they are lint-free and very soft and have a smooth surface, they also do not cause scratches or damage. Here, too, you should be very careful and only wipe gently.
Cleaning high gloss furniture with chamois leather
Chamois are an excellent choice when cleaning heavily soiled, high-gloss furniture or removing stains. In addition, they leave no traces and thus ensure the perfect, streak-free finish.
Which cleaners are suitable for high gloss furniture?
Cleaning high gloss furniture not only depends on the cloths, but also on the cleaning agents used. You should avoid using aggressive cleaners and abrasive agents. With regular use, they attack the paint, which ruins the look of the furniture. Cleaning agents containing fat and oil also leave residues on the surfaces and are therefore unsuitable for cleaning high gloss furniture. In addition, the chemicals contained in them are corrosive and lead to unsightly deformation of the paintwork over time. If you want to clean high gloss furniture with glass cleaner, you should not spray it directly onto the surface, but rather onto a soft cloth and wipe with little pressure.
How to remove stains and dirt?
Spilled your glass of wine again? Especially with high gloss furniture it is very important to clean up any spills as soon as possible. You have to act quickly, especially with darker stains, because the longer the stains dry, the more difficult they are to remove. In addition, it can sometimes happen that unpleasant dark marks appear after wiping. In this case, simple soapy water would be the best possible and most gentle option to clean high gloss furniture and remove the stains without damaging the polish. To do this, mix some soap or washing liquid with water and wipe the furniture with a soft, slightly damp microfiber or cotton cloth. Then polish with a dry cloth and you’re done – high gloss furniture can be cleaned that easily with household products.
How to clean yellowed high gloss furniture?
If not properly cared for, high gloss furniture can take on an unsightly yellow cast. But that’s no reason to panic! Fortunately, there are some proven methods and home remedies that we can use to clean yellowed glossy furniture and bring it back to shine.
All-purpose cleaner and vinegar
It doesn’t matter whether it’s for cleaning the refrigerator or the shower stall – apple cider vinegar is a real all-rounder in the household and can be used in many different ways. So it’s no wonder that we can also use it to clean yellowed high gloss furniture. And this is how you do it:
- Mix water with some all-purpose cleaner and apple cider vinegar and pour into a spray bottle.
- Spray onto high gloss furniture and rub in circular motions with a soft cloth.
- Wipe with a damp cloth and then dry well.
Clean yellowed high gloss furniture with toothpaste
Toothpaste has a whitening effect and is also a great option for cleaning yellowed glossy furniture. To increase the effect, mix toothpaste with some table salt. Take a little of the paste with a soft cotton cloth and gently wipe the yellowed areas with it. To avoid scratches, do not press too hard and be very careful. Finally, wipe the furniture with a damp cloth and you’re done.