How do I clean this beautiful old rocker?
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Grady on Feb 24, 2015I would try an air freshener to get rid of the smell.Helpful Reply
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DrJanet Holzhauer on Feb 24, 2015First use vinegar to cut the old oils left by the past owner. Skin contains natural oils that will be rubbed into the wood if the rocker was used much. Then try some Scott's Wood Cleaner & Preservative. It has a nice almond scent.Helpful Reply
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Stephanie (Sandpaper & Glue) on Feb 24, 2015I second the vinegar suggestion- that's always my first go to. sometimes just dawn dish soap and warm water works wonders as well!Helpful Reply
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Per1313798 on Feb 24, 2015Apply liquid ammonia and after about 15 minutes the varnish and buildup will melt away.Helpful Reply
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Per1313798 on Feb 24, 2015I did a similar thing with my wooden front door and the wood remained unharmed.Helpful Reply
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Katrina Warren on Feb 24, 2015Interesting rocker, the seat & back look like tooled leather are you sure they are wooden?Helpful Reply
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Carol Hougaboom Holman on Feb 24, 2015I agree with Katrina. My first thought was leather.Helpful Reply
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Ltt834476 on Feb 24, 2015I will try some of your suggestions. Will repost it, if any of it works. And yes, it is wood. It has a beautiful design on the wood. Never seen this before. Thank you for your idea's, it's start :)Helpful Reply
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Rabs on Feb 25, 2015the ideal solution is to clean it with kerosene Smell goes Stains go And keeps wood free from pests Tried and tested solutionHelpful Reply
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Dawn Maria Tait on Feb 25, 2015I have an old farmhouse, complete with the same scunge on every kitchen cupboard door, Pinesol and hot water, take a cloth and drape it over the scunge, I didn't wring it out too much, just enough to stop the puddles on the floor. Worked pretty good.Helpful Reply
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Gloria Duy on Feb 25, 2015I agree with the vinegar, but after I got an old piece of furniture cleaned it still smelled a little. I gave it a sanding and then stained and varnished it and it was fine.Helpful Reply
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J on Feb 25, 2015If it's all wood, use linseed oil with a rag to clean it up. I've done it with old pieces I've found roadside. Linseed oil (buy at hardware store) will clean years of dirt buildup and restore shine.Helpful Reply
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Donnaleedesigns52 on Feb 25, 2015another tip- polish for old furniture - 1 tbsp coconut oil, 5 drops Lemon essential oil & 5 drops Lavender essential oil. Use a soft cloth dipped in mixture and buff the wood. Coconut oil is anti-fungal & anti-bacterial, actually fights the musty smell and mildew trapped inside the wood. Used this on a chair that had been in a barn for years. Works greatHelpful Reply
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Somewhat Quirky on Feb 25, 2015I would clean it with mineral spirits.Helpful Reply
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Sherry Fram on Feb 25, 2015Try Murphy's oil soap. I have used it to clean up old wood and it works great.Helpful Reply
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Vicki Hawkins on Feb 25, 2015Pledge Dust & allergen works great!Helpful Reply
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Lindcurt on Feb 25, 2015Whatever cleaner you use -- use very little water. The pressed wood back and seat are most likely plywood that will separate if gotten too wet.Helpful Reply
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Jane on Feb 25, 2015This website might offer some help in restoring this beautiful chair to its former glory. http://www.familyhandyman.com/woodworking/furniture-repair/how-to-refinish-furniture/view-all#step1Helpful Reply
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Vicki Hawkins on Feb 25, 2015The Pledge Dust & Allergen will cut the buildup, just use plenu of old soft cloths & rub like CRAZY. May take more than one application. Worked great on my old wood buffet w/years of buildup!Helpful Reply
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Sherry on Feb 26, 2015You know you've found a really lovely chair. Before you do anything to ruin it, please check with a reputable antique dealer to see if what you think is dirt is really the original finish where it hasn't been worn or cleaned off. The musty smell can't be cured with perfumed cleaners or soaps. It needs fresh air and time. Looks like you have a covered porch in the pics. That's a good place to get it some warm, dry air and give it some time. Until you know more about just what you've found, you should be very cautious about doing anything to it if you care about its value and history. Don't you watch "Antiques Roadshow"?Helpful Reply
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CC on Feb 27, 2015I refinish old furniture for a living and my new love is Amish Milk Wood Cleaner. However, definitely soak the wood with linseed oil first. It cleans off years and years of dirt buildup. Then finish with the Amish Milk. It's truly a wonderful new find.Helpful Reply
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Lenella Maxwell on Mar 07, 2015Murphy's Oil Soap, the best thing to use. It cleans leather.Helpful Reply
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Zanna on Mar 08, 2015Permatex DL Hand Cleaner, available on Amazon, is a godsend for projects like this! Just wipe it on and then remove it with a soft cloth. It should take off the gunk without removing the original finish. Then you can just clean it with your furniture polish of choice. I've used this cleaner on old furniture and even on old oil paintings. It's great stuff!Helpful Reply
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Ltt834476 on Mar 08, 2015Thank you for this information. I will look for this on Amazon.Helpful Reply
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Cyndi Neumann on Apr 25, 2015Murphy's Oil Soap is Fabulous for cleaning everything! I use it all the time , just mix a little water and Murphy's Oil in a bowl and use old wash rag, It cleaned a rattan rocker I had, I had no idea it was so dirty, especially on the arm pieces! I also use it on my wall baseboards. Grocery store or Home Depot, Lowes, it is available everywhere. Smiles, CyndiHelpful Reply
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