How to Clean That Dirty, Grungy Furniture Piece Before Repurposing
I receive so many messages about cleaning furniture. I decided to share with you how I clean my furniture before I start any repurpose job. 😊
Since I repurpose old pieces, most of my piece are very dirty (like this piece). I think that’s probably why some people pass them up. But if you don’t mind a little elbow grease, you can transform that dirty piece into a gorgeous piece of furniture!
There are a few steps you can take to make sure it is thoroughly cleaned before you start work.
Remove all drawers, doors and hardware. Lay the piece on it’s back (with help if it’s heavy). It’s easier to vacuum and clean if it’s laid on its back. Take a shop vac and give it a very good vacuuming, getting in all the nooks and crannies. If the vacuum hose will not reach into the small areas, switch over to your blower function. This is great at removing dust and grime and cobwebs!
After vacuuming, spray the bottom and inside with cleaner. I use TSP. I also use a car brush to clean my pieces. Give it a good scrubbing. After cleaning the bottom, give the inside a good scrubbing as well. I think a lot of us don’t realize how dirty the inside of a piece of furniture can really get.
Make sure to spray and clean the feet as well. If there are old casters, I remove them and clean the area really good too.
If the casters are dirty, you can remove them and soak them in a mixture of vinegar and warm water.
After a good cleaning, I always prime the inside of my piece if it is antique or has some age. I use the Rust-Oleum tinted primer in gray and give it a light coat. It just gives the overall piece a clean, new feel.
Now you are ready to transform your piece! Happy Repurposing! Don't forget to visit the blog and sign up for great tips and repurposed projects straight to your inbox!
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