White furniture is a unique design choice that is easy to decorate around. Many colors go well with it, giving you a seemingly endless number of décor ideas. But what happens when your beautiful white furniture starts looking dull? Or worse, what if a guest leaves a coffee stain on your bright, new white TV stand?
Fortunately, you aren’t without options. Follow these helpful tips to learn which cleaning agents are safe to use on your white furniture.
How to Clean Your White TV Stand
“Can I use bleach on white furniture?” It’s the first thing most people ask when they need to remove a stain or brighten dull white furniture. While bleach is an effective tool to remove stains on white furniture, it depends on the stain. You shouldn’t use bleach on most beverage stains. The only exceptions to this rule are coffee and tea stains.
1. Oxygen Bleach
Oxygen bleach is the safest way to remove coffee or tea stains from your white furniture. There are many cleaning solutions available made with oxygen bleach. Known as sodium percarbonate, this chemical is very effective in treating these stains.
You don’t need special cleaning products to remove coffee or tea stains. Simply buy some oxygen bleach, and we will guide you through the cleaning process.
How To Clean Using Oxygen Bleach
- You will first need to find a large bowl for mixing your own solution. In the mix, add a quart of warm water. Next, mix in 2 tablespoons of oxygen bleach until completely dissolved.
- With a clean cloth, soak up a small amount of the solution and use it to gently blot the coffee or tea stain.
- Allow the blotted stain to sit for 15 minutes. Make sure that you don’t let it soak for any longer, as it could damage the furniture.
- After 15 minutes have passed, use a clean white towel to soak up the solution.
- Let your white furniture dry and follow up by wiping off any residue or powder.
Coffee and tea stains are one thing. But what about refreshing your white furniture that has gotten dull? For that, you need to avoid bleach altogether and use a gentler cleaning agent.
2. Vinegar
One of the biggest foes of white furniture is mildew. If left untreated, mildew will eventually damage your furniture. It is therefore essential to act quickly the moment you notice the first sign of mildew.
For this job, vinegar works nicely, and it’s all-natural. You will first need to prepare a homemade cleaning solution, which we have provided below. Follow these steps to safely remove mildew and restore your white furniture.
How To Clean With Vinegar
- You first need to mix a simple solution with ingredients you likely already have in your home. Take an empty spray bottle and add in 2 cups of warm water. Mix a cup of white vinegar in the solution. Be sure to shake it up so that the ingredients combine well.
- Dip a non-abrasive cloth in water and use it to wipe off any surface buildup. Be sure to wipe with the grain as you clean your wood furniture. You may also use a vacuum hose with a soft brush attachment.
- Spray the surface of the white furniture and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes. After the allotted time has passed, simply wipe up the mildew with a dampened cloth.
3. Homemade Furniture Polish
Many over-the-counter furniture polishes contain harmful chemicals. What’s more, they can damage your beautiful white furniture after extended exposure. Thankfully, you can easily create your very own furniture polish at home.
Conversely, commercial lemon oil works wonders on white furniture, as well. Whichever option you use, follow the below steps to ensure proper application.
How To Make Your own Homemade Furniture Polish
- To make your own homemade furniture polish, start with an empty spray bottle. You don’t need a big one, as you’re only mixing a small portion of the solution. Add 1 cup of olive oil, followed by ¼ cup of white vinegar.
- Mix the two ingredients well. Spray the homemade cleaning agent directly onto your furniture or a clean, dry cloth. Wipe down your furniture using the cloth, making sure to wipe with the grain. If you are using commercial lemon oil, the same action applies.
- After you have wiped down your TV stand or furniture, use a clean cloth to buff the surface. Doing so will bring out the shine and leave your furniture looking new.
4. Toothpaste
Toothpaste is ideal for removing water stains on your white furniture. Always ensure that you use a non-gel formula, as this will provide the best results.
How To Clean With Toothpaste
- Place a small amount of toothpaste directly on the stain. Using a soft, dry cloth, gently rub the stain until lifted. If the stain is stubborn and won’t come up on the first try, proceed to the next step.
- In a small bowl, add equal parts toothpaste and baking soda. Mix the two ingredients until it is a single formula.
- Apply your new solution to the stain and repeat the first step. Follow up by wiping off the solution. Make sure that your furniture is completely dry by going over the treated area with a clean cloth.
5. Baking Soda
Do your white sideboards have ink marks on them? Thanks to baking soda, you can safely remove those unsightly blemishes.
How To Clean With Baking Soda
- Begin by mixing a tablespoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of water in a small bowl. Combine until the two ingredients form a fine paste.
- Apply your new solution directly onto the ink and rub gently with a soft cloth. Continue this step until the ink has completely vanished.
- Be sure to follow up by removing all traces of the paste from your furniture. To be safe, wipe down with water and a soft rag and dry thoroughly.
Other Uses of Bleach
If you have old furniture that you would like to refinish, bleach is an excellent tool. Before you get started, you must make sure that you wear the proper protective gear. Bleach is a toxic chemical, so it’s important to use precautions before starting your project.
Ordinary laundry bleach will work to remove stains and dyes without harming the wood. Before applying bleach, you first need to wipe down the furniture with a wet rag. Be sure to cover every part of the furniture’s surface, using only water to clean.
Follow up by drying all damp areas with a clean rag. After you have successfully dried your furniture, let it air dry for 1 to 2 days. When you are sure that your wood furniture is completely dry, you may begin bleaching to refresh the wood.
In Summary
Using the right cleaning agent will ensure that your white TV stand maintains its beauty. The best way to avoid stains and mildew is to regularly clean your white furniture. But if you find that it’s looking dull, you now know the best ways to keep it clean.