Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Royal Stone Care
Over time, wooden surfaces can become dull and lose their natural shine. This is typically down to sunlight, dirt, dust and so on. Regular polishing removes all grime from the timber, restoring its appearance. At the same time, polishing protects your wood, increases its value and helps it to last longer.
Finally, if you have an allergy or similar condition, polishing removes allergens and dust to create an all-round healthier, cleaner environment.
Start with some dust-busting
First of all, dust your furniture. With a soft microfibre cloth, dust from the top of the furniture then work your way down. Be thorough and use long, sweeping motions. You may need to moisten the cloth slightly for some stubborn patches.
Dust at least weekly – and leave to air-dry before you start polishing, which you should do every three to six months.
Choose the right polish
This is important. Consider the type of wood, its finish and the condition of your furniture before deciding. But always go for top-quality products, and test them on a discreet area first.
Apply polish using a soft cloth
Put a little polish on a soft, clean cloth before rubbing the cloth together to ensure even application. Then gently rub into your furniture, working in the direction of the grain. Avoid a circular motion or back-and-forth movements. (This is important since it follows the growth rings’ natural patterns. And not doing so can leave unsightly scratches or marks. Equally, the polish will then penetrate the wood more effectively.) Repeat as often as you need to. And then leave to dry.
Grab a clean cloth a buff to a shine
Fold a new clean cloth and get buffing. Look for any unevenness or streaks, and use a separate cloth for a final once-over. If necessary, go through the above steps and reapply more polish.
Dry off your furniture
Avoid direct sunlight for drying off your furniture. Instead, find a shaded area allowing for air circulation so that your furniture can dry off naturally. Keep checking it until it is completely dry.
Our top tips for looking after your wooden furniture for years to come
But, like anything else, these pieces need a little regular TLC. Here are our top tips for ensuring your precious furniture stays looking its best for years into the future.
Think of your wood as being like your skin
This may sound a little odd, but you protect your skin from extreme humidity and direct sunlight, so do the same for your wood. There are treatments available to filter out the sun’s harshest rays, or you could just place items out of direct, strong light.
Think of every day of owning your furniture as your first
This might sound a little idealistic, but it’s one of the best mindsets to have when it comes to caring for your furniture. So have pads under the feet of tables and chairs. And never place glasses or mugs of steaming drinks directly on real wood or, of course, any hot dishes. Clean up any spillages as soon as they happen with a slightly damp cloth. And then dry the area thoroughly.
Stick to mild cleaners
Kick off with the mildest cleaning solution you can find. It may be all you need to shift light dirt or stains. One idea is to us a few drops of washing up liquid in warm water to lift dust and grime. Add a dash of white vinegar to the mix if you want a touch more cleaning power. Dip a clean cloth or sponge in it and rub with care. There’s no need to scrub hard.
Equally, steer clear of chemical-based bathroom products and anything containing bleach or ammonia. This can permanently damage the finish of the wood.
Don’t overfill drawers
Again, this may sound like an odd or obvious one. But if drawers are too full, they start to sag, which damages the framing of the piece. Close drawers gently, too.
At the same time, however, you don’t have to be overly precious about your real wood items. A few minor flaws aren’t the end of the world. If anything, they lend the piece character. So help your wood to age with elegance!
Get in touch
We understand if you feel you don’t want to polish valuable wood furniture yourself. And you may feel you don’t know enough about the equipment, products or techniques to do the best job.
Royal Stone Care’s customers look to us to do a top-quality job with professional wood polishing in London. (We also offer wood restoration and wood repair as well as wood staining.) Whatever sort of wooden furniture you have, we guarantee excellent results.
Talk to us today and ask for a free, informal quote.
