Homemade Furniture Polish Recipes

The smell of furniture polish can linger in the house for hours, days or sometimes even a week or more, do you have any idea what the chemicals are doing to your respiratory system, central nervous system or indoor air pollution levels? It cannot be good.

There are petroleum distillates and solvents in commercial furniture polishes that can make a person sick or trigger asthma attacks in those with breathing problems. However, as more and more homeowners are becoming aware of how dangerous the toxic fumes from household cleaners can be, it simply makes more sense to invest in the effort to make homemade cleaners which are safer and cheaper. Below are a few recipes to use when wanting to make your own homemade furniture polish and it will make your home a healthier place and save you money at the same time.

Homemade Furniture Polish No. 1

¼ c. of vinegar and a few drops of olive oil
The vinegar pulls the dirt out of the wood and the oil lubricates the wood so it prevents it from drying out. The best oils to use in a homemade furniture polish recipe are ones with a long shelf life and if you can find it, liquid jojoba oil is a great choice because it never goes rancid. Olive oil works well, boiled linseed oil found in your local hardware store has synthetic chemicals in it and should not be used; instead purchase pure food grade linseed oil to use.

Homemade Furniture Polish No. 2

White vinegar
Lemon juice
Combine equal parts of white vinegar and lemon juice in a container and shake. Use a clean cloth and rub a small amount into furniture and then wipe dry with another clean cloth.

Homemade Lemon Oil Polish

10 drops of lemon oil
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
A few drops of olive oil or jojoba oil

Lemon oil is used as a furniture lubricant and is an antiseptic, which is an added benefit for those using homemade furniture oils. Most commercial lemon oils contain petroleum distillates which can be dangerous if inhaled, so this recipe is environmentally friendly and easier on the lungs of those with breathing disorders.

The benefits of using homemade furniture polish are plentiful and these alternatives are chemical-free, contain no irritating fragrances and are environmentally friendly. It is important to remember to never use a container that has had another chemical in it and to shake the polish up before each use. Cheap olive oil works just as effectively as the more expensive grades and you can make smaller amounts of polish, so you have a fresh batch each time you dust your furniture.