How to Make AMAZING (non-toxic) Furniture/Hardwood Polish at Home

A few years ago, I did some extensive research on homemade "green cleaning" in order to eliminate toxic chemicals in our cabinets. My incredibly talented friend, Melanie, created illustrations and put together a booklet with some of our favorite homemade concoctions. 

Here is the booklet Melanie and I made. You can find more tips and recipes, with Melanie's adorable illustrations at www.spreadthelove.etsy.com

Of all the recipes I have gathered to clean my home, this is my absolute favorite! I had to share...

Instead of using horrible aerosol dust spray cleaners, try this amazing concoction with natural ingredients from around the house!

Dusty shelves

Much happier after a nice rub down

As with any wood cleaning, first make sure that furniture/floors are free of all debris so as not to damage or scratch surfaces, and always test a small area before full application.

Grab a clean bottle and create a label with masking tape so that you remember what the contents are after initial use. I recycled a small whiskey bottle for this purpose and it is perfect!

Pour three parts olive oil and one part white vinegar into the bottle and shake vigorously. I use about 3 tablespoons of olive oil and one tablespoon of white vinegar for each batch, and that is usually enough to do all the furniture in my house one time. You don't want to mix more than you will use for one cleaning, because your mixture will spoil if left sitting for a long time. 

All my ingredients for a polished shine

Pour a bit of the mixture onto a clean, soft cloth and massage into wood. Do use a bit of force and thoroughly rub the mixture into the wood, naturally going with the direction of the grain. Soon you will see a polished shine emerge. The more you rub, the more your wood will shine shine shine! 

End table before polish. Notice dull edges and handprints on upper right hand side.

Table after polish...super shiny!

For a more striking finish, use another clean, dry, cloth to buff wood after you have finished polishing with the mixture. 

My wood looks unbelievably gorgeous after this treatment. I will NEVER use anything else to clean my wood, and my favorite part about this mixture is that I can literally pour the leftovers on my salad afterwards. I don't have to worry about my children or my dog getting sick from any of the nasty toxins that are found in store bought furniture polish. I simply cannot rave enough about this recipe. 

Bench before polish

Shine Time

This table gets the most abuse from my kiddies

It GLOWS after polish

When you're finished polishing your wood with this mixture, another perk is that you can rub the excess right into your hands for a moisturizing treatment. The olive oil works wonders for dry skin. Bonus!!! Give this recipe a try. I know you'll love it!