Has anyone done a study comparing the use of a furniture polish, like Pledge, compared to using an oil, like Pledge Oil, on furniture that has a good finish and is in a centrally heated and air conditioned home?
I believe if the finish is good all that should be needed is polish to remove the dust and polish the surface. However, some people I know say even if the finish is good and it is in a centrally heated and air conditioned home, you should use oil at least once a month.
I would like to see if there is any scientific data vs. opinions to back up either position.
Thank you for your help and assistance.
Sincerely,
Walter Slocombe
Replies
If the finish is good all it needs is dusting. Anything else is a dust catcher. Why would you put oil on it once a month. if it very dusty, a slightly damp cloth will remove the dirt. Commercial stuff like pledge also contains silicones.
You aren't thinking it will "nourish" the finish, I hope. ;o)
I'm not a fan.
Furniture polish is a basically a waste of time and money. Yes, they can aid cleaning, but not really more than using ordinary mineral spirits (odorless if you like) followed by water with a few drops of Dawn in it. Routine dusting is accomplished well with a lightly dampened cloth. Some polishes which I believe includes the Pledge products, contain silicone, which while it won't damage the finish, can make any refinishing down the road VERY MUCH more difficult. For a good discussion of the matter see Bob Flexner Understanding Wood Finishing, rev. ed. chapter 18.
The only real "benefit" is to increase the sheen of the surface, generally on a temporary basis. It then becomes a periodic chore to maintain a look, but doesn't really contribute to the longevity of the finish in more than a very minor way. .
You might also read about various concoctions said to preserve or clean furniture, such as mixtures of linseed oil and vinegar. Use a a drying oil, such as linseed oil, on a finished surface, can result in collecting grunge on the surface. since even cured it is soft. This may be part of the dark crud on many antiques. That dark nearly opaque finish isn't so much a sign of age or authenticity as is a symptom of ignorant mistreatment.
Thanks for the inputs. I agree especially with Steve's reply.
Most supermarket furniture polishes are nothing more than mineral oil and an oderant. Some contain silicone. Pledge is major offender. Silicone will basically prevent any later refinishing of furniture that it has been used on.
The mineral spirits used in most products will do absolutely nothing to "feed" the wood. Wood only dries out from lack of moisture. Oil has nothing to do with it. Most furniture has an impervious film finish applied so there is no way that the furniture polish oil could penetrate into the wood. The mineral oil is a non-drying oil so it leaves and oily finish which seems to make the furniture look better. But the oil actually attracts dust ensuring that you will have to "polish" again.
As said a barely damp cloth will work just fine to remove any dust.
I can't recommend either one. If there is any fracturing of the finish down to the wood, both may penetrate and create visible "puddles" under the finsh.
Smithsonian weighs in
At least for the furniture they see:
http://alsnetbiz.com/homeimprovement/info5.html
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