How to polish your wood furniture and make it look (almost) brand new

I learned the best products for cleaning and polishing wood furniture, including wood tables, cabinets, chairs and more.

I know all about how to clean hardwood floors, but when it came to cleaning and polishing wood chairs, cabinetry, consoles and tables, I realized I had a lot to learn. I’ve done some light dusting around my apartment with my favorite kits, but I needed to reach out to cleaning experts to learn more about the best way to clean and polish wood furniture. The most important thing I took away from the experts, including Becky Rapinchuk, owner of cleaning brand and site Clean Mama, is that the same polish you’d use for floors isn’t necessarily compatible with wood furniture. “Floor products are formulated differently and may contain waxes, silicones, or leave a slippery residue that isn’t intended for furniture surfaces,” she says.

“It’s generally best to use products designed for the specific surface.” To find the right products and methods for polishing wood furniture, I asked Rapinchuk and another cleaning expert for their recommendations. They also provide tips for polishing finished and sealed wood furniture in just a few easy steps. Want more from NBC Selected? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. The best products for polishing wood furniture Below are products recommended by our experts or staff, and/or are highly rated on Amazon with at least a 4-star average from 500 or more