Antique inlaid lacquered furniture is best left to the professionals for a good shine. Black lacquer quickly shows dirt and fingerprints, both of which diminish its shiny finish. Yet improper cleaning and polishing irreparably damages the coating. To revive your lacquer furniture’s high-gloss appearance, clean it regularly and apply a liquid wax product as necessary. Before using any of these methods, check the care instructions provided by the manufacturer and test each product or process in a small area, such as the inside bottom of a chair or table leg. Damp-dust lacquer furniture to prevent dirt from scratching the surface. Wet a very soft, clean cloth lightly and wring it out thoroughly. Excess water can damage lacquer finishes, so ensure that the cloth is barely wet to the touch. Hold a clean, dry cloth in your opposite hand. Wipe a small section of the furniture with the damp cloth, going with the grain of the wood or in long, straight strokes. Immediately wipe this section with the dry cloth.

Repeat this process until you’ve dusted the entire piece. best leather cleaner in denverIf it is otherwise clean, without any visible fingerprints or residue, proceed to waxing. best vacuum cleaner hard surface floorsGather three rags if the furniture is still noticeably dirty, dampening one of them lightly. cost of house duct cleaningSpray a small amount of solvent-based furniture cleaner on a dry rag and wipe the lacquer gently, starting with a small section. dryer vent cleaning services costWipe this away immediately with a damp cloth and then dry the area with a dry cloth. top rated vacuum cleaners target

Repeat this process, working in manageable sections, until the lacquer is clean. best deals on cylinder vacuum cleanersApply liquid wax to the furniture, being careful to avoid any upholstery if applicable, with a very soft brush. Wait about 15 minutes, or the amount of time recommended by the liquid wax manufacturer, and then buff the excess wax away with a lint-free cloth, preferably chamois cloth. Do not use products labeled as “furniture polish," pretreated furniture wipes or oil-based cleaners on lacquer furniture. Avoid the cleaning aisle all together and head to the home improvement store for a quality, lacquer-specific wax. Things You Will Need Clean, soft cloths Solvent-based furniture cleaner Liquid wax Soft brush Chamois cloth Tip Warning References Good Housekeeping: Cleaning Black LacquerDenver Art Museum: The Craft and Care of East Asian LacquerMichigan State University Extension: Wood, Modern Lacquer Finish -- Care and Cleaning Photo Credits Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images Suggest a Correction

A lacquer finish looks beautiful on any piece of furniture. For the most part lacquer is a hard finish, but it’s susceptible to scratches, chips and wear. Cleaning lacquer isn’t done in the same way as other types of finishes. Here are a few tips to help you maintain that wonderfully lacquered look on all your furniture. You want to do your best to keep all your lacquered items dry at all times. If you have a piece of furniture that is subject to spills it may be a good idea to place a protective runner or table cloth on it. This way any spills can be contained. If your lacquered furniture is a dresser or other item that doesn’t get a lot of liquid near it, just be sure to wipe away any spills that may happen from time to time. If your lacquer surface will hold a vase, you want to take care that the water level isn’t too high, and ensure the vase itself won’t sweat or bead water. Water can damage lacquer in a relatively short amount of time. It will leave spots that are difficult to get out later, and if left alone it can remove the finish in these spots.

Clean with Mild Soap The best way to clean lacquer is to use a mild soap and warm water. A mix of one teaspoon of soap to a half gallon of water is sufficient. Wring your cloth out so it’s only damp, not dripping wet. Wipe the lacquer down avoiding circular motions. Once it’s cleaned, you want to take a soft dry cloth and wipe any excess water away. Remember water can be death to lacquer finishes if left alone. You also need to make sure the cloth has no foreign material that can scratch the surface. The smallest grain of dirt can wreak havoc on a lacquered finish. Using harsh household cleaners will pull the finish off as well. Avoid using any cleaner that has bleach or ammonia in it. A lacquer finish can be easily scratched. Don’t drag items like knick knacks across the finish. Don’t leave heavy items in a place that can be tipped over. You can add small rubber feet to the bottom of any decorative items to prevent scratching, and keep heavy items that can tip over away from children, to avoid taking chunks out of the finish.

Lacquer will show dust much faster than other types of finishes. You should dust with a soft lint-free cloth or a clean feather duster. You don’t want to drag the dust across the surface, since it can contain small hard particles that can scratch the surface. Keeping the surface dusted and clean will help prevent these hard particles from building up, and will help you maintain the look of the high gloss.A lacquer finish can look great on virtually any furniture. As long as you take preventative action to avoid damage, the finish can last a lifetime.What are some good ways to clean lacquered furniture? To clean lacquered furniture, damp a cloth in warm water and mild soap. Wring the cloth well. Wipe the furniture gently in a single direction, and then use a soft dry cloth to remove excess water. Dust the furniture regularly to maintain a clean appearance. Replace water with orange or lemon oil if the lacquer finish is less than six months old. A mixture of mild soap and vinegar is also a good cleaning alternative for lacquered furniture.

How do you clean finished wood furniture? How can you paint lacquered furniture? How do you clean wood veneer? Never use cleaners containing bleach or ammonia, as regular cleaners such as these remove lacquer from furniture. Instead, use a mixture of 1/2 gallon of warm water and 1 teaspoon of soap. Make sure the cloths that are used to clean and dry the furniture contain no particles that could scratch the surface. Simply wiping off dust may also scratch the surface, as dust build-up contains hard particles that damage the lacquer finish. Use a clean feather duster or a lint-free soft cloth to gently dust lacquered furniture. Water damages lacquer finishes by leaving spots that are hard to clean, resulting in the complete removal of the lacquer. Dry out water spills immediately, and protect furniture prone to spills with a tablecloth or a runner. Make sure vases placed on lacquered furniture are stable and don't drip or sweat water. If preferred, use a mixture of vinegar and mild soap to clean lacquered furniture, but never use vinegar alone.

After cleaning, wipe off the furniture with a clean cloth in the direction of the grain to recover the shine of the finish. Alternatively, use a micro fiber cloth with a few drops of lemon or orange oil. Older lacquered furniture is less resistant to cleaning than new furniture, so make sure the finish is less than six months old when using lemon or orange oil. Learn more about Cleaning What are some good ways to clean baseboards? To clean baseboards, begin by removing dust and debris with the brush attachment of a vacuum or a duster, then wash the boards using a sponge or cloth with... How do you remove mildew from finished wood furniture? To remove mildew from finished wood furniture, rub the affected area with a cloth dipped in trisodium phosphate solution, rinse with clean water and set th... How do you clean vinyl straps on patio furniture? Vinyl straps on patio furnishings can be cleaned using a soft cloth and warm, soapy water. Very dirty, mildewed or stained patio furnishings can be cleaned...