What is the best way to clean a 30 yr old Basset Dresser and Night stand from nicotene?
Question:I inherited a Basset Dresser and Night Stand - very good condition, but it has been exposed to years of heavy smoking. I've tried Murphy's Oil Soap - but it takes the finish off. Is there an easier way to clean it?
Answers:
The oil soap is probably not taking off the finish. Nicotine is a reddish color when coming off. I know this because my mother's yellow kitchen would get yucky and my daughter and I would go and wash walls, it came off reddish. I had no idea til then. If it is coming off easy, just keep using it, if you need more ummph, get Homer Formby's refinisher. I have finished and refinished and stripped furniture for 30 yrs. This kind of furniture isn't even made anymore, so believe me when I say you aren't taking off the finish.
Nicotine is an oil based substance.Try Dawn dish-washing liquid, or if your like me, use Easy-off oven cleaner. The fume free. You have to work real fast with that. It will take the paint off. Spray, count to ten than wipe with a wet sponge,and rinse with clear water. That's What I did with a Painting,believe it or not. Looks brand new too. But you have to work fast if using the easy off. Bye
Use liquid gold its a cleaning agent, it also renews, you will love the results.
What you think is the finish is likely nicotine being removed from the surface. Clean with the oil soap and to get rid of the stink I would go to a furniture store and get a giant plastic bag such as dressers and recliners come in. Put cheap coffee grounds in bowls in the drawers and have them open slightly. Bag it and let it sit for aboout a month. It will help.
Use dawn dish soap, and a very fine steel wool. afterwards use a glossy wood polish to restore the woods, luster. :)
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