Modified: by Vanessa Goodpaster-Beaty · This post may contain affiliate links · 19 Comments
Ok, so hitting a good yard sale or flea market and finding great old furniture is such fun. The problem, however, is in refinishing that furniture. You certainly don’t want to get an old dresser for a steal and then spend a fortune having it redone. A better way? Why, the DIY way, of course. This quick trick comes from Lily and Thristie.
What you need is:
- Olive or Vegetable Oil – About ¾ cup
- White or Apple Cider Vinegar – About ¼ cup
Just mix together and dip a rag into the mixture. Then, just wipe your furniture down with it. This will completely eliminate those nips and make the furniture look nearly new again. And, because the vinegar and oil are not bad for the furniture, you can wipe it down as often as you like. If you have old coffee tables or any other furniture at home that needs a little pick me up, this is a great way to give it a new look again. It makes it very shiny and well-polished and not at all like something that you picked up for pennies at a yard sale.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Eric Werner
As a professional refinisher in business for 30 years, I would not recommend continually doing this for several reasons. Although it does cover up scratches temporarily, It helps the rest of the finish to separate from the wood doing more damage. Also, the veg. oil is not a drying oil so it stays stick and collects dust for years. Down the road the the oil that has been absorbed into the bare wood will not allow correct refinishing with out it's removal. You would be much better off learning how to correctly apply Tung Oil, a true re-finishing of the bare wood.
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Harpy
Thank you. Oil and vinegar are for salads. If you're going to DIY it, use the proper materials.
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Major moves inc.
Both of you smartass need to make your own blog page if two know so much, shes only sharing whats she knows.nobody was talking bout salads, you should have read the title before you kept reading Einstein. P.s. keep on aharing the good knowlegde Ms. .
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Anonymous
You are criticising someone who knows more than you. Sit down before you hurt yourself.
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Barb c
I have always used Tung Oil on wood. It puts the moisture back into the wood as well as preserving the look of the wood. A KEEPER THE TUNG OIL ,!!!
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PJ
I agree about not using this method. I did this and my wood got sticky over a period of time. I had to use another product to get the greasy feel off the wood. Pam
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Sarah
What did you remove the oily residue with? I wish I hadn’t done this now 😬
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Angie
Live and learn right- I have 2 small dogs after one week there was hair stuck in it ( yes I vacuum weekly sometimes daily) - I used old tee shirt rag and 90% rubbing alcohol - it took it all off - I used old English that matched my furniture (one dark one red oil so way lighter) and a clean Tee shirt rag. All good to go
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Tanya
How would you get white marks out of a coffee table? Would love to know ...Thank so much in advance
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Carrie
You can try rubbing alcohol just where the marks are.
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dagmar Dlouhy
It doesn't work! It's like spilling some salad dressing on your furniture. Smells good, that about all it does.
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Casey
I tried it on my dining room table and it worked great !. I might not use it on everything but for my table it was perfect solution.
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Sybinta
I just did this for my fish tank stand and hood. As they were not treated with anything yet it turned out wonderful and shiny!! I used canola oil. It does not feel sticky, instead it is smooth, glossy and a lovely tan/orange color!! Not sure how well it would work for something already finished, but it worked great for my tank stand and hood!
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sandra
Used this method on wood dresser cabinet I was thinking of getting rid of it. Now it's in my living room it turned out so well. I also used this on a very old bookcase that's been in my attic since a friend gave it to me yrs ago WOW
water stains and all are gone it looks awesome it's in dining room now. Used this on cabinet quite a few yrs ago still looks greatReply
sue
It'll be fine for awhile, but eventually it will not be so fine. Surely everyone has had vegetable oil go bad, yes? Sticky, stinky stuff.....and now it's on your furniture. BUT, for a quick, easy, temporary spruce-up, it sounds like a winner!
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Marsha
I have used this recipe 20+ times.,for 10+ years. Works great and ALL furniture looks good, with No long term negative effects. As long as you wipe off after, not a dust magnet.
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Anonymous
beeswax is another great product!
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