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Cleaning Secondhand or Vintage Furniture the Green Way

Written by Greystar
Edited by Greystar
Greystar Green June 19, 2013

Flea markets have always been great places to look for authentic vintage furniture at discounted prices. They give a whole new meaning to the adage, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

Nevertheless, the furniture you get from flea markets come with a downside: a history of dirt, germs and stains. You can try to do the cleaning yourself, but without the proper tools, skills, and equipment, you can never be too sure that your furniture is not a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.

Fortunately, there are several effective ways to clean vintage furniture that are suitable for green living. Simply open the door of your cupboard or refrigerator, and you’ll find these natural cleaners:

Citrus: It’s tough on hard water stains and lime scale. On top of these, it smells great. It works well as a deodorizer.

Vinegar: It smells sour, but when used as a cleaner, vinegar removes stubborn odors. It also gets ring marks off wood when paired with olive oil.

Coconut oil: It removes rust and sticky labels, and it also polishes metals while leaving behind a light fragrance.

Sandpaper: It’s useful for smoothing out scratches on wood. It’s also an important tool for the finishing touch level.

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