Clean Wood Panels

Wood paneling requires cleaning to keep your home looking neat and tidy.

The wood paneling on your walls is one of two types -- either solid wood planks or sheets manufactured to resemble hard woods. Real wood paneling consists of planks covered with a varnish or polyurethane protective coating. To make simulated wood sheets, manufacturers cover hard board or particleboard with an image of real wood and add a protective plastic coating over the top to simulate wood planks. Cleaning wood paneling is necessary to remove fingerprints, smudges and dust. The cleaning processes differ based on the type of wood panels on your walls.

Instructions

Real Wood

1. Brush dust from crevices and raised moldings with a soft-bristle paintbrush.

2. Wipe the wood panels from ceiling to floor with a microfiber rag or vacuum the panels using an upholstery tool attached to the vacuum hose.

3. Dampen a rag with wood oil soap according to the manufacturer's directions. Some wood oil soaps require dilution prior to use, while others come in a ready-to-use formulation. Wipe the wood panels from the top of the wall to the ceiling to remove heavier dirt and grime. Buff the surface with a clean, dry rag.

Simulated Wood Panels

4. Wipe the panels from the top to the bottom with a dust rag to remove surface dist.

5. Fill a bucket with warm water and add 1 tsp. of mild dishwashing soap. Stir the mixture to avoid creating soapsuds.

6. Submerge a sponge or sponge mop into the water. Squeeze out all excess water until the sponge or mop is barely damp. Wash the walls from top to bottom in straight lines rather than using a circular motion. Straight lines are less likely to smear dirt over the simulated wood panels. A sponge mop with a long handle makes reaching high areas easier.

7. Rinse the sponge or mop with clean water and pass over the panels again to remove soapy residue. Dry the panels with a soft cloth after each pass with the sponge or mop to avoid water spots or streaks.

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