Be careful what you use: some natural ingredients can irreparably ruin the treated wood. Find out what are the 3 to be avoided absolutely to keep furniture and always perfect surfaces.
When it comes to cleaning of the treated woodnatural solutions and do-it-yourself methods have immediately been handed down for generations. In fact, we tend to think that everything that is “natural” is also delicate and safe. But reality is a little more complicated. Some homemade remedies, if applied on treated surfaces, can cause permanent damage, difficult to repair or even worsen over time. Curious how often we rely on the instinct or some old advice of the grandmother, without considering that the wood, especially the one treated, has a sensitivity of his own. Before doing damage, looking for the miraculous remedy, it is worth stopping for a moment and understanding what are the ingredients to keep away.
A useful question to ask could be: that remedy that seems so harmless, is it really suitable for delicate surfaces? Better to know now, rather than repenting later. Because sometimes only one wrong pass is enough to ruin a piece of furniture that has accompanied us for years.
Vinegar and treated wood: an enemy disguised as an ally
It is often recommended for ecological cleaning, but on the treated wood it is a whole other story. THE’vinegar It is acidic, and precisely because of its nature it manages to dissolve fat, limestone, even the most obstinate incrustations. Too bad he also acts on wood finishesdamaging them in a visible way. If used pure, it risks opacifying the surface and affecting the protective layer applied during the treatment. In the presence of scratches or small cracks, it can even penetrate inside, causing deformations or swellings over time. A drop here and there may not do immediate damage, but regular use is a completely different thing.
An interesting detail? However, many “natural” products on the market contain small percentages of vinegar. And it is not always clearly indicated on the label. Better always read the ingredients well and, if in doubt, avoid.
Lemon juice: fresh, fragrant and … corrosive
Another beloved ingredient for cleaning is the lemon juice. It is used to polish metals, to degrease and also to remove smells. But on the treated wood? Better to leave it in the kitchen.
Lemon contains citric acid, a substance capable of alter the color of the wood and make it uneven. A few applications are enough to notice clearer spots, especially on dark woods or with water -based finishes. His whitening action may seem like an advantage, but only if the “discolored marble” effect was just the one sought …
In addition, the lemon combined with the sun or the heat tends to accentuate the corrosive effects even more. So it is better not to use it even to refresh the furniture in summer, as can be seen in certain tutorials.
Bicarbonate: useful, but too aggressive on the wood
Il baking soda It is one of the most used ingredients in house cleaning: effective, natural, multipurpose. It is used to remove smells, whiten fabrics, even to clean metals. But on the treated wood, things change.
Despite its positive fame, bicarbonate has a slightly abrasive consistency. And this characteristic, often neglected, can ruin the most delicate finishes. A slightly energetic application is enough to create micro scratches.
Even if these signs initially do not notice, over time they can opacify the wood or alter the color. There is no need to be alarmed, but be aware: better not to risk on surfaces that you want to keep for a long time.
Here are the main risks related to the use of baking soda on the treated wood:
- Abrasivity: even if fine, bicarbonate acts like a glass card
- Opacification: Removes the protective shiny layer
- Discolor: mechanical action can alter the original color
- Residues: if not well rinsed, leaves whitish halos
- Early wear: shortens the life of the protective finishes
There are those who think that, so much, “a pass every now and then does not hurt”. But on hand -finished surfaces or treated with natural paints, even a single application can leave its mark.
Better to prevent them than to restore
To maintain the treated wood beautiful over time, the golden rule is simple: do not improvise. Although certain ingredients seem harmless, their interaction with the finishes can be unpredictable. Rather, it is better to focus on specific products for wood, formulated precisely to respect its structure.
And when you want to try a natural remedy, it is always worth doing a test in a hidden corner. A small test can avoid great damage. Because with wood, you know, every sign remains imprinted for a long time.
So be careful of the enthusiasm from natural cleaning: it takes little to transform a loved furniture into a memory to be covered with a tablecloth.
Photo © Stock.adobe
FOLLOW CASTLI NEWS ON
