Furniture wax, either paste or liquid, gives wooden pieces a hard finish and long-lasting protection. Wax is more durable than sprays or polishes and does not smear. Paste wax finishes can last up to two years, depending on how frequently you dust and maintain your furniture. Liquid wax is easier to apply, but it leaves a thinner coating and may require more frequent application than paste wax.
Furniture polish can add lustre to wooden furniture, but it does not last as long as wax. Liquid polishes, such as oil polish or emulsion cleaners, do not harm wood finishes and leave a lovely sheen, but they fade quickly after the liquid dries. Certain aerosol furniture polishes have an additional disadvantage: Their silicone oils can eat through varnish.

While you can buy a wood conditioner in the store and use it – it is as simple as that, you can actually make your own homemade furniture polish. If you decide to do that, you will not only use natural products and save money but also reduce the use of disposable aerosols and plastic packaging. The best part is that whenever you use a DIY wood polish, you don’t have to wonder about any toxic ingredients or chemicals it contains.

Here are some of the benefits of using homemade wood polish:

It is affordable – You can save money by using your own products. Mainly because you probably already have most of the ingredients. If you don’t they are extremely easy to find and rather inexpensive.
Natural – All recipes are chemical-free and completely safe for human health. Say goodbye to toxic chemicals. Some of the recipes are even edible.
Natural scents – Many people, including your pets, are allergic to the cheap scents used in commercial furniture polish. You’ll prefer the fresh scent of lemon to stinky fake perfumes. You can, in fact, add your favourite essential oil to the solution.
Eco-friendly – There will be no aerosol cans. You can make these fresh in a bowl or store them in a spray bottle.

Here are two of our favourite recipes:

Olive oil and lemon juice – This is an incredibly simple recipe and only includes two ingredients. Go to the kitchen and grab the olive oil and some lemon juice. To make the solution, mix 2 parts of olive oil and one part of lemon juice. Mix this in a bowl if you are going to use it immediately or pour it into a spray bottle if you want to save it for later. Keep in mind that it is best to use this product fresh, since letting it sit for a while, may cause it to go rancid.
To use this solution, pour a bit on a soft microfiber cloth and gently buff the surface of the wood after cleaning. Rub it in the wood, then wipe the whole area with a dry cloth.
You can add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to make the polish smell good.

Lemon juice and vinegar – This is another easy, two-ingredient wood polish that you can make at home. Again, both products needed for the recipe are probably already in your kitchen. You want to make a fresh batch for every use.
Always use this product after you are done with the cleaning of your wooden items. Mix equal parts of both ingredients in a small bowl. Apply it to the surface of the wood using a soft cloth (a microfiber cloth will suffice). Gently rub it in, then use a dry cloth to buff the wood and bring back the original shine.

Tips on using homemade wood polishes:

Whenever you mix a homemade solution and pour it into a spray bottle, do not forget to put a label on it. This is especially important if you have children in the house. You don’t want mystery bottles lying around. Even though all ingredients are completely safe, you want to avoid mistakes.
Make sure you shake the bottle well before using it. This will allow the ingredients to mix and you will be able to use the product as efficiently as possible.
You can use cheap or old olive oil for this recipe. While it may be shoved in the back of your kitchen cupboard because it does not taste good, it will do a great job of polishing your wooden furniture.
These ingredients should be safe to use around children and pets, but spray bottles and cleaning products should always be stored securely. You don’t want to encourage them to use cleaning products. Keep in mind that most products are not completely safe.
Only polish your furniture when needed. Whenever it is looking faded, dull, or has lost its shine. Do not condition the wood too often (especially when using commercial products) since that may cause a sticky buildup to develop and attract grime and dirt in the future.