• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Wellness Mama script logo

Wellness Mama®

Simple Answers for Healthier Families

  • About
  • Favorites
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Health
  • Natural Home
  • Motherhood
  • Mindset
  • Natural Remedies
  • Beauty
  • Organization
  • Travel
  • Reviews
  • Recipes
DIY Dusting Spray
  • Natural Home

DIY Dusting Spray for Cleaning Wood Furniture

Katie WellsFeb 20, 2018Updated: Jul 30, 2019
Reading Time: 4 min

This post contains affiliate links.
Click here to read my affiliate policy.

Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Home » DIY Dusting Spray for Cleaning Wood Furniture
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Kids: Can’t Live with ‘Em, Can’t Live without ‘Em
  • What Is Dust, Anyway?
  • What About Microfiber Cloths?
  • How to Make a Natural Furniture Dusting Spray+−
    • Vinegar
    • Essential Oils
  • DIY Wood Dusting Spray Recipe+−
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • How to Use
    • How to Store and Cautions
  • Other Favorite DIY Cleaners

Dust … it’s everywhere and seems to multiply. It has a way of accumulating on furniture, books, and in little hidden places. Dusting furniture is one of those time-consuming chores I can’t stand, so I decided long ago to use natural homemade cleaners like this wood furniture cleaner and polish in place of chemical-laden conventional ones (so I could let the kids do it for me help).

I do buy my cleaners more than I used to, but old habits die hard and since I have the ingredients on hand already (and it’s so much cheaper than buying it) I still make this wood dusting spray recipe on a regular basis. Not to mention it’s so much cheaper!

Kids: Can’t Live with ‘Em, Can’t Live without ‘Em

While it’s super useful having an army of kids helping around the house, they of course also leave their own special touches to make sure I know they’re around! As anyone with littles knows, the fingerprints and smudges on the table and furniture are never-ending.

This dusting spray can not only make a house healthier by tackling the ever-present dust, (which is laden with toxins and mold and things we don’t want to breathe) but because it contains vinegar and oil (just like a salad?) it also cuts through grime and leaves wood furniture with some extra shine and protection.

What Is Dust, Anyway?

Dust isn’t just unsightly, it’s downright unhealthy. It is true that dust contains mostly shed human skin, but it’s much more complex and surprising than that (and not in a good way!). It can include everything from decomposing insects and animal fur to more troubling components like lead, arsenic, and even DDT.

Studies show chronic exposure to dust may lead to a hyper-stimulated immune system and the development of allergies, asthma, and accumulation of toxins, especially in children genetically predisposed to problems in these areas.

How do things like arsenic and DDT get into dust? Dust is like a living history of the house, and there are many materials used in building homes (especially today) and around our homes (think cars, golf courses, and factories) that contribute to household dust. Studies have demonstrated how traces of a specific chemical can linger for years in indoor environments.

Are you feeling the urge to get up and dust yet? I am!

What About Microfiber Cloths?

Yes, I am a big fan of microfiber still and I use just microfiber and water around the house for all kinds of jobs. Microfiber cloths work amazingly well but I do find using a dusting spray seems to repel dust longer and offer more shine. The little kids also love few things more than a spray bottle and a rag, and I am more than happy to let them spray/dust away their own fingerprints and food crumbs to their heart’s content!

So, fear not, my cleaning cloths are safe and still in use. These are the ones I’m using now.

How to Make a Natural Furniture Dusting Spray

In searching for a spray that would not only clean the surfaces of my furniture but also sanitize and nourish wood, I needed just a few household ingredients:

Vinegar

Vinegar is one of those ubiquitous natural cleaners that can be used for everything from hair care to laundry. Even though vinegar is not my first choice of cleaners because of its smell, in this recipe it is the best choice. Vinegar easily cuts through the grime and dirt on any surface without needing to scrub and has disinfecting properties that gently deep clean without damaging the finish.

I did find a sneaky way around the smell with a leftover ingredient I always have on hand — orange peels!

How to Make Infused Vinegar: Place the peel of one orange in a glass jar and cover with vinegar. Let this stand for at least two weeks. The vinegar will develop a nice orange hue and smell much less like vinegar and more like the potent citrus cleaner it is. If you aren’t a fan of oranges, any citrus will work–grapefruits, lemons, tangerines, or even those sweet, little Cuties©!

Essential Oils

What goes with vinegar? Well, oil of course! I chose to use lemon and cedarwood essential oils because of their cleaning properties and their smell. Cedarwood has a calming effect for me (remember, I don’t like to dust!), but more importantly has strong antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial capabilities so it is a great addition to any cleaner.

Oil adds a shine to the wood while protecting and nourishing it. My go-to oils for this are sunflower oil or fractionated coconut oil. Really any oil you choose will work … just remember, if you wouldn’t cook with it don’t use it on your furniture!

DIY Wood Dusting Spray Recipe

A simple, natural dusting spray suitable for cleaning and nourishing wood.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup vinegar (orange-infused for extra cleaning power and scent!)
  • 2 TBSP oil (sunflower, grapeseed, fractionated coconut, or olive are my top choices)
  • 12-15 drops lemon essential oil
  • 5 drops cedarwood essential oil

Instructions

  1. Pour water and vinegar into spray bottle.
  2. Add oil and essential oils.
  3. Cover bottle and shake well.

How to Use

Simply lightly mist the furniture or a soft cloth and wipe down the entire piece. The dust and grime will disappear and a beautiful shine will be left behind. For even more shine, try following up with cleaner with a bit of straight coconut oil.

Note: Because this recipe contains oil, I don’t use this spray on stainless steel, granite, glass, or walls. I keep it by the dining room table and the kids know to use it on the wood furniture for dusting chores.

How to Store and Cautions

Essential oils are potent. An amber glass bottle is recommended to keep the essential oils from damaging the bottle. Shake before each use! Not recommended for unfinished wood or fine antiques.

Other Favorite DIY Cleaners

  • Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner – Are you a cleaning minimalist? Try this spray that does it all. Four ingredients and thirty seconds to mix it up is all it takes!
  • Natural Granite Cleaner – Includes an ingredient that might seem unusual for a streak-free shine on counters.
  • Glass Cleaner – No need for that bright blue, highly scented stuff … vinegar + water cuts through dirt and leaves glass streak free.
  • Bathroom Cleaner – For heavy-duty cleaning (with a little germ-fighting help from the right essential oils).
  • Toilet Cleaner – Use undiluted white vinegar, pour around the top of the toilet bowl, scrub until clean.

How do you keep your wood looking great?

Category: Natural Home

Share this article

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
Print / PDF / Email

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

  • All Posts

You may also enjoy these posts…

Lemon Basil Natural All-Purpose Cleaning Spray Recipe

Lemon Basil Natural Cleaning Spray (Borax Free)

Bath and Shower Cleaner Spray to Tackle Rust and Soap Scum

DIY Bath and Shower Spray for Soap Scum, Rust

DIY Granite Cleaner

Easy DIY Granite Cleaner for Naturally Clean Countertops

sunburn after spray

Soothing DIY Sunburn Spray Recipe With CBD and Lavender

sea salt spray for hair

DIY Sea Salt Spray For Hair

How to distress wood and weather it in 24 hours with natural ingredients

How to Distress Wood With Tea, Vinegar, and Steel Wool (in 24 hours)

Reader Interactions

Discussion (21 Comments)

  1. Beverly

    February 25, 2018 at 1:42 PM

    Wood furniture usually is already coated with a polyurethane or varnish. I’m wondering why it would be beneficial to put oil in this since it shouldn’t be able to penetrate finished wood pieces. Seems like it would be more of a dust attractant?

    Reply
  2. Mimi

    February 25, 2018 at 12:08 PM

    Will this work on top grain leather furniture?

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      February 26, 2018 at 10:56 AM

      It’s designed for wood, not leather, but I would be cautious of trying it…

      Reply
  3. Carmen

    February 25, 2018 at 11:06 AM

    Katie, in earlier posts you mentioned using canola oil for cleaning so as not to waste it, now you’re saying that if you don’t cook with it, don’t use it on your furniture… what’s the scoop?

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      March 12, 2018 at 10:24 PM

      That was more tongue and cheek. In reality, canola won’t hurt furniture, but I don’t have it in my house at all anymore so I don’t even use it in recipes like this.

      Reply
  4. Jasa

    February 22, 2018 at 6:06 PM

    Katie,
    I have found that using vinegar & a little water changes the color of wood. I had a aide that made a mistake and put some on a older furniture piece, it went through the shiny finish and turned it a orange color. She had used the rag for cleaning my class tables. Do you have another formula without vinegar and water?

    Reply
  5. Ann

    February 21, 2018 at 5:25 PM

    Will this work on 100% wood furniture?We only have 100% oak antique ones,and I know that even a drop of water can damage them.

    Reply
  6. Donna R

    February 21, 2018 at 12:48 PM

    Which version of cedarwood essential oil do you use/recommend? I see there is a variety out there! They all appear to be kid safe, but not safe if pregnant.

    Atlas
    Himalayan
    Virginia
    Texas

    Reply
  7. Jen H

    February 21, 2018 at 10:47 AM

    Would this be as effective without the essential oils added?

    Reply
  8. Charlotte

    February 21, 2018 at 7:56 AM

    Can this be used on other surfaces too, such as granite and stainless?

    Reply
  9. Karen

    February 21, 2018 at 2:42 AM

    Is there such a thing as amber glass spray bottles so I don’t have to keep leftover solution in my plastic spray bottle? Or is it ok to keep it in plastic?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      February 21, 2018 at 9:21 AM

      I like these.

      Reply
  10. Estee

    February 21, 2018 at 12:45 AM

    Katie I can’t wait to make this! What do you mean by “orange infused vinegar”?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      February 21, 2018 at 9:18 AM

      Fill a mason jar with vinegar and put an orange peel in it. Let it sit for at least 24 hours 🙂

      Reply
Newer Comments »

Join the Conversation... Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Please read the comment policy.

Recipe Rating




The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service, Full Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, Affiliate Disclosure, and Comment Policy. Content may not be reproduced in any form. Ads provided by CafeMedia Family & Parenting Network. Displayed ads do not constitute endorsement or recommendation by Wellness Mama.


Content

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Favorites
  • Wellnesse

Support

  • Newsletter
  • Podcast Application
  • Medical Review Board
  • My Books
  • Sitemap
  • Contact

Policies

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Full Disclaimer
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Promo Guidelines
  • Comment Policy

Join the
Wellness Mama Tribe!


Copyright © 2023 · Wellness Mama® · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding