The Gazette in Medina, Ohio

How to remove gummy buildup from older wood furniture

Gummy build up on wood furniture appears around high contact areas or entire surfaces from finish breakdown or cleaner residue. Experts advise starting with a damp cloth in mineral spirits to lift oily dirt, then using Dawn or Murphy’s oil soap in warm water for water soluble grime, always sparing on wetness. If stickiness persists, test finish type. For shellac, use denatured alcohol to revive, then recoat if needed. If the finish is lacquer or polyurethane, use half denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner to strip, or Citristrip stripping gel for tougher cases. Work in small areas, rinse sparingly, and dry between steps. If finish remains gummy after cleaning, consider complete stripping and refinishing with oil based stain.