Even after hours of searching for the right wood type, arranging a convenient schedule for your paneling project, efforts in finding and working with skilled contractors, and huge investment in your dream interior design, a maintenance plan should be in place to keep your investment in top form. Wooderra can guide you in this important process, as we wish to ensure that our customers are offered the most resilient and alluring wooden panels and it is also our job to offer our expertise to help you maintain their attributes are preserved long-term.

1. WHAT'S YOUR WOOD FINISH?

First thing, it is useful to know the type of finish that is applied to your wood panels. Thus, if your panels are:

• Finished with shiny paint on a surface - mild household cleaning agents, which don't contain strong alkalis and solvents solutions, should be fine.
• Finished by hand-rubbing, staining technique, or natural finishes - extra care is needed so choose a product that will not deteriorate, fade, or stain the surface. This applies to all types of wood. On the other hand, if color is a consideration, consult with your finished panelling provider or manufacturer. Because the product is finished differently depending on each woodwork, they can advise you further on the most suitable cleaning product. The good news is Wooderra staff is happy to help you with this.
• Genuine wood or artificial wood panels - apply the same technique as above, but make sure they have been coated with varnish or sealant. If they are not, simply incorporate mild soap and water to clean them periodically.
• Uncoated or unfinished raw wood such as cedar panels might be a bit of a challenge. The reason is that lacking a coat of finish means all the grease, crayon, and fingerprints will be absorbed by the grain of the wood. We will discuss the cleaning techniques for this particular panelling later in this article (Section 4).

2. FIRST, DUST

Use a soft cloth and turning and refolding it frequently, so you will place a clean area of the cloth on the wood. Replace the cloth as necessary.

If you choose a vacuum cleaner, make sure to go along the grain from top to bottom. For removing smudges, it is recommended that you use special cleaners available in the form of rub-on oils or sprays.

After dusting, you may determine that a wet cleaning method is advisable. You can use a soft sponge with a warm soapy water. We have some good recipes below for making a cleaning solution that is compatible with any finish.

Note: Only when dusting is insufficient to restore the wood's finish and tone of the wood will you need a more comprehensive cleaning program.

3. HOW TO CLEAN FINISHED WOOD PANELS

You may choose to clean any finished wood panels in the following ways.

Option 1

Things you will need:

• Warm soapy water
• Sponge/cloth

With warm soapy water: apply the solution gently with a sponge; next, rinse the sponge with clean water and squeeze out the dirty water in a separate bucket/basin; finally, buff the wall until it is dry with a clean lint-free cloth by wiping with the grain in small sections to avoid streaks and bring out the luster of the paneling.

Option 2

Things you will need:

• Spray bottle
• Warm water
• Apple-cider vinegar
• Mineral oil

Take advantage of this homemade cleaner recipe - a spray bottle in which 1 cup of warm water, ½ cup of apple-cider vinegar, and ½ cup of mineral oil are mixed, and shake well. Do not use this mixture on unfinished wood panels.

Spray it on the wall; next, use a clean rag to rub it in, don't forget to take out any dirty spots; then buff the panel as described above.

Option 3

Things you will need:

• Mild detergent
• Lemon oil
• Spray bottle

Another homemade wood recipe – combine mild detergent and lemon oil together in a spray bottle, and shake well. (Note to avoid vegetable oils due to their food components. After a while, they will rancid and creates unpleasant odor in your interior). Do not use this mixture on unfinished wood panels.

Spray the mixture on the panels for a clear, smudge-free sheen; use the same application method and finish by buffing as described above.

4. HOW TO CLEAN UNFINISHED WOOD PANELS

This will be challenging. The panels which are bare, unfinished or uncoated will allow the wood to soak up moisture like sponge.

Things you will need:

• -Wood stain (to cover damages or imperfections)
• -Oil
• -Polish
• -Soft brush
• -Damp cloth

The first thing to do is check for any damages or blots. You might want to mask these with a stain, or sand it away and refinish the whole thing.

If your wood panels are new and unfinished, make it a priority on your maintenance list to frequently polish the panels with oil and polish to maintain its good condition. Many choose to have unfinished wood panels because they will eventually mature and acquire a beautiful patina. Unfinished wood is also a favorite in many types of flooring as well.

• Brush the surface with a soft bristled brush
• Go over gently with a damp cloth only when the surface is smooth
• Reach out to wood restoration professional for a recommendation on special-care treatment of your unfinished wood panels.

5. IMPORTANT TIPS

• Always read instructions of wood panels cleaners carefully before usage
• Before starting to clean, test any potential solution on a small area of paneling where it is not visible in the room (e.g. behind the furniture) to be sure that it does not discolor or damage the wood.
• Do not leave homemade cleaner or chemical cleaner on the panels for too long; otherwise, white haze will form on the surface. For maximum effectiveness and zero/minimum damage, leave on for not less than 1 minute and not longer than 2.
• Homemade cleansers and raw wood do not get along, so don't use our homemade options (Section 3) on your unfinished panels.

6. PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT

Proper wood panel maintenance assures homeowners that their investment in rich, great-looking walls will retain its luster and value over time. The important key point is to commit to the routine regularly.

If you need assistance or further instructions with your wood panels, do not hesitate to contact our team!