This weirdly named, non-toxic, all-natural furniture polish is my go-to solution for shining wood and dull surfaces, removing fingerprints from appliances, and removing sticky labels. It’s easy to make, cost-effective, and works great—the best part, it’s all-natural and non-toxic. Try this DIY furniture polish, stainless steel polish, leather cleaner, and label remover in one!
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DIY All Natural Furniture Polish
I used to rely on commercial furniture oil until I started reading cleaner labels and discovered they were full of harmful chemicals… and rated F (as in FAIL) by the Environmental Working Group.
After seeing its laundry list of questionable ingredients, I couldn’t help but imagine my kids dropping food on a freshly polished table and then picking it up to eat without a second thought. Were they consuming harmful chemicals because I wanted a shiny table?
So, I said goodbye to commercial furniture polish, rolled up my sleeves, and made a homemade wood polish I call Wonder Dressing!
And yes, the name is a bit quirky! I call it Wonder Dressing because the ingredients are ones you might find in homemade salad dressing (minus the essential oils), which means that it meets my safety standards as I move toward a more natural, non-toxic home.
But trust me, it is effective even if the name is odd! Replacing commercial furniture polish with homemade Wonder Dressing lets you rest easy knowing your surfaces are clean and safe.
Versatile Uses
This all-natural furniture polish is a game-changer for your home. Wonder Dressing isn’t just for wood! Here’s what it can do:
- Dust and protect finished wood surfaces (cabinets, furniture, railings, etc.)
- Remove fingerprints and smudges from stainless steel appliances
- Minimize water damage rings or spots on furniture
- Dust and polish leather furniture
- Shine faucets and help them resist water spots
- Remove sticky residue left by price tags on glass or plastic items
- And more!
Basically, I make a batch and walk around the house, shining things up until it is gone. (Yes, I’m a green cleaning nerd.)
How to Make Wonder Dressing
Making this homemade cleaner is a breeze. Here are the detailed instructions:
Ingredients
You need just four natural ingredients to make this polish:
- 1 Tbsp olive oil (0.5 ounces)
- 6 drops lemon or orange essential oil, optional
- 1/2 Tbsp white vinegar (0.25 ounces)
- 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice , fresh or bottled (0.25 ounces)
Tip: You can also use homemade orange or citrus-scented vinegar in this recipe! It’s a great way to use up citrus peels and adds a subtle fragrance.
Directions
- Combine the olive oil and essential oils (if using) in a bowl or glass jar and whisk or stir until fully incorporated, ensuring even distribution.
- Add the white vinegar and lemon juice, then whisk or stir until the mixture slightly thickens and the oil doesn’t separate.
- Store in a labeled glass jar or spray bottle for up to 3 months in a cool, dark cabinet.
- Shake or stir to recombine before using if the oil separates. If the polish starts to smell bad or changes color, dispose of it.
Recommended Application
This polish is recommended for wooden furniture, leather, and stainless steel surfaces. It removes fingerprints and smudges while protecting against water damage and stains leaving surfaces polished and residue-free. (Note: Test this and any new cleaner in an inconspicuous area for any adverse reactions.)
- Dust the surface with a clean, damp cloth to remove any loose dirt or debris.
- Shake the bottle of homemade furniture polish well if it has separated.
- Apply the furniture polish with a soft cloth or spray directly onto the furniture—apply lightly—a little goes a long way!
- Gently rub the polish onto the surface with a clean, dry cotton cloth using circular motions. Buff the area until it shines.
- Enjoy your freshly polished surfaces!
Cleaning Tips
- Always use a clean cloth to apply natural homemade furniture polish.
- Buff away excess polish until the surface is shiny and dry.
- Store polish in a glass jar or glass spray bottle to prevent plastic seepage that essential oils can cause.
- Use caution on hardwood floors; it can cause them to become slippery.
- Do not use it on unfinished wood furniture. It can be used on cutting boards if using food-safe essential oils.
- To remove fingerprints and smudges from stainless steel appliances, clean the surface with a damp rag, then apply a small amount of polish and buff with the grain.
- Minimize the appearance of water damage rings or spots on wood furniture by applying the polish and then heat the area gently with a hair dryer. Buff the remaining polish away.
- Shine faucets and help them resist water spots by wiping the fixtures clean with a damp rag, then lightly apply polish and buff away.
- Remove sticky/tacky residue left by price tags on glass or plastic items by applying the polish generously to the residue, let the polish soak into the label adhesive for 10-20 minutes, then scrub gently.
DIY Polish Cost
This solution costs just $1.06 for 2 ounces ($0.53 per ounce), and 2 ounces goes a long way! Here’s the cost breakdown by ingredient (shopping at Target in 2024):
- Olive oil (0.5 oz) = $0.62
- Vinegar (0.25 oz) = $0.02
- Lemon juice (0.25 oz) = $0.04
- Essential oil (6 drops) = $0.38
A bottle of Pledge Multisurface Enhancing Polish Spray costs approximately $0.58 per ounce (that’s 8.62% more), AND it contains at least 8 ingredients, including synthetic fragrances: Water, C7-8 Isoparaffin, Dimethicone, Nitrogen, Sorbitan Oleate; Glycerin; Fragrances; Bronopol.
I’ll take the cheaper four-ingredient, all-natural polish, thank you very much! It’s a win-win for homemade cleaning products.
Furniture Polish Substitutions
You can get creative with this recipe! Feel free to experiment and find the combination that works best for you. Here are a few possible substitutions:
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a great base for this polish because it is eco-friendly, cost-effective, and many people already have it in their kitchens. However, you can also use other natural oils such as:
- Fractionated coconut oil: This liquid coconut oil is known for its moisturizing properties.
- Walnut oil: This oil is similar to the natural oils found in wood.
- Jojoba oil: This oil is actually a liquid wax that closely resembles the natural oils produced by our skin.
Tip: I do not recommend using mineral oil, which is made from petroleum.
Vinegar
White vinegar is a powerful, eco-friendly cleaner thanks to the acetic acid it contains. It can dissolve grime and hard water, neutralize odors, and help remove mold and mildew.
You may substitute apple cider vinegar in this recipe if you do not have white vinegar. I prefer white vinegar because it has a milder scent.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice contains citric acid, an eco-friendly cleaning agent that dissolves grease, grime, and hard water, neutralizes odors, and helps remove mold and mildew. If you are worried about the polish going bad or turning rancid, make it in small batches (as indicated in the recipe) or omit the lemon juice and replace it with white vinegar.
Essential Oils
Many commercial and DIY wood polishes use lemon or citrus oils to enhance their products for two reasons:
- The oil extracted from the peels of oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits contains limonene (often referred to as d-limonene or citrus terpenes). It is a fragrance agent, a degumming agent, and a gentle yet powerful solvent that can remove stains, grease, and tar and leave a high shine on hard surfaces.
- Citrus oils leave a fresh, clean scent that many people find appealing. This can make your home smell great after cleaning.
You may substitute other essential oils, such as lemongrass or grapefruit, but make sure they are safe for your pets and family members and food surfaces if the polish is going to be used on tables or in the kitchen. You may also omit the essential oils.
More Eco-Friendly Wood Cleaning
Looking for more wood cleaners? Keep your home in tip-top shape with these all-natural DIYs:
Here’s the bottom line…
Wonder Dressing is an all-natural furniture polish that’s safe for your family and versatile enough to clean wood, stainless steel, leather, and more. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients, including olive oil, vinegar, and lemon juice, plus it’s cost-effective at just $0.87 for 2 ounces. Next time you’re polishing surfaces, give it a try to keep your home clean and green.
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Tracy Esposito
Can I use apple cider vinegar? I am out of white vinegar.
Bren
Yes, you can use cider vinegar but it might change the smell a bit.
Cynthia Ramberg
What can I use in place of vodka? I can’t have alcohol in my household.
Bren
Hi Cynthia! You don’t need any vodka in this recipe just vinegar!
Lorraine Cappuccio
Hi,
Is it necessary to use the essential oil?
Thanks
Bren
No, you can skip them.
Kari H.
Hi there 🙂
Can this wonder dressing be used to clean stainless steel appliances?
Thanks!
Bren
I’ve successfully used it on my stainless steel trash can and appliances after they have been wiped clean.
Trisha Gawley
Hi,
Can you explain how it’s OK to use vinegar in this wood polish when the other post on uses for vinegar states not to use it on wood surfaces?
I have a beautiful midcentury dinning room table and need to find a good cleaner!
Thanks!
Bren
Trisha, I would not use vinegar to clean wood on a regular basis or on unfinished wood it can damage the surfacs. On a well finished wood surface this polish can be occasionally used to cut through grime and add shine. I would make sure the finish on your table is in good condition before trying this polish. You are the best judge of what would work for you item. Good luck!
Wood worker
Hey Trisha.. This is quite a late comment on your post but maybe it can still help. I worked for a man in restauration and he used ‘soft soap’ (I hope this is the correct translation).. It comes in those big buckets and is what all the old folks used to wash wooden floors or for cleaning in general. You add a tiny bit to warm water and depending on how sensitive the timber is, scrub accordingly.
Always make sure to dry the timber up well with a towel afterwards and don’t scrub it moist. If you do and your table happens to be soft wood you will remove all the softer growth rings, leaving your surface looking bumpy.
Good luck on the project
Cen
may i ask something?
so why should we add vinegar for the solution?
Bren
Cen, vinegar contains acetic acid which breaks down grease, germs and mold.
Cen
hey, thanks for the reply 🙂
Amy
Hello Bren. Just wondering, in all the recipes for laundry and dishwasher detergent that calls for vinegar, you mention only white vinegar or orange vinegar. Will Apple Cider Vinegar work as well?
Bren
I generally use white vinegar because it is less expensive and does not contain sentiment that apple cider vinegar sometimes contain. You can try apple cider vinegar and see how you like the results. Good luck!
Lori
Hello Bren,
What a wonderful blog-website you have! I noticed you used this on your wooden floors. Years and years ago, my husband and I rented a home that had hardwoods throughout. I was dusting the furniture and unbeknownst to me, the commercial cleaner I was using over sprayed onto the floor. The next morning when I got up, (I had socks on) one of my little ones was crying so I ran into his room, my feet flew out from under me and I went down an entire flight of steps. It literally knocked the wind out of me, let alone a HUGE bruise on my backside! Does this product leave a slippery residue? We have since purchased a home w/ hardwoods throughout and I’d love to keep up with the ‘shiny’ look but am very afraid as you probably would expect.
Thanks for the insight!
Lori
Bren
Lori, it will make the floor a bit slick… especially if it is not buffed well… so I would probably not use it on stairs. You can read more about how I clean wood floors here.
Mary
Mine will not mix , keeps separating. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mary
Bren
It will work fine if separated, just give it a shake before using. You can try storing it in a cooler place to help it combine.
Lisa
Where do you get essential oils?
Bren
Lisa, you can buy essential oils lots of places. Just make sure they say 100% essential oil.
Jackie
Have you ever used this on leather shoes?
Bren
Interesting idea, Jackie! I have not used it on leather shoes. I have used it on leather furniture. Let me know if you try it on shoes!
Jo
Love it!! Great citrus smell too
Bren
Thanks Jo! Glad you like the recipe!
faith
Can you use lime juice instead of lemon juice?
Bren
Faith, I have never tried lime juice but this article says it works. If you try using lime juice please let me know how it works for you! 🙂
Becca
Can you store your cleaners for later use?
Bren
Becca, yes you can store the Wonder Dressing for future use. It is thicker when you first make it and thinner after it is stored but it still works great. Hope this helps!
Denise
Hi Bren
Can you use coconut oil instead of olive oil in this as well as your wood floor restore?
Bren
Good question, Denise! You should be able to use fractionated coconut oil in both recipes. I would recommend making a small batch to test it as I have never personally used it before. (Fractionated coconut oil is a liquid and does not become solid at room temperature like Virgin Coconut oil.) I generally use cheap olive oil in my cleaning products for cost savings but other natural oils should work too. Please let me know how it turns out or if you have other questions.
Denise
Thanks for replying so quickly Bren…I have Virgin Coconut Oil at home, its hot here in Jamaica and most times VCO is liquid. I will try and let you know how it works. I discovered your site today and must commend you on your work. Very informative blog! I will be launching my All Natural Skin Care line soon and would appreciate any advise you have to offer in this area. Thanks much…:-)
Rikki
Are the essential oils needed? I have everything else at home.
Bren
Rikki, the essential oils add scent but the recipe works perfectly well without them! Hope you like the recipe!