Have you ever wondered why the lemon fruit which seems to be synonymous with possessing high acidity and grease stripping/busting power is used, its oil (lemon oil) as wood furniture polish? Have you never wondered or feared how the extracts of the citrus fruit which most of use add to our dish washing regime to help clean oily plates will somehow strip of that layer of gloss/sheen from your wooden table?
Well I have and asking the question got me the following explanation.
Contrary to the common misconception, lemon oil is not at all drying. In fact is it lubricating and possesses antiseptic properties, which is what makes it ideal for use to care for your wooden treasures.
However if you’re truly into caring for your furniture, the commercially sold bottles of lemon oil furniture cleaners aren’t your best friends. They neither are environmentally friendly nor are they in any way your general health buddy because they contain more petroleum distillates and solvents than you should care to be exposed to. The caution label on your bottle of furniture polish that reads “Flammable” is one sure tell tale sign that it contains petroleum.
If pure lemon oil were used, you would find that cleaning your furniture leaves you with the therapeutic effects of being uplifted and invigorated instead of feeling irritable, depressed, and moody! If you find it difficult to find a pure lemon oil furniture polish off the shelf, then you’ll be glad to know just how easy it really is to make your own lemon. All you need lemon oil, lemon juice and olive oil in the following proportions:
- 10 drops lemon oil*
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- A few drops olive oil or alternatively jojoba oil
*The purest lemon oil is easily made available by herbalists.
Alternatively you may also choose to use 1/4 cup vinegar (apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar) plus a few drops of olive oil or jojoba oil.
And if you’re going with the lemon oil method you’ll find you have ample lemon juice left over from juicing an entire lemon (you only needed 2 tbsp for the furniture polish mixture). So here’s a tip you can use to avoid wasting it – Rub the lemon juice into your wooden chopping board and leave it to soak overnight. The next morning before use, just give the chopping board a good rinse and you’ll find the lemon juice has just helped you kill any bacteria and neutralize any remaining odours, thanks its anti-bacterial properties.
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