When shopping for furniture polish, it’s important to consider its purpose. Anne Knowing, California-based cleaning expert, notes, “Keep in mind that different cleaners work for different purposes and that the best thing you can do is to get a formula made for your needs.” Some options condition and moisturize old wood. Others are perfect for cleaning and dusting. You should also consider a polish’s ease of use and scent. To help you find the best furniture polish, we researched top picks with these considerations in mind. Our top pick, the Weiman Cabinet & Wood Clean & Shine Spray, cleans and conditions, resulting in an improved finish with routine use. It’s also easy to apply and has a nice scent. Here, the best furniture polishes to keep wood pieces clean and protected. This spray is good for any finished wood, including tables, chairs, office and bedroom furniture, cabinets, panels, doors, trim, benches, and clocks. You can also use it on small wooden decorative items—just take care to avoid other materials such as metal. This polish isn’t great to use on floors, since it can get quite slippery. It checks all the other boxes, though. Price at time of publish: $17 Now, because it is so versatile, the formula is made to be a cleaner rather than a wood conditioner. However, it immediately tackles dust and dirt, and doesn’t leave a waxy residue behind. The aerosol spray bottle makes it super easy to apply, but you’ll need a cloth to wipe it away. Make sure you wipe off any excess, since it doesn’t get worked into the wood grain, to enhance the look and shine of your furniture. Price at time of publish: $3 The ECOS Furniture Polish + Cleaner is also safe for septic systems, cruelty-free, and certified by the EPA Safer Choice program. The company ensures that manufacturing of the product is carbon-neutral and water-neutral, and uses renewable energy. So, not only does the product itself keep the environment safe, the entire production process does, too. We also love that it works well on various surfaces, including wood, Formica, particleboard, and vinyl. Price at time of publish: $12 The orange scent is strong, but not overpowering for most. This is a thicker formula that requires some effort to work into the wood grain. Use a cloth or rag you don’t mind throwing away. Since this product can stain, don’t put it in the laundry, where the wax can get onto other clothing and linens, too. As a plus, the product is super affordable. Price at time of publish: $10 You can also pour it directly onto the wood surface and then wipe the excess away. However, for smaller wood surfaces, this results in a lot of waste and the need to replace the container more often. Notably, the oil works on wood to bring out a shine and reduce any haze that builds up over time. Make sure not to get the oil on metal parts, because it can lead to rust. You should also take care to avoid furniture and other textiles that can be stained by the oil. Price at time of publish: $4 We love that they are handy to carry around and use anywhere due to the resealable pouch. They also create a protective barrier and will remove fingerprints, dust, smudges, and smears to reveal a shiny finish. This formula is also offered in an aerosol spray, if you want something that’s a little less wasteful. Price at time of publish: $6 The recommended use is to spray this cleaner directly on your cleaning cloth or rag, which you need to supply separately. This means you can use it with a duster, rag, or other application cloth. It also keeps the product from being wasted. Keep in mind that this cleaner targets dust. It doesn’t work as a conditioner or moisturizer. While it does give a slight shine, it won’t improve the condition of your wood over time. We love the fresh lemon scent it gives off, though, so you will know that your home is fresh and clean. Price at time of publish: $7 You will need to get a separate application cloth and make sure that the product doesn’t run or pool. It comes in a small container, but you should only need to apply it periodically once your leather is restored. The larger size is ready to apply, while the smaller bottle is concentrated and needs to be mixed with water before use. Price at time of publish: $17 Sprays—including our best overall pick, the Weiman Cabinet & Wood Clean & Shine Spray, and our best budget pick, the Favor Spray Furniture Polish Spray—are a good mixture of being easy to apply and effective.
Purpose
Some furniture polish works to clean and get rid of dust and dirt. Other products clean, as well as condition and moisturize the wood. Consider what you need your furniture polish to do. Formulas that condition are often more expensive than just cleaners. You may want to use different products periodically through the year, opting for less expensive cleaners for routine use and conditioners as needed. Keep in mind what surface you’re trying to condition. Some polishes are made for wood, stainless steel, and other common household surfaces, whereas others are only made for a single surface. When looking for a wood polish, ensure that it works on the type of wood your furniture is. For example, some wood polishes are for finished wood, while others are made for unfinished wood surfaces—like our best for unfinished wood pick, the Howard Wood Polish & Conditioner.
Scent
Furniture polishes often use citrus-based scents, such as lemon or orange. These can be chemical-based or derived from essential oils that actually help the product polish and clean your surfaces. A few are available in unscented varieties for those who are sensitive to smells or chemicals.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. To compile this list, she looked for furniture polishes with various uses—including cleaners, conditioners, and protective polishes. She also talked to California-based cleaning expert Anne Knowing about the importance of finding the right product for each need. Sprays are best applied directly to the furniture, but you will need to wipe away extra polish with a cloth or rag. Wipes are the easiest to use, and they only require that you take one out of the package and wipe it along the furniture. If you are restoring old or dry wood, use polish more frequently. Once it is conditioned, you can moisturize and condition every few weeks.
