Mahogany is dark-colored hardwood known for its durability and beauty. Whether it’s a dining room table or an outdoor deck, proper care will make mahogany wood lighter and keep it looking as rich and handsome as the day it was cut. This article explains how to lighten mahogany wood.
Follow these steps to preserve your mahogany and deepen its color.
Things Needed
- Standard wood or furniture cleaner
- Duster or damp cloth
- Non-metallic scrub brush
- Bucket of soapy water
- Outdoor wood stain
Step 1
Clean the surface of the furniture or deck. Keeping mahogany clean on a regular basis is the simplest and most effective way to lighten mahogany wood. Finished surfaces need only a damp cloth or duster to keep the surface free of dust.
Step 2
Do a wax cleaning once a month. Cleaning a finished, indoor mahogany piece with a table wax or standard wood furniture cleaner will keep the corrosive substance from building on the surface while adding an attractive sheen to the wood. This kind of once-monthly cleaning is an excellent way to care for indoor furniture as it takes very little time and is inexpensive. A light rub with the wax is enough to do the job properly.
Step 3
Do a deep scrub for outdoor mahogany. Use a non-metallic scrubbing brush and a bucket of soapy water to get mildew or sap out of the grain. Go over the surface two or three times and then rinse it thoroughly to wash all the soap residue away.
Step 4
Keep the wood out of the sun. An important part on how to lighten mahogany wood is keeping the wood in a shaded area. This will prevent the color from fading and the wood from splitting.
Step 5
Stain outdoor wood periodically. After cleaning is a good time to stain the wood to help seal it and preserve its natural qualities. Find a good stain, and apply the stain according to the product’s instructions.
How to Preserve Mahogany Wood
Mahogany wood can be easily preserve to ensure years of enjoyment.
Things Needed
- Felt-bottomed coasters
- Soft cloth
- High-quality furniture polish
- Touch-up marker
Step 1
Place your mahogany furniture away from sunny windows and heat sources such as heaters, radiators, and fireplaces. Sunlight and heat can dry out mahogany wood.
Step 2
Use wooden, felt-bottomed coasters under drinks placed on mahogany furniture. Other types of coasters, such as those made from paper or metal, can cause condensation to form on your wooden furniture.
Step 3
Prevent hot objects, such as hot food, from coming into direct contact with your mahogany furniture. Because heat can damage the wood’s finish, place hot items on coasters or serving plates to protect the surface.
Step 4
Wipe your mahogany furniture weekly with a soft, dry cloth, following the grain of the wood. To remove any stains or spots, dampen the cloth slightly with water and wipe the wood in the direction of the grain. Wipe gently until the spot is removed.
Step 5
Apply high-quality furniture polish to your mahogany items when they need added shine. Add a small amount of polish to a soft cloth and wipe onto your wooden item, following the grain of the wood. Wipe any remaining polish away with a dry, clean cloth.
Step 6
Select a touch-up marker in the shade slightly lighter than the mahogany wood to cover any nicks or scratches in the wooden piece. Apply the touch-up marker to your furniture, following the instructions on the marker. Continue to apply more coats of touch-up marker until the scratch is completely blended in with the rest of the furniture.
Hints
Avoid using lemon oil on mahogany items. Although it can add a shine to the surface of the wood, lemon oil formulations often contain kerosene, which can damage the wood’s finish. Avoid using cheap furniture polish on your mahogany furniture, as it can leave a film that attracts dust and other small particles.
Furniture made from mahogany always seems to attract attention. Although mahogany wood requires some care to preserve its beauty, many owners of this wooden furniture consider it well worth the effort. High-quality mahogany chairs, tables, cabinets, and bookcases can become heirloom pieces to be enjoyed for generations. How to lighten mahogany wood requires only some basic cleaning and polishing that will ensure the piece will last for years to come.
