Hello all! Thanks for taking the time to “listen.”

Following up on my previous thread, I bought the 1930s+ china cabinet, which is either Walnut or Cherry. (No, I can’t tell for sure which.) The previous owner refinished it so it’s difficult to discern the original color of the wood. (Ideas? I guess I can look at areas on the bottom or back that weren’t redone.) In any event, I did some research on how best to clean it but I’m a little — actually very — confused. Here’s why:

Some people advise using lemon oil (applying it with a soft cloth, letting it sit overnight, and then wiping it down), while another apparently experienced antique owner opined: “Never, never, never put any kind of oil on your wood unless it is an oily wood like teak. Oil will attract dirt and will not nurture your wood.” Still others say to use an oil-based cleanser if the original finish was oil based but a wax-based cleanser if the original finish was wax based. And then there are those who recommend a warm water/soap mixture (warning, of course, not to let the piece get too wet), while others state emphatically that water should never be used on wood.

Oh, and let me not forget the individual who warned that even if there is only a remote chance that there were mice nearby that I need to clean it in a well-ventilated area using a mask to avoid getting nasty diseases from the dust/dirt. (Generally good advice, regardless how I plan to clean it, but, as for the mice, how am I supposed to know? Its previous owner lived in a house in a very nice neighborhood in Los Angeles but I don’t know much about the area’s mice demographic. Regardless, I guess it’s too late to worry about all of that since I’ve already touched it to inspect it and measure it several times over and likely breathed in various dust particles in the process sans protection.) I believe he also recommended using turpentine. But while I’m sure the chemical will kill whatever germs have been left behind, I think I’d rather take my chances with the mice diseases.

In short, “Help!” 🙂 Any thoughts are greatly appreciated, and a consensus is especially welcome. I’m eager to clean this thing and put it to good use! 🙂

Thanks again!

Ann