Need to clean untreated pine TODAY without the aid of Stardrops please

Totts

Hi all,

I have had a peek at most of the threads from here (via a selection of searches) as I have some pine chairs that really need to be cleaned before they are collected. They have grubby fingermarks along the back, but have been stored in garage and attic also so are really in need of a good scrub to get the grey dust/dirt off of them.

I don't want to damage the pine, I know I can use stardrops, but I have phoned 6 local supermarkets, and the closest one to me with it in stock is a bus and a train ride away. I have someone helping me to clean them (they're rustic/ornately carved) and it needs to be done today, and then I was going to rub them over with some lemon and vegetable oil mix after they have completely dried.

The only choice available to me are some of the things in my cupboards that I already have, so if I list what they are can someone enlighten me as to a possible non harmful and potentially successful solution please?

I have:

Dove white soap
Astonish shampoo for carpets and upholstery (this is a spray-on)
Distilled water for Ironing with extract of lychee and notes of Jasmine
Lavender washing powder (BIOLOGICAL)
Fairy washing up liquid (green)
Easy inspirations aloe vera & orange blossom laundry tablets (NON BIO)
Vanish Carpet cleaner (3-in 1 carpet cleaner for a vax)
Cif Bathroom mousse
Vanish soap stick
Vanish Spray (for washing)
Puppy mild & gentle shampoo (clear/transparent)

Obvious stronger solutions - which I won't list as I assume they'll damage the wood.

I also have an old heavy duty scrubbing brush but I feel this may scratch the wood, so was thinking of a washing up brush, or a nailbrush.

Could anyone who may have any tips, tricks or **DO NOT's** please let me know ASAP whilst I've got someone here on hand to help me get them all done.

Thank you!

zzzLazyDaisy

I would start by giving the chairs a good brush down, or even a going over with the hoover, to get all loose dust and dirt off (it will only turn to mud if you wet it)

Then give it a wash with a mild solution of biological wash powder, and a soft cloth.

You might be surprised what comes off. If you have time, let them dry in the sunshine as the sun may also bleach out some marks.

You can then tackle the more stubborn stains if necessary.

It might be worth trying the bio solution on the underneath or inside a leg just to make sure it doesn't do anything nasty, but it should be okay.

Totts

Thanks - I will do a test patch now but any other tips welcome.
I do have vinegar and bicarb but that'll make them smelly like they've been nicked from the local chippy! LOL

Butterfly_Brain

I use liquid hand soap and warm water and it usually works.
Just a little bit of info for you poundland and 99p stores are currently stocking all the different stardrops products. Ysterday I picked up the Bathroom cleaner, kitchen cleaner, multi surface cleaner,anti bacterial cleaner, disinfectant spray and heavy duty cleaner all for £1 each well worth it and it will last me ages x

Totts

I don't have a Poundland nearby, but as it looks like I am going to have to travel further afield for Stardrops anyway I may aswell go to a store locator and see where my closest one is and combine it with other things I need to buy if poss.

Sometimes the beauty of smaller towns is that everything is so centralised - like when I lived in Bedford, things were all in a smaller city centre and much more accessible.

It wasn't as easy to get about to go elsewhere though as I didn't drive and the bus fares were astronomical, so it's swings and roundabouts. They did have a QD & Wilkinsons as well as an indoor and outdoor market, which I miss living in a part of London where things are a bit more sprawled out.

My chair obviously did have a wax treatment on it, but it was so dirty that I had to just go with the bio powder, which has worked well - maybe a few breasy spots remaining, but I will see if that is the wood grain or how it's drying by tomorrow and let you know.

Very grateful for the tips and assistance on this thread though :T

Thanks so much!

Butterfly_Brain

Luton and Hemel Hempstead have a poundland x