Help Please Cleaning a headboard

cotsvale

Hello

I have been given a lovely Pine headboard. The trouble is that it has been stored under a bed for 2 years and is really grimey. I have tried white vinegar, also warm water..but neither works. In some places the wood is black, I really need to know how to clean deep into the grain of the wood without causing damage.

Many Thanks

Melissa177

Is it varnished pine, plain pine or waxed pine?

cotsvale

I think it's lightly varnished....

Psykicpup

wash in warm soapy water then if still marked you may need to sand it back then revarnish....if its waxed the wax will be stripped by the soap so try a hidden bit 1stm, then again my waxed bannister was black in places so I washed it - looked awful at first but a week or two of rewaxing every other day & it was wonderfull again...

seashore321

Where it is black is damp that has got under the varnish and then oxidised. I agree that really you need to lighly sand it back with low grade sandpaper or wire wool. Wherre it is black (if it stays black when you rub it down) use a brazil nut or white vinegar and it should remove the stain. The just use a feeding wax until the colour returns (or teak oil or linseed oil cheaper but messier). I wouldn't revarnish as the same thing will probably happen again.

Plus the fact wax is easier to keep polishing, varnish just tends to go dull.