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. 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. 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.

We note if it leaves behind film, streaks or unpolished dry spots, and we assess the general uniformity of the application. We apply each furniture polish to a freshly cleaned wood panel and use a gloss meter to measure the percentage of glossiness before and after application. We test to see if it resists smears and protects against water spots. We revisit the panel after 24 hours to see if it maintains its attractive appearance with no hazy film, dry spots or distortion to the shine. 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. 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. Keeping your wood furniture clean, polished, and protected is a great way to enhance its beauty and prolong its life. That’s why investing in furniture polish can be the difference between having a piece of furniture that passes through generations, and one that'll need replacing after a short time. From wipes and liquids to waxes and sprays, there are plenty of options to keep your furniture in amazing shape.This lemon-scented oil is a great option if you want to clean and condition at the same time. You will need a separate application tool, such as a rag or sponge. However, once you have your tool in hand, just put a small amount of the oil on the rag, and wipe it onto your wood surface. It is safe to use on light and dark wood, although you only want to use a small amount to make sure that it works into the grain. Carolyn Forté is the executive director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab and has a B.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences from Queens College, City University of New York and has extensive consumer product and testing experience in a wide array of categories, including cleaning, appliances and textiles. She has worked at GH for over 40 years.

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. The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing consumer products for more than 100 years, including products that keep your furniture and home in tip-top shape. Aerosols have been popular for their ease-of-use, but are losing followers now that people are considering the air quality of their homes. Aerosols propel the product at high speed into the air, emitting the propellant gas at the same time – resulting in a potentially unpleasant mix of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These are known to exacerbate breathing difficulties and should be used with caution around the very young, very old, and household pets.

Top 5 Furniture Polishes

We've tested 33 different furniture polishes in our Lab and evaluated them for how well they clean dusty wood test panels. We also test each for its ease of removing greasy fingerprints, crayon marks and water rings. The traditional lemon scent of Pledge is strong in these cleaning wipes that are portable and easy to use. They can be used on wood, furniture, granite, leather, marble, plastic, stainless steel, and quartz. (However, they may not work as well as cleaners specially formulated for some of these surfaces, especially stone.) Just keep in mind that these are meant for cleaning, not conditioning, and are best for small messes or touch-ups. Using them for deep cleaning isn’t as effective and gets quite expensive.