Revive Your Surfaces with Orange Oil Cleaner for wood: A Comprehensive Guide

Orange oil is a wood cleaner, conditioner and polisher derived from natural oranges that contain limonene. Orange oil cleaner polishes all wooden furniture to a beautiful shine and leaves a pleasant fresh scent of oranges. It also conditions finished and unfinished wood surfaces, giving them a beautiful shine.

Orange Oil Cleaner polishes and prevents drying and fading of all your wood furniture, including kitchen cabinets, tables, chairs, desks, paneling and antiques. It effortlessly removes surface dirt and dust. There is no need to dry out or damage the wood. The oil penetrates dry wood surfaces to replenish lost oils and preserve the natural beauty of the wood.

Orange oil uses the cleaning power of real oranges to break down dirt and wax buildup on your wood furniture. Orange oil protects your wood from drying out and restores the depth of the grain and natural beauty of the wood. It is easy to use and is great for polishing, conditioning and caring for all wood surfaces.

Using orange oil on your wood surfaces is simple. Spray it on and buff it with a soft cloth until it shines beautifully. Orange oil penetrates grease and grime on wood furniture, removing years of accumulated dirt before refinishing a piece. In this article, you’ll learn about cleaning and polishing, the different types of orange oil you can choose, the safety precautions you must follow, and some of the high-quality brands.

Types of Orange Oil Cleaners

Different types of orange oil cleaners available in the market

Natural orange oil

Natural orange oil contains limonene for cleaning wood without damaging its finish. It cleans the wood, but applying it on unsealed wood will also replenish its natural oils. It conditions the surface and polishes the wood too. However, it does not dry to a film. 

Apply it as a finish on the wood, and if you want to clean it, use the boons of nature. Orange oil is one of your options extracted from orange peel. The limonene it contains is harmless and non-toxic. Branded products might contain harmful toxic chemicals that can damage wood and the finish.

Synthetic orange oil cleaners

Synthetic orange oil cleaners are the same as natural ones, but the only difference is that they have linseed oil additives. Orange oil does not change its use and effect on wood since the derived oils are all-natural and contain properties that make them effective as cleaning products. It still has a fresh, citrusy scent to brighten things up.

Comparison of natural and synthetic orange oil cleaners

The difference between natural and synthetic orange oil cleaners is that synthetic cleaner has more additives than natural one. With the natural one, citric acid is the most dominant ingredient. The results are more or less similar, except that the natural oil still possesses a strong citrus scent. 

How to Use Orange Oil Cleaner on Wood

Step-by-step instructions on how to properly use orange oil cleaner on wooden surfaces

1. Start by wiping down your wood furniture with a damp microfiber cloth to remove dust and grime. Do not allow water to sit on the wood. Wipe it down with another dry microfiber cloth. For dusting, run a quick wipe-down with a microfiber cloth.
2. If your wood furniture has any spots with sticky residue, add a drop of dish soap to a microfiber cloth and test a tiny one to make sure the finish does not get removed. Combine a few drops of dish soap with a cup of water and work on the gummy section. Avoid soaking the wood in water. Once the spot is clean, dry the area with another microfiber cloth.
3. Shake the container of your orange oil.
4. Test a small spot with Orange oil beforehand, so it will not remove the finish. 
5. Work in a well-ventilated area. Apply orange oil to a clean cloth and rub down the sticky area. Wipe on a thin, even coat with a clean cloth. Mix orange oil with water 1:! in a hand-held sprayer. Then spritz the mixture on all kinds of surfaces and wipe down.
6. Let sit for 2 minutes.
7. Buff off the excess with a buffing or sanding pad in the wood grain. The higher/finer grit you use, the easier to achieve a high-gloss finish.
8. Depending on your wood furniture, you might need to apply wax to protect it and help keep its shine. Apply a semi-solid wax to the wood furniture. Let the wax paste sit on the wooden surface for a few minutes before buffing it with a clean microfiber cloth. Avoid polish sprays, which can leave a residue. Read the product instructions before applying.

Tips on how to achieve the best results

To achieve the best results when using orange oil cleaner on wood furniture, the following tips can be helpful:

1. Do not clean the furniture until the finish has cured completely. This allows the finish to harden and ensures the cleaner does not cause any damage.
2. Buff excess oil with a sanding pad to remove residue and achieve a smooth, polished finish.
3. Shake the container well before use to ensure the oil is evenly distributed.
4. Use the cleaner undiluted with water for best results. Diluting the cleaner may weaken its cleaning power and affect the results.

Safety Measures When Using Orange Oil Cleaner

Potential hazards of using orange oil cleaner

If inhaled, it may cause asthma-like shortness of breath. Ingestion may cause discomfort if swallowed. Skin contact may cause redness and irritation. Eye contact may cause temporary eye irritation. Any of these symptoms require immediate medical attention and special treatment.

Unlike other citrus oils, it does not contain mineral spirits, making it a 100% natural, eco-safe, non-toxic, and non-combustible degreaser. For flammability, if you put a match in the liquid, it will catch fire, but once it is dry, it is no more flammable. 

It has the potential to cause a skin reaction when applied. If you are concerned about a possible reaction, test a little bit of diluted orange essential oil on the inside of your elbow before using it on larger areas. Using an old or oxidized orange essential oil, which can cause dermal sensitization. This allergic reaction may not be noticeable after one use and can cause severe reactions after you have used it a few times.

Some citrus essential oils are phototoxic, meaning they can cause a painful skin reaction if you use them on your skin and then go out in the sun. The orange essential oil has a low risk of phototoxicity, but you should still exercise caution if you plan on going outside after using it on your skin. Phototoxicity is when the skin or eyes become very sensitive to sunlight or other forms of light. 

Safety precautions to take when using orange oil cleaner on wood

These precautions include:

1. Always test on a small, inconspicuous area of the wood to check compatibility with the wood finish before using it on the entire surface.
2. Use caution when using the cleaner on floors as the surface may become slippery.
3. Keep the product out of reach of pets and children to prevent accidental ingestion or inhalation.
4. Do not apply the oil to your skin, which may cause irritation or allergic reactions.
5. Keep the oil away from your eyes to prevent eye irritation or damage.
6. Store the oil out of reach of children and pets to avoid accidental ingestion or inhalation.

Recommended Orange Oil Cleaners for Wood

List of top orange oil cleaners for wood with short reviews and pros and cons

Cliganic USDA Organic Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Cliganic essential oils are USDA organic certified to ensure ultimate quality and integrity. It is 100% pure, meaning there are no synthetic additives. The multipurpose essential oil is suitable for aromatherapy diffusers and has many other great uses and benefits.

Each batch is being tested for purity by a 3rd Party Independent Lab. It is free from additives. Cliganic aromatherapy oils are proudly non-gmo project verified, certified vegan, and cruelty-free. Due to high concentration, always dilute with a carrier oil before any use other than aromatherapy.

Pros

• Consistent
• Smells good
• High quality 
• Free from additives 
• Organic

Cons

• No dropper

(Amazon.com) 

Howard Products ORS016 Orange Oil Wood Polish

It polishes all wood furniture to a nice shine with a pleasant fresh scent of oranges and conditions finished and unfinished wood surfaces, giving it a natural glow. It polishes and helps prevent the drying and fading of all your wood furniture, including kitchen cabinets, tables, chairs, desks, paneling, and antiques.

The oil easily removes surface dirt and dust without drying out or harming the wood and penetrates dry wood finishes to replenish lost oils and preserve the wood’s natural beauty. Its properties contain citrus oils that leave no wax build-up but a nice shine and a fresh citrus scent. It does not contain silicone oil or linseed oil. It is safe to use on teak and other oiled woods.

Pros

• Fresh scent
• Natural glow
• Anti-drying
• No wax build-up 
• Safe

Cons

• More ideal for shining than cleaning

Milsek Furniture Polish and Cleaner with Orange Oil

Milsek furniture polish features a fresh orange scent. It cleans wood but polishes and protects your wood in one easy step. That makes it budget-friendly and user-friendly as well. It is safe for daily use since it leaves no harmful build-up.

Use it on all wood products such; as cabinets, hardwood floors, paneling, and fine furniture. This multi-purpose cleaner works on wicker and rattan furniture, car dashboards, and shower doors.

Pros

• Smells fresh
• Ease of use
• Safe
• Multi-purpose 
• Value for money

Cons

• It has to dry

Comparison of the different orange oil cleaners recommended

In comparing the above cleaners, Howard takes the trophy since it works on all wood surfaces, including antiques, furniture, and kitchen cabinets, without drying the wood finish like other wood cleaners. It does not contain silicone or linseed oil. Cliganic does not come with a dropper making it a bit difficult to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can orange oil cleaner be used on painted wood?

Yes, it can be used on painted surfaces as long as it is a thin film and not sprayed on and left for a long time. Orange oil cleaner is a gentle and natural cleaner, but leaving it on painted surfaces for long can damage or peel the paint. Therefore, it is recommended that you apply the cleaner with a cloth and wipe it off immediately to avoid any adverse effects.

Is orange oil cleaner safe for use on antique wood?

Yes, orange oil can be used on all wood surfaces, including antiques. It is a gentle and natural cleaner that can effectively clean and restore the natural beauty of antique wood without harming or damaging the surface. However, it is always recommended that you first test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire surface to ensure that it will not have any negative effects.

Can orange oil cleaner be used on wood floors?

It works on all wood surfaces, but be careful about slipping. However, be careful not to slip because the cleaner can slippery the floor. Therefore, it is recommended to use only a minimal amount of the cleaner and mop the floor thoroughly after cleaning to avoid accidents.

How often can I use orange oil cleaner on wood?

Use orange oil cleaner once a month or as often as you dust or clean your furniture. It is a safe and effective way to clean and nourish wood surfaces without causing any damage.

Can orange oil cleaner be used on varnished wood?

You can use orange oil cleaner on varnished wood and perform the same. 

Conclusion

In summary, orange oil cleaner has many benefits and uses for wood. It is used not only for cleaning but also for polishing and conditioning wood surfaces. It protects and preserves the wood from dust, dirt, and other damages. Among the cleaners available in the market, Howard Stands performs better. It is stronger and safer than the others. Take your time to learn how to use the orange oil cleaner. Choose a cleaner with a spray bottle to make it easier to use.