If you grew up in the 1960s or ’70s, wood paneling, together with orange shag carpet and avocado-green appliances were the decorating rage of the afternoon. Paneling from this period consisted of durable fiberboard sheets covered hardwood veneer, generally in dark brown. But today, paneling is significantly lighter in its own tones, ranging from faux cherry wood to aged-picket-fence white. Paneling requires minimal attention to keep it looking good, making it a favorite in family homes full of pets and kids. You are able to keep paneling looking its best by utilizing household products such as vinegar and mineral oil rather than costly over-the-counter products that may contain chemicals you do not want in your home.
Everyday Cleaning
Dust the paneling by wiping it with a dry microfiber dusting cloth. If dusting does not remove all the dirt, then use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove the loose dirt and dust. Be sure to clean in the crevices on the surface of the paneling fully, where dirt and dust get trapped.
Insert 1/2 cup of mineral oil and 1/4 cup of vinegar into your spray bottle.
Fill a measuring cup with warm water and add it into the mix in the spray bottle. Shake the bottle to mix the solution.
Spray the mix on the wall and rub it in with a clean rag, scrubbing any particularly dirty spots in a circular motion.
Buff the wall with another clean, dry cloth in a circular motion to pull out the shine of the paneling.
Deep Cleaning and Polishing
Pour 1/2 cup of apple-cider vinegar and one cup of warm water into a spray bottle to make an extra-strength cleaning alternative.
Saturate a microfiber fabric using the spray on to clean stubborn grease or dirty spots on the paneling. Wash your paneling in tiny sections using this method.
Wipe paneling dry with microfiber fabric when finished cleaning.
Apply mineral oil into some other clean, dry cloth. Buff the paneling in tiny circles with the fabric to make it shine.