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Some mineral spirit and the right method can help you easily clean even the toughest stains. Mineral spirits are typically used to thin paint, but they can be highly efficient in numerous cleaning tasks. They can be used around your home, garden, and even in your garage; the main aspect is to understand how to use them and on which surfaces. Here are the best 10 ways to use mineral spirits in your home!
1. Wood Furniture
If you have wood furniture that lost its natural appeal, you can use mineral spirits to bring it back to life. However, the surface should be unpainted, but it is generally considered safe with clear coatings, such as shellac, lacquer, and varnish. It is highly recommended to test the effect of the mineral spirits on a small area before cleaning the entire piece of furniture.
Briefly dampen a cloth or a rag with the solution and rub the grime or dullness away using a circular movement. After cleaning, you can use a dry cloth to restore the wood’s shine. You may optionally apply a layer of wax for a smooth finish.
2. Cleaning Equipment
Mineral spirits can clean different tools and equipment around your home. For example, if you’ve recently painted your home, you can use the solvent to clean paintbrushes. If the paint is hard and dry, leave the brush in a small tin filled with mineral spirits, then wash it off once the brush gets soft. You may also use mineral spirits for all types of metallic equipment and tools.
3. Clean Chairs
If you want to add some shine to your chairs, this solvent is exactly what you need. It can be used with both wooden and plastic chairs. Dampen a rag or cloth and carefully clean the entire surface using circular movements. Wooden chairs may also benefit from an additional layer of wax, similar to wooden furniture.
4. Clean the Floor
Floors can acquire plenty of blemishes through the years. Whether there are furniture scratches or other marks and stubborn dirt, rubbing it with mineral spirits can solve the problem efficiently and quickly. Make sure you wash and clean the floor several times if you have kids or pets as the substance is toxic when ingested.
5. Paint Spills
If you spill some paint by mistake, wiping it off while it’s still fresh is the quickest method. Sometimes, however, we have to deal with hardened, dry paint which is quite stubborn.
In the case of oil-based paint, dampen a rag in the solvent and wipe away the paint if it is fresh; in case of hardened paint, firstly apply elbow grease then scrub it away.
You can use these methods for almost any type of hard surface, including wood (with no wax coating), linoleum, tiles, laminate, and others. It’s recommended to apply the solution to a small area first.
6. Refrigerators
Your fridge can be easily cleaned using mineral spirits. It’s best to avoid the inside of the fridge because the substance is toxic; however, it might be suitable with proper cleaning and washing afterward. Not all fridges are the same, so make sure you test it on a small surface first.
7. Sticky Tags Residue
Do you know how challenging it is to clean those sticky tags? If you bought a new glass item, there is a high chance that the tag will leave a sticky residue on the item, attracting dust and dirt. Soak a small part of a rag or paper towel in mineral spirit and wipe the residue. It can be used on glass, glazed clay, or porcelain. After it is clean, wash the item with soapy water.
8. Window Cleaning
Whether you need to clean your windows as usual or you have some stubborn stains, mineral spirits will make everything quicker and more efficient. You can clean paint or oily marks, dust, fingerprints, and many more.
9. Thin Paint
Use mineral spirit to thin any oil-based paint and apply as needed. You can cover up small scratches or imperfections on furniture, or even thin paint to redecorate your home. Typically, you should mix one part of mineral spirit with three parts of paint, or slightly increase the solution if you want a transparent finish.
10. Helpful When Cleaning Doors and Bookshelves
Mineral spirits can also be used for doors, bookshelves, and other bigger pieces of furniture. Wiping them off with mineral spirit will restore their shine. You should always test the solution on a small area before applying it to the whole surface.
