Ideas on how to clean wood?

[jillsy]

Hello! Hello!

Boy, do I miss you guys! It's been a while. Everything here is ok, just haven't carved in a while.

Anyway, I went thrift shopping in my attic yesterday and found a big tin picnic basket I completely had forgotten about. It was Ted's grandmother's. When I opened it, it's filled with old wood blocks, tinkertoys, and spools. SCORE!!! Unfortunately, they've also got a layer or two...(or three in some instances) of soot. I think it's soot anyway. It's been sitting in her attic for years. If it's not soot, it's left-over grime from an oil furnace.

Any ideas on how I can clean these? The kids want to play with them, but they're hands quickly get blackened. I was going to just throw them all in a tub of water, but figured that might not be a good idea.

Oh, by the way, I just started a blog at www.buckscountyfolkart.blogspot.com. At some point, I'd love to post carvings. Right now, I'm just learning how to use it and basically babbling like I usually do. Feel free to stop by!


Thanks!
Jillsy

[Goody]

Lemon Pledge or Scotts' Liquid Gold. On some old antique's I have made a paste out of Arm & Hammer washing soda and scrubbed it in with a soft tooth brush.

Goody

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Nice blog Jillsy ! I use Cinch on just about everything, works great.

Dave

[Dicky]

Dave, what is Cinch? It sounds like a cleanser of some sort but probably a regional product.

[Eddy-Smiles]

Have you tried Murphy's Oil!

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Hi Dicky, I don't think it's regional, but for some reason it's not popular. I have used it on carpet stains, dirty counter top,windows, wood etc. In my opinion it's real good stuff. Here is a link. Amazon.com: Spic & Span 00202 Cinch Cleaner: Kitchen & Dining and

http://www.teebop.com/cgi-bin/item/PB00202

Dave

[Sharon of the Dell]

Originally Posted by Eddy-Smiles

Have you tried Murphy's Oil!

My dad swears by murphys oil soap to clean wood. Tinker toys, love them! My dad used to help us make all kinds of cool stuff out of them like ferris wheels and cranes. Have fun!

[jillsy]

Thanks! I searched through our pantry and we do have Murphy's Oil so I'll try it. If that doesn't work, I'll try the other ideas listed until I get it right.

[Dicky]

Thanks Dave. I'll keep an eye peeled for it up North.