cleaning furniture question

[jfkbengals]

(11-23-2017, 01:04 PM)grampahol Wrote: It really depends on what you mean by cleaning it. What is on the surface that needs to be cleaned off of it? If it's just dust and small particles of sediment a rag with a very light coating of boiled linseed oil should do just fine. 
If you do use linseed oil be sure to wipe off any excess because as it dries linseed oil becomes gummy.. Clear Danish oil would be good as well..
I'd try to avoid too much soap and water. Water can and will swell wood sometimes with disastrous results. I'd probably try linseed oil cut with a little bit of mineral spirits and wipe it down with a lint free rag..  Try to avoid water if at all possible. 

Follow that advice.

With the age of the piece, you can't be sure that the wood is sealed.  If it's not, you could have damage from swelling of the fibers.  Even if it is sealed, it could be incompatible with water.  Think of the rings that used to be commonplace on coffee and end tables left by glasses that were not on a coaster.  It was the moisture accumulating on the cold glass that did it.

As has been stated already, whatever you do, test it in an inconspicuous area first...