Better to avoid microfiber cloths
The first thing to do when cleaning wooden furniture is to dust it. It is important to only ever use soft feather dusters or cloths: Microfiber cloths often leave wafer-thin scratches on the surface.
Damp wipe - but not too wet, please
If you have wooden worktops or a dining table, it is almost impossible to avoid cleaning the wooden furniture without water. This is not a problem with sealed surfaces: simply use a damp, well-wrung cloth and wipe dry immediately afterwards with a cotton cloth. However, if the dirt is very stubborn, use a splash of neutral detergent from the drugstore. Always make sure to use very little water: The wood swells very quickly if it gets too wet.
Match the care product to the sealant
Solid wood furniture that has been painted with varnish should be treated with a furniture polish once or twice a year - then it will shine like new again. Glazed or natural furniture requires specially formulated care products, either oil or wax. Good quality is important: very cheap products often contain silicone oils or solvents that penetrate deep into the wood and can therefore "gum up" the furniture. It is better to avoid edible oils for polishing: They do not harden and make the wood rancid. Apply care products to the cleaned wood with an absorbent cloth in the direction of the grain according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Correctly remove water stains and scratches
If the water has already penetrated deep into the wood fibers, a few drops of sunflower oil mixed with a little salt will help. Carefully rub this paste into the stain, then wipe clean thoroughly. Remove minor scratches from unvarnished furniture with sandpaper. Always work in the grain structure of the wood and finish with polish.