Is my wood ruined after over cleaning?

[johnagall]

We recently bought an antique book case that is a beautiful dark wood. Unfortunately we weren't to know that it was invested with moths and xtheir eggs.

We had no other choice by to do some intense cleaning which included scrubbing with well dilute bleach and adding a powder killer to the case. OTT perhaps but the idea of loads of crawlies living in our place and nesting as they did in our carpets totally creeped me out.

The aftermath is that our lovely case has A white misty powdery residue on it which isn't shifting with warm water and a wipe.

My next suggestion was going to be trying to rehydrating the wood with some form of wax. Or perhaps wiping the wood with some form of spirit in case the residue is actually powder that has sunken into the wood.

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[matz]

what did you scrub it with ie the scrubber thing@?! how old is the item? what wood is it? is there a deep shine or more of a matt/ satin finish?

 

[johnagall]

Just the green scrubber side of a sponge. No scratches.

Wood is dark perhaps teak and is maybe 60 years old. I know I've gone overboard with the cleaning etc but just want to try and revive?

Matt finish.

 

[matz]

find an inconspicuous area of the bookcase and get some white spirit. Ideally you need 0000 grade wire wool (the finest), soak it in the white spirit and wipe up and down the grain biting into the white residue as you go. Stright away after doing this, mop up all the white spirit with clean kitchen towel and leave to dry. If the aforementioned white residue still remains you need a plan B!

In place of 0000 wire wool you could use the sponge with scourer thing but its a bit rough and I think the scourer will delaminate from the sponge due to the solvent but at least it will give you a clue as to whether this method is any good in your situation. Again, use on inconspicuous area so if it abrades too much it wont show...

 

[johnagall]

Thanks for the response mate. Would clean white spirit on a rag be worth a try first?

 

[Diyisfun]

Thanks for the response mate. Would clean white spirit on a rag be worth a try first?

try it as you wont do any harm, the chances are it wont do anything either.

 

[gasbanni]

Teak oil or an old favorite 50/50 genuine turpentine and linseed oil.

Shake the bottle vigorously to mix it up.