Tips on cleaning/fixing up wood furniture?

[kay4]

I bought a couch/chair/2 end tables at goodwill intending them to be for our downstairs family room. Long story short, our hallway at the bottom of the stairs was way too narrow for the couch sooo we now have new upstairs living room furniture LOL. It is all wood with 3 back cushions/3 bottom cushions. I've always wanted a set like this. I am planning on making cushion covers in a color that matches our decor better but my question is how to clean the wood and is is possible to touch up the stain without going through the whole refinishing process? It is in good shape but would be gorgeous if it had a fresh coat of stain on it. Reading 'how-tos' on refinishing start to finish I just do not have the time or mental energy to deal with all that. Or, if it isn't possible to restain it in the same color without all that, any ideas on how to freshen it up otherwise? Thank you in advance!

[marimara]

Well I've done a lot of wood touching up and painting though I'm sure I've never done it the ways it's supposed to be done. Wood is pretty forgiving.

For Cleaning and shining: Just clean with wet rag first to dust and clean. Murphy's oil works really well.
For chips or scratches: at Lowes or Home Depot they sell these pens for wood touch up in all different shades of wood. Look for one that most closely matches. Do this before the Murphy's oil.

If you want to restain it, unfortunately you'll have to sand off the sealing coat that's on it.

You can touch up any scratches or gouges with the retouching pens then put a fresh coat of polyurethane over it to make it look shiny and new. But man, does that stuff stink. Do it outside for sure. And allow days to air out.

Personally if the wood is in decent condition, I just touch up and shine up with Murphy;s oil and leave the wood to have it's original character. Good luck with your project!

[kay4]

I must have missed the email notification for this thread. Just now seeing this reply! Thanks so much!!!