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FURNITURE

most polishes after application and buffing contributes nothing to damage control. Modern furniture does need cleaning, however. Dust, smoke, and greasy cooking fumes combine to create a dulling film. Fingerprints begin as small smudges and grow to a grimy coating. You can choose among dozens of furniture cleaners at the supermarket. Many, like the familiar Pledge, Behold, and Endust, are intended primarily to help remove dust. Others, such as Kleen 'n Shine and Murphy's Oil Soap, are intended for cleaning wood and other surfaces. Hardware stores carry still other furniture cleaners and polishes, generally oil-based products such as Old English Red Oil and Scott's Liquid Gold. Only a few actually contain wax. Except for old furniture whose original finish may not have sealed the wood very well-or newer furniture that has been used a lot and whose finish may be worn thin-regular dusting with a soft rag slightly dampened with water may be all you need to keep furniture looking new and clean. It's still true, however, that finely finished wood and wood with a modern, well-sealed finish should be treated with respect when it comes to water. A wood furniture cleaner should first be tested on an inconspicuous area before attempting any cleaning or treatment method. Be sure
HOME BREWS

In addition to plain water and dishwashing liquid, Consumers Union found the following home brews did a creditable cleaning job on wood furniture:
Yz teaspoon light olive oil added to y. cup white vinegar. This proved to be as effective as any store product. '/ 4 cup walnut oil plus 4 drops of lemon extract. This was only as effective as the better oil-based products.