Alternate punny post title: Some Midcentury Microdermabrasion. Ok, so yesterday John explained how we hunted down an old thrift store table and repaired its rickety legs. And since we’re nothing if not honest when it comes to keeping things real-time in this little DIY diary of ours (if something takes two days, it earns two posts – and if a kitchen takes four months, it earns about a hundred) here’s the second chapter for our little dresser-turned-media-cabinet. The title of which could be: How I Showed A Dingy Old Wood Dresser Some Sweet Sweet Love. Or Dr $herdog And Her Scrub-tastic Tricks. You know, depending on your mood.
So let’s dive right into how I brought this 50+ year old piece back from scratched and bedraggled territory. Here are my tools. It’s a pretty simple equation.
Yup, you read that right. Ladies and gentlemen, my first weapon of choice was a Magic Eraser. I’ve found that for old beat up pieces like this, it’s great for scrubbing off years of grime. It essentially does the same thing as very fine steel wool or sandpaper does (but seems to be more gentle on the hands). The cool thing is that sometimes what you think are paint streaks and scratches actually can be buffed off with the eraser so the wood is back to looking downright sexy again. For example, see this detail shot that I took of the bottom right side of the cabinet before I did any scrubbing?
Here it is after about five minutes of buffing that area with a damp Magic Eraser:
I did the same buffing thing all over the top, the sides, and even the legs (tip: you might want to test it on an out of the way spot to make sure it doesn’t mess with your piece’s finish, but if it’s dry old wood like this guy it should work just like high grit sandpaper and just buff things down a bit).
Then it was time to clean out the inside of the drawers. Those were musty and dusty, so it was less about buffing them down to their original glory like it was for the exterior, so my approach changed. I just used an old rag moistened with white vinegar to wipe down the insides of each drawer. That removed all the dust, and since vinegar is also great for absorbing/removing musty smells in old wood, it was amazing how that tangy vinegar went on smelling strongly but then dried to have no smell at all (so those formerly musty drawers smelled like nothing at all as well). Huzzah.
Here’s how she looked after about a few hours of working the outside with the Magic Eraser and the inside of each drawer with a vinegar-moistened rag.
It’s a far cry from the muddled old finish that we saw at the thrift store, right? Now you get the post title, right? It’s like I hooked her up with some nice microdermabrasion, right? Dr. $herdog doesn’t mess around.
The next step was letting her sit out in the sunroom with her drawers all open so everything could evaporate and fully dry out (all the vinegar-wiped drawers need to full air out so the bitter smell dissipates). Then about eight hours later we finally (finally!!) brought her into the living room. Nothing like waiting over two years to find the right media cabinet.
We eventually plan to use a drawer or two for the TV components instead of sitting them on the floor (we can either hinge the front of that drawer for easy remote-access to them or use one of those cool RF remotes that work through wood) but this works for now.
And speaking of planning, we also originally planned to paint the top, sides, and bottom of the piece white (while leaving the rest of it in the same wood tone that you see now – sort of like this but wood where the white is and white where the wood is) but now that we’ve scrubbed it down and brought it into the living room we actually like it just the way it is.
We already have a white desk, a white table, and a white ottoman in the room, so the wooden media cabinet balances nicely with the wooden console that we built for behind our sofa along with the wood-framed chalkboard that we made. We even like the original hardware (although you never know if we’ll see something awesome and be completely seduced). Now that I’m sitting here staring at it, I actually think the existing hardware could look great in an oil-rubbed bronze finish since the curtain rods on both sides of this piece (as well as the dark TV on top of it) are that tone. So that’s always a possibility down the line. Either way you know I’ll keep you posted.
I’d also love to use some sort of wood restoring seal/topcoat to coat the cabinet (since it’s pretty dry and not really very glossy at all) – just to bring back even more luster. I hit up Home Depot and grabbed something that I’m dying to try, so I’ll be back with pics and details for ya about that – maybe along with a tutorial for hinging a drawer for those media components or giving an RF remote a try? Might not get around to it for a few weeks with all of our book tour travel coming up, but I can’t wait to get ‘er done.
Oh and as for securing the TV so it’s kid safe, we use this anchor system to keep it in place (here’s a picture of it with our last media cabinet from this post, but it’s the same system, we just unattached it and reattached it higher on the wall to work with the new cabinet). We’ve also had luck using similar systems for tethering desks and dressers and leaning mirrors to keep them from tipping (more on that here).
Now we’re just basking in the glory of a not-too-low TV that actually doesn’t make the whole room feel sofa-heavy (that side of the room always felt more substantial thanks to the teeny old TV table). Ooh yeah, I’m going to stuff those abundant drawers with all of Clara’s games and toys that runneth over. Momma’s excited about that. Oh and as for the old TV cabinet, we just craigslisted it for $30 yesterday! So in the end this new $59 TV cabinet was more like $29 after you put that $30 craigslist payment back in our pockets.
Is anyone else trying to bring an old piece of furniture back to its former glory? Have you ever used a vinegar wipe-down to de-must drawers? Have you tried the Magic Eraser approach on old grungy wood? I’m not sure it would be a good idea on something super shiny (sealed/lacquered) since it might make tiny scratches in the finish, but for old dry wood that looks beat up and battered already, it certainly removed a lot of things that I thought were deeply rooted into the stain (they must have been sitting right on top). Word up to less-beat-up-than-you-thought furniture.
I am so jealous that you found that piece for $59.
Let’s just start and have me admit that I’m in love with Mr. Clean. I use Magic Erasers on everything – tub cleaning has never been so easy.
Love the cabinet, great score ……… the drawer fronts would look great painted …. maybe in a few colours.
Magical transformation, Sherry!
I never would have thought to use the magic eraser on wood..can’t wait to try it. I love it all wood…no paining needed! MIA is perfect just the way she is (except for…)Don’t hesitate about ORBing the hardware……it would look great!!!
Hope your book signing is fun tonight.
no painting needed (oops!)
Looks great! We use vinegar all the time to clean tile grout. Nature’s acid. Beautiful piece too, btw.
This is going to sound completely unrelated (because it is *cough*) but this post got me thinking… do you have any tips for repairing scratched up and punctured leather/synthetic material? My kittens have done a number on my combination leather recliner and I would love to restore it to its original glory instead of having to trash it if I can (though I know sometimes that’s the only answer).
Hmm, we don’t have any firsthand experience. Anyone have tips for Les?
xo
s
Thanks for the tips!
What about spray painting the handles white…or navy…or chartreuse? I love the piece and that could give it a fun pop!
Always another fun possibility!
xo
s
I like the idea of white handles! We painted a dresser aqua blue for our baby girl’s nursery and then spray painted the drawer pulls white – really makes it pop.
Ooh that’s fun!
xo
s
Wow! I’m so impressed, that looks beautiful! I never would think a magic eraser would turn out such results…I may be going around my house later to scrub a few old pieces of furniture! Thanks for always Sharing your tips, even if they are super simple – sometimes those are the best :)
I used vinegar on some very musty-smelling dressers I inherited…worked like a charm! I wiped down the insides of the drawers like you mentioned, but ultimately ended up having to paint them and the outsides because the wood was so thin and splintery (is that a word?); I didn’t want my clothes shredded. Now they are both a deep rich brown with polished nickel hardware.
Love it! Such a great find. Hope to see you guys tonight at Book People if I can get my husband to babysit our 6 month old! My book is there waiting for me! I drive by on my way to work and they have your name on their sign on the building out front–I wanted to take a picture to send you yesterday, but I was driving. ;) Hopefully this weather today won’t get too hairy. Hope you have a safe trip in!
PS: Hope you have a safe and wonderful journey onto your next book tour!
The name says it all, Magic Eraser! MIA looks beautiful, like she had a day at the spa :)
I’m pretty sure I’m going to buy stock in Magic Eraser. We just bought a new house…and I believe I’ve used it on every conceivable surface (foreclosure + 2 years empty = more grime than you’d believe). My husband always asks “what’s in that thing?” As he can’t accept “magic” as an answer, but I’m pretty sure there’s no other explanation.
Mia looks great! Safe travels, and can’t wait to see you guys in ATL in a few weeks!
Your new find looks exactly like the dresser set I scored on CL for $120 both items… I haven’t wanted to refinish it since I loved the wood scratched or not.
Hello Magic Eraser!
Hi Sherry and John! I love your site. I would have been terrified to use a Magic Eraser on wood, but it worked beautifully! While you’re keeping things simple and inexpensive, and since I know low-toxicity is important to you guys, what about a homemade furniture polish? Try olive oil and lemon juice (2:1 ratio of oil: juice) and you’ll have a homemade furniture polish that isn’t neurotoxic, and it will add moisture and shine to your GORGEOUS midcentury piece. A piece that I am currently coveting, btw…
Great tip – Magic Erasers are awesome but I never thought of using it for this. Need to try it.
Side question – I love your couch, it looks so comfy cozy and am trying to persuade my hubby to by something like that. Would you recommend it or is it not as cozy as it looks.
Hope you have safe travels :-D
Oh yes, still very much in love with Karl! No complaints!
xo
s
I sat on Karl last weekend at IKEA and it was rock hard. Rock. Hard. Like sitting on Channing Tatum’s abs. In a bad way. Then I went home and read tons of user reviews about how cozy it is. I don’t know voodoo curse was cast at my IKEA, but I was sad because I really like the look of the couch. Is it worth going back and trying again?
Weird! Maybe it was a different upholstery than ours that feels stiffer? Not sure! Ours definitely isn’t hard and is actually really cozy :)
xo,
s
We bought the same couch and my first thought when I sat on it was “uh, this is a lot harder than I remember it being” — and then proceeded to immediately fall asleep on it, comfy as could be. My husband and I have pondered how it can be so firm and cozy at the same time – but it really is very comfortable!
Hahah! Yes I would call it firm at first (not crazy hard like a rock or anything, but not super cushy) but then when we thought about it we’re most comfortable on something a little firm (our mattress is the same way) since sinking too deep into something can be all weird and droppy (and actually makes us feel sore).
xo
s
Very nice! Never would have thought of using a magic eraser – I knew they’re essentially nano-grade sandpaper (and therefore usually inappropriate for wood), but it hadn’t occurred to me that sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
It looks great in place. I think it ties in the parquet floor, actually. The parquet looked weirdly dated and out of place next to your very up-to-date furniture to me, but add one piece of major furniture that’s also clearly from a previous era (and still dead sexy) and suddenly it makes sense. Great find!
The media console looks so great! Where did you find those toy baskets on either side? Home Goods? In need of some desperately! Thank you :)
Target! We love them!
xo
s
HOLY WOW!! that looks like a totally different wood color. Have never used the “Magic Eraser” but I might have to start! GREAT JOB $herdog
you are a lifesaver! well, maybe a chair saver to be more specific…i’ve been trying to figure out how to clean up some dining room chairs we were given and your magic eraser tip is the answer! thanks :)
I would use vinegar to clean EVERYTHING if my husband didn’t complain about it everytime! It is really good to know it gets rid of that must smell too! Thanks!
Your new TV stand looks great! I love how you use furniture in unique ways I would never think of! Love it!
I have to admit, I’m jealous! This is beautiful and just what I was looking for to go in my den. I found a beautiful mid-century side table for $25 last week and it has the John Stuart Inc tag under it and after looking that up I found out that it’s a pretty popular mid-century brand. Made me happy :)
Oh and I love vinegar as a cleanser. Here’s my vinegar tip…it’s great for cleaning soap scum! I keep a spray bottle of straight vinegar and one of half water, half vinegar. The straight vinegar goes on tubs, let it sit for just a couple of minutes and then just wipe off with a dry cloth. Sometimes it takes a little elbow grease but it works great. The half and half mixture is awesome for countertops, windows, and mirrors. Just spray and wipe with a dry cloth…no streaks and it makes counters and chrome water faucets shine. I love it!
We turned an almost matching dresser into a media stand about 2 months ago. We had to remove the top 3 drawers to fit in the media components (they wouldn’t fit unless we removed the drawer slides as well). We also considered painting/restaining it but the wood is growing on me after living with it for a couple of months. Did not know about the magic eraser. Will deifnitely try that to see if we can get some of the shine back :)
That’s a good idea, next time I’ve got a piece like that to clean up I will try it.
Recently I bought a rough old 1940’s dresser on Craigslist, it was a little banged up but the veneer was perfect and lovely. It was also gloss all over, which I normally don’t go for, but it’s a hot dresser so it came home with me. The best and easiest thing I found to clean up a gloss poly/varnished piece is…Bona. It goes on easy, is gentle, gets dirt and grime off, and best of all doesn’t leave any film or oil. Love that stuff, use it on my floors.
To fix the numerous shallow scratches and chips I used a small rag and a Q-tip with a small jar of Minwax stain. The Q-tip was great for getting into the deep scratches and tight corners, use the clean end to wipe out.
Good decision not to paint the dresser. It looks way better in its natural state and definitely adds balance to the room.
This is a great piece and it fits the room perfectly! I love that you left the natural wood rather than painting it.
Ahhhh, that’s better! I literally sighed when reading this post. It looks fabulous, and oh so chic. Again, I’m amazed. Have fun in Austin!
The console is completely gorgeous and I’m amazed by the work that the Mr. Clean Eraser and vinegar did to it. What a simple fix! Congrats on your new addition!
Thanks for this great tip! Your piece looks amazing! Have a great week.
Leslie
It looks so much better! Have you considered an IR extender? It’s a much easier (and cost effective) way to make your existing remote work with components tucked away inside furniture.
Oh yes we mentioned an RF system (I think they’re similar). Love that idea!
xo
s
That finish really turned out well. I love Magic Erasers too. Have a great time in Austin!
I like it!
I actually have a mid-century dresser at my mom’s house that has been there for over a year now needing some love from me. I WILL get it to my house and refinished!!!
http://wp.me/p1Uhzf-3M
Wahoo! Good luck Teresa!
xo
s
Oh I love the console as-is! I think it does balance out the side of the room with all the wood tones.
Thanks for the tip on cleaning.
That is amazing. Love it and am a little jealous. I never find deals like that. Thanks for sharing.
Looks great. I never thought of using Magic Eraser either! I have a piece that I’m going to try it on =)
Great tip! The dresser/media cabinet looks great.
SOO much better! I love how you teach us to be patient and wait for just the right piece!
Have you thought about removing the drawer front and making an empty box/hole there for the cable box? It would probably break my heart to destroy a drawer, but it might work, and you’d still have eight other drawers!
Oh yes that’s another possibility!
xo
s
Vinegar is magic! I started a fire in my mil’s microwave and no matter how hard I tried to clean it all our nuked food had a smoked flavour. My mom recommended I microwave a small cup of vinegar for a short time and then leave it to steam in the appliance. Worked like a charm! (A short story a little unrelated to furniture revival but I thought it would make you smile :) Safe travels!)
Love it! I’m looking for a media cabinet right now and plan to use a RF thingy for the dvr and bluray. I have used vinegar for drawers and about everything else. My dresser was super musty! Love buying old stuff and restoring it. This post made me decide to swing by habitat today, haven’t been for awhile.
$herdog, you never cease to impress me. I am AMAZED with how good this turned out with just a little elbow grease! I’ll definitely keep this in mind for all those less than stellar pieces I see. Would almost be worth it to carry a magic eraser around in your purse to test out how worn/damaged something is right on the spot!
Looks amazing! I big-fat-heart magic erasers!! Do you plan on keeping it the same wood tone when you go darker with the floors? I’m always apprehensive about mixing wood tones but you guys seem to do it so well…
Oh yes, I think we like this finish so even with darker floors they’d play nicely I think :)
xo
s
I will have to try this on a hand – me -down dresser I received. Also, hope you enjoy Austin, just a bummer it will be raining the entire day. :(
I so excited to see you guys at Book People! It almost never happens, but it’s raining here, so don’t forget the umbrellas. :)
The console looks so much prettier now! In terms of painting, I like the way it looks now (the stain is a beautiful color!) but if you do paint it in the future, I think it would be fun if you did something like this: http://www.designsponge.com/2009/10/before-after-wills-nightstand-wendrens-ladder.html … though maybe with bees instead of an octopus (though that does look cool!).
That’s fun!
xo
s
Looks great! Love Magic Erasers, they are the best cleaning tools – especially with children in the house! Question: Do you plan on putting anything on the wall above the TV? I have a problem with empty wall space…I stare and stare at it and eventually hang something up only to then stare at it again and obsess about it looking too cluttered!
Oh yes I’m holding out for the perfect thing (not too big or square, etc).
xo
s
It looks amazing! I’m glad you didn’t paint it, personally. If you do, I’m sure you’ll make it work, but I think the piece is so lovely as is that I think leaving it alone is going to be the best option.
I’ve used Magic Eraser for little knicks in the wall and whatnot, but the funniest story I know of someone using it is my brother-in-law’s story. He was a bit of a party guy in college and hosted a big goodbye party before his graduation and someone wrote on his fridge in Sharpie (I think it was “Class of 2008” or something, I forget what it said). Thing is, it was a campus-owned apartment, and he had to get it off. So he got the Magic Eraser. Worked like a charm! But I think he stopped speaking to the girl who defaced the fridge. ;)
Mia looks great! Magic erasers never fail to surprise me. And I love using white vinegar! I spritz it on my floors before I mop and it makes them super shiny!
PS. As the wife of an electronics engineer/nerd, I feel obligated to say make sure that your cable box, etc. has a way to breathe to prevent them from overheating. There. I made the hubs proud.
Love you guys for all that you do & share, and esp for bringing life back to such a timeless piece like Mia! I hope to stumble upon one of her siblings (or cousins?) myself in a thrift shop as well someday.
That is such a stellar find and I would have never thought to use a magic eraser on wood! Putting that tip in my back pocket. We found Greta’s big girl vintage bed in the online classifieds, and I gave it a good dusting and restoring and she’s fit for our little princess now.
http://www.chrislovesjulia.com/2012/12/a-vintage-princess-bed.html
SO cute!
xo
s