How to Clean Every Type of Dining Table (Without Ruining It)

We’ve Seen Some Tables in Our Day…

Proper furniture cleaning is essential, and knowing how to clean table surfaces correctly is half the battle. From sticky pancake syrup to glitter glue disasters, your dining table sees it all. But not every table is built the same… and what works on one surface can wreck another. So before you grab your spray bottle and go rogue, check out this GoCleanCo-approved guide to cleaning every kind of table, safely and properly. Whether you’ve got rustic wood, sleek glass, or trendy stone, we’ve got your back (and your microfiber).

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A Guide to Table Cleaning by Material

WOOD + LOOK-ALIKES

(Solid wood, unfinished wood, veneer, and laminate)

Finished Wood

• Daily: Wipe with a dry microfiber cloth. 
• Weekly: Wipe with a cloth dampened with warm water + 1 drop of Blue Dawn® Dish Soap (USA | Canada).
• Dry immediately to prevent clouding or streaks.
• Maintenance: Polish with Pledge (USA | Canada) or your favorite wood conditioner as needed. If the table is looking dull or dried out, it’s time to use a polish.
  Pro Tip: Use polishes and conditioners sparingly just to keep up the shine (NOT daily). Always remove the dirt first by wiping, let the wood fully dry, then use the wood polish or conditioner. This is the final step and wow factor to make everything pristine again.
• ❌ Never use: Vinegar, citrus, or abrasive sponges.

Unfinished Wood

• Dust only or lightly spot clean with a wrung-out cloth with warm water + 1 drop of Blue Dawn®.
• Let dry completely. Water is not your friend here.
• Deep stains? You might need to sand it down and start fresh. Applying a finishing oil will help prevent future stains. 

Veneer + Laminate

• Same treatment as finished wood (damp cloth with warm water + Blue Dawn® Dish Soap), just don’t soak it.
• No harsh scrubbing at the seams. Moisture can sneak in and bubble the surface.

GLASS TABLES

• Step 1: Dry microfiber to sweep crumbs.
• Step 2: Wipe down well with a cloth dampened with warm water + Blue Dawn®  to cut the grease. Don’t forget the underside and edges. Smudges love to hide there.
• Step 3: Dry well with paper towel or a polish cloth like these Carbon cloths (USA | Canada).
• Maintenance: Use Windex (USA | Canada) to bring back the shine between cleans.

METAL TABLES

(Stainless steel, aluminum, iron, powder-coated finishes)

• Wipe down with warm soapy water (Blue Dawn® again).
• Rinse and dry to avoid water spots.
• Rust? Scratches? Use Barkeepers Friend (USA | Canada) on a microfiber cloth to gently buff out. Go with the grain of the metal and do not rub too hard as you can damage the finish. 
• Finish with a shine using Weiman® Stainless Steel Cleaner (USA | Canada) or Windex®, if applicable.

STONE + CONCRETE TABLES

(Granite, marble, quartz, slate, soapstone, concrete)

Sealed Stone + Concrete

• Clean with a microfiber cloth + warm water + Blue Dawn®
• Dry completely with a soft towel.
• Avoid: Vinegar, lemon, bleach, or abrasive scrubs.
• Use Weiman Stone & Tile Cleaner (USA | Canada).
• Reseal every 6–12 months with a stone sealer like Black Diamond Stone Sealer (USA | Canada). If you notice the stone is staining easily and more often, it is time to seal it again.
• Set-in stains? Before giving up completely, you can try lifting the stain with bleach or baking soda and a scrub brush before you reseal it.
  Warning: the only reason this is okay is because you are sealing it immediately, and it is damaged already. The more abrasive cleaners can cause damage to the stone when the seal is gone. This is a last-ditch effort to try and lift the stain and seal it again instead of taking it to the dump.

Unsealed Stone + Concrete

• Dust often, spot clean only when needed.
• Stains? Use a poultice product like StoneTech Oil Stain Remover (USA | Canada).
• For soapstone, finish with mineral oil or a specialized soapstone enhancer (USA | Canada). 

SPECIALTY SURFACES

(Resin, epoxy, ceramic, porcelain)

Resin or Epoxy

• Gentle only: damp microfiber cloth + a drop of Blue Dawn®.
• ❌ No alcohol, abrasive pads, or heat. 
• Buff dry with a soft polish cloth. 

Porcelain or Ceramic Tops

• Clean with mild soapy water and dry with microfiber.
  

One Last Thing Before You Wipe…

The right cleaner can make your table sparkle. The wrong one can wreck it. Bookmark this guide. And remember: when in doubt, microfiber and warm water with dish soap are the holy grail. And for the love of all that is holy—don’t skip the sides, legs, and base of your table. Sticky fingerprints and crumbs love those spots too.

To clean the rest of your kitchen, see this article. 

Becky @GoCleanCo