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.
karen little says
We need to do something similar in our family room and I’ll be looking forward to learning more about the remote idea, too, as I don’t really understand that stuff yet! I’d love to have all those drawers to contain that. Looks great in your room.
Blythe says
Love it!!! Totally worth the 2 year wait!
liz says
Wow. It looks amazing! Nice job. I love the idea of keeping it as is and not painting the top and sides white. I know it is a bit trendy, but if you are itchy to do something else with it, I think it would look snazzy with some paint dipped legs. Gold or yellow or maybe even that bright blue / turquiose like the bright pillows on Karl. Either way, it’s a beautiful piece.
Sam M. says
I’ve used Murphy’s Oil Soap to clean grime off of MCM pieces and had good results, provided there’s a finish underneath (i.e. not worn away).
But for shine, use Howard’s Feed-n-Wax. It’s amazing for wood, I’ve even used it on my hardwood closet floors to great effect. The stuff is magic, and it’s beeswax & orange oil so it smells great, too. (Home Depot usu. carries it, not in the cleaners section but in the stains section in mine – that threw me)
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo
s
Lisa says
Thanks for this post! We are in the process of buying our first home and I’m already eyeing up craigslist and thrift shops for second-hand solid wood furniture. You’ve got some great tips here that I’m sure we’ll use!
kathy from ct says
Looks really good guys – good job. I like the wood in the room. Just a word of caution. I know your little bean likes her kitchen chores – but don’t let her play with those magic sponges. My daughter works in an e.r. and the sponges work great but can be too abrasive in the hands of a little one.
YoungHouseLove says
Yikes, thanks for the tip!
xo
s
Jamie says
Hey guys,
2 things:
1) you can also get an IR kit for pretty cheap, probably cheaper than an RF remote (I think they range from $30-80 depending on the quality). Basically, an IR kit contains an IR receiver that sticks onto the bottom of the TV, a little power box that transmits the signal, and one or two tiny IR emitter that you would stick onto your cable box/dvd players. I have an IR system on my wall mounted TV and can control my dvd player and cable box which are located across the room inside a closet completely hidden (all the cables are run behind the drywall)!
2) I SAW SHERRY’S QUOTE IN HGTV MAGAZINE! I forget what the exact quote was, but something about how your New Year’s resolution was to get local produce. When were you guys gonna spill the beans?!
YoungHouseLove says
Ahhhh, thanks Jamie! So excited about the HGTV thing (that was a surprise!) and as for the IT kit, so smart!
xo
s
Peggy M says
I used tea tree oil diluted with water to get rid of mildew smell in antique chest. It seemed to work. Tea tree oil is supposed to kill mildew–don’t knew if that’s really true, however.
Laura says
We have a similar set up- I would recommend hinging the drawer so it has ventilation. Dvd/blu-ray players get HOT. We have to have ours open to keep the fan from running all.the.time.
VVednesday says
Anchoring your t.v. is so important! I’m not sure how many people actually take the time to do it. When my younger sister (who is now 24) was about 5 or 6, she tried to turn our old television to face a different direction. The t.v. was on a type of swivel (to make it easier to turn, of course!), but this was back when “big screen” meant “big EVERYTHING.” The t.v. had to weigh 50-60 pounds, and she turned it at such an angle that it fell right on top of her! Thankfully her tears were from being scared more than hurt, but it was something I still remember (in fact, it’s become one of those hilarious family stories, “Remember when the T.V. fell on Kim?!) but I will certainly remember for when I have kids myself!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh gosh so glad she’s ok!
xo
s
Annie R says
I love it!! I think it totally balances out the the room and just “fits”! I don’t know that you could have built something that had the same charm and it feels good to find that “lucky” item that is just PERFECT! I love the finish and I LOVE the storage it provides! We have something similar with our kids toys. I think the size and tone of the wood just fit perfectly and I can not believe that price!!
Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms says
Oh it looks great! It really does balence the room. I love that you kept it wood, too. I actually just used a scratch oil from Lowe’s (ahh I can’t remember its name) for our old wooden kitchen cabinets and it is amazing how they came out. It really made that wood shine and gave them some moisture!
Kathleen@Home Wasn't Built In A Day says
I love it! Great find! And it totally adds just the right amount of wood tones to the room! Love it! Yall have great taste.
Kierstin says
I’m beyond envious. In Portland, OR, all the vintage/resale shops know just how much mid-century modern is in demand, and price their items accordingly, or as is often the case, over price their items. Finding a deal is very rare here when it comes to mid mod, and it’s totally my jones. Good job, lovely media console.
denise says
Just wanted to put in a good word for the RF remote. We’ve had one for years now and it works great. Love that thing. We were able to hide most of the components in a nearby closet and control them easily with the RF.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo
s
Dawn R. says
Looks great, “Share-y.” :) I vote for ORBing the hardware. Also, weird about the Magic Eraser. I always thought they worked by sort of melting the paint a little. I’ve noticed that when used on walls, the eggshell finish disappears when viewed in the right light, so I’m surprised that didn’t happen on Mia.
YoungHouseLove says
I think it’s just like high grit sandpaper or steel wool, so only use it on raw wood but nothing stained or lacquered or painted since it might mar the finish :)
xo,
s
susan says
Beautiful piece of furniture. For the past year or so, I’ve been in love with Howard Wax and Feed to bring dried-out wood back to life. Wipe on, wipe off and a nice citrus-y smell. Also used it on an old radio from the 50s that was made out of some type of molded plastic?. The case was faded on top from the sun + water damage from a plant that leaked. Howards gave it luster and repaired the staining and unevenness in color, and it looks great.
Colin says
Try an IR repeater system like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0016PM63W. We have one and love it.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes we mentioned that in the post. Love that option!
xo
s
Liz says
Wow, I am super impressed and in love with your new media center!! For the record, I also own your old one (Target, baby), with a TV about the same size as yours (maybe slightly larger?) and now I MUST have a new one. What’s your secret to finding used furniture? I don’t think I have the patience for it.
Also, the info about how you stopped the wobble will help me with some other tables I am planning to finish!! You guys are soooo helpful!
YoungHouseLove says
The secret might be patience! Haha! We looked for two years!
xo
s
Christine says
Howard’s Restor-A-Finish worked well for us on our kitchen cabinets. There’s a three-step process of cleaning, restaining and shining/buffing. That might be an option when the Magic Eraser isn’t suitable.
Sherry, isn’t the hardware already ORB? Or does it have that brass/old gold tinge to it? You guys found the perfect console! You couldn’t have designed one better! How great that you could always reuse that console in ten different ways down the road, too.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s sort of orangey honey-toned now. Not terrible though!
xo,
s
Molly says
Ugh, now I feel bad for letting go of my very similar MCM chest of drawers. It was just SO HEAVY and I couldn’t face moving it again. Yours looks great!!
Vicki says
Awesome! So funny about the dresser you referenced on Amazon – I have one that looks very, very similar (white drawers with an oak casing) that I’ve had since I was a kid and I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with it! Staining the wood darker is one of the options and I see it looks good! Other options I’ve been considering have been painting or even applying a textured wallpaper to the drawers. Maybe even paint a gradient… ;)
Meg says
I have another bit for the media/tv boxes idea. I have an awesome media console from West Elm that has a power strip built into the drawer so that all the cords are hidden but one. The power strip cord runs through a hold in the back. Its my favorite feature of the whole thing, and you two are totally up for the challenge of getting a bit techie on that dresser to make it more media (wires and power cords) friendly.
YoungHouseLove says
So smart!
xo
s
Taya says
Sherry!! I recently bought a used maple sideboard and a used maple dresser and now I have to try the magic eraser trick to clean them up! I can’t wait to see how it goes! Seriously, you just made my day!
Sarah says
Looks great!
Do you plan on hanging anything on the wall behind the TV? I struggle with this is my own home. The wall looks so barren.. but what do you hang behind a TV?
YoungHouseLove says
I’d love to find something we love and post all about it when we do!
xo
s
Karen F says
I had the same question/issue! I would love to see how you guys handle this!
Rebekka says
Looks amazing! I have started using magic erasers to clean EVERYTHING. I’m addicted. They make really annoying tasks (like cleaning the microwave) really easy and dare I say it… FUN! Hadn’t tried wood yet because I was afraid it would get messed up, but I can’t wait to get home and try it on some of my own thrift purchases!
Kirsten @ Through the Front Door says
Love me some mid-century modern! It looks beautiful in the room! I definitely think keeping it its natural color was the right choice…it helps tie in the floor, and all of the other wood elements you mentioned. So gorgeous!
Jen says
Your TV stand looks great and is a good lesson in patience and persistence! I need to be better about looking for furniture in less likely places.
Melly says
It looks so, so good! While what you do with your own furniture is absolutely none of my business, I personally am very happy that you decided not to paint it.
Can’t wait to try the Magic Eraser on my grandparent’s grungy old desk.
Connie says
I have seriously been falling in love with mid-century furniture lately. It’s so fun and versatile… it works in the natural wood finish, and even when painted funky and fun colors! GREAT find! Well worth the wait. Miss Mia makes a big difference, while at the same time looking like she’s always been there… she’s right at home!
Kate says
It looks so great! Horray for a more proportional cabinet! My husband and I recently modified a dresser to use as a media cabinet. We cut a whole in the back for all of the wires and have been using an RF receiver so the drawers can stay closed. It works like a charm and I highly recommend it! Everything looks so clean! Here’s the one we used because the reviews mentioned that it works particularly well with our cable provider. Something to think about when you’re looking at different models.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JSDHCY/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Kate!
xo
s
Christina @ Homemade Ocean says
Bow down to the Magic Eraser gods…seriously I want to scrub my whole house with those things!!!
Britt says
BEAUTIFUL cabinet. Plus now I have another reason to love the Mr. Clean magic eraser.
Now, onto more pressing matters WHEN DO WE GET TO SEE MORE OF YOUR RAD BANGS?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, tomorrow! After lots of demand we’re getting that post together (I’m cobbling it together on the road for ya!).
xo
s
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
She looks great with your desk chair legs too! I love the warmth of mid-century wood pieces.
Luisa says
Great piece! Nice transformation!
Just want to add some info about Restor-a- Finish. I used to be a big fan until a stain specialist told me that it contains all sorts of nasty toxins …. and that they do not reveal all of the ingredients (their secret recipe) because they are so noxious. I don’t have any data on this but I would say to proceed with caution if using it and do some research.
YoungHouseLove says
Eeks, thanks for the tip!
xo
s
Rachel McCoy says
This project is amazing! I can’t believe you did that with a Magic Eraser. I’ve always been semi-afraid to use those because I thought I heard somewhere that they had chemicals in them or something? Maybe it was just a warning to not let your dog eat them, which should be obvious. Has anyone else heard anything about that or are they generally safe to use?
YoungHouseLove says
Anyone have more info on this? I always thought they have very very fine sharp fibers (like high grit sandpaper) so they slough things off at a very fine level (which is how they clean/whiten).
xo
s
Rachel McCoy says
Ok I looked it up on Snopes (because they know everything!) and it appears they are fine. Fine, as in, fine fibers like you mentioned but also fine as in safe. A similar product by 3M caused some drama a couple of years ago and that’s how the rumor got started. And, you’re not supposed to eat them.
karla says
Yes I have an in home daycare and I received information from our department of health and we were told to keep them away from kids because they can be harsh on skin and can cause chemical burns. just a heads up!
YoungHouseLove says
Eeks thanks for the tip!
xo,
s
Kerry says
I love this post on refreshing vintage wood:
http://www.the-brick-house.com/2010/09/refreshing-vintage-wood/
I’ve used most of these products with success, and would recommend them!
Also, I’m so glad you didn’t paint the dresser- it’s turned out gorgeous as is!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kerry! And I love that post!
xo
s
Kim @ Yellow Brick Home says
I love how Magic Erasers are so… MAGICAL. We use those things on everything around here!
We recently revived the wood from a Craigslist find, then reupholstered it in yellow velvet! We used tips from The Brick House:
http://www.yellowbrickhome.com/2012/11/07/lovely-chair-phase-2-wood-refresh/
I didn’t think to use Magic Eraser though! Must remember that for next time.
YoungHouseLove says
So cool!
xo
s
Rebecca says
What you need is Fromby’s Tung Oil in Low Luster – I swear by this stuff!! – http://www.formbys.com/products/tung_oil/. It gives even the driest of wood the drink it needs.
Also, any thoughts on wall mounting the TV? (sorry if this was mentioned already). I think it would give great balance to the room and even allow some space on your new piece of furniture for some great personal effects, perhaps some animal friends of Sherry?
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tips Rebecca!
xo
s
karla says
I love the idea of mounting the tv!
Diane says
I love it! So beautiful. Three hours of scrubbing well spent!
Tracey says
The “new” TV table looks great. I’m kidda glad you didn’t paint it. It looks so good with the wood tones of the floor.
I know you eventually may change the floors, but the two are very complimentary. Hope your travels are safe and fun.
Olivia says
It looks great – the scrubbing really paid off!
Teri says
I love me some Magic Eraser!!! So jealous of the Thrift store bounty you seem to have in VA. Here in Ohio all they have are clothes!! When you post your trips, I am so envious of the fact that they have furniture on top of furniture. What an awesome score!
Chantalle says
Looks great! In our last home we were able to put the components on the other side of the wall (the tv was on the wall under the stairs with a pantry on the large end). We put an IR repeater on the bottom of the screen and hooked the other side to the front of the cable box. No new remotes, no building anything. And if we out in a DVD we just opened the pantry and put one in (the components were on the shelf). Every once in a while it fell off, but we used it for 3 years and loved it. We had 2- one for cable one for blu ray. The attachments are black and small, so you couldn’t see them against the black tv frame much. Not sure how much they are, but my FIL put them in, so they can’t be that much or he wouldn’t have suggested it :)
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds cool!
xo
s
Val says
ME on furniture–Who knew?
Much easier than refinishing, alright. I spent several weekends refinishing some nightstands, and I am now in love with shellac. It has more of a learning curve than stain/varnish, but it smells amazing and no off-gassing next to my bed. I highly recommend to anyone sensitive to strong odors who has a furniture project.
Laura says
Hello! In the event that you were seeking input: The best post I have seen on refinishing vintage wood was by Morgan at The Brick House. http://www.the-brick-house.com/2010/09/refreshing-vintage-wood/
Daniel at Manhattan Nest did the same thing here: http://manhattan-nest.com/2012/12/19/dresser-restoration/
I like to keep the chemicals to a minimum and kinda enjoy the beeswax application now and then for all my wood furniture. It gives everything a really beautiful patina.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, I love both of those blogs/posts. Style for miles.
xo
s
Joan @ the baloney bug says
I thought for sure that thing would need to be sanded down and repainted. Super impressed/jealous of your find, haha.
Audrey says
Mmmm I love it! If you’re still planning to stain the floors dark, that beauty is gonna pop! Also, I must say: I really love your den. It feels cozy and livable and just right for the space (probably thanks to your daring choice on the giant Karl).
Natalie says
Have you looked at Tung oil finish? I’ve used it for some projects, and it’s very easy to apply. I’m not sure how it would work with a piece of furniture like this one that already has a finish on it, but it might be worth looking into.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip!
xo,
s
Mandy says
I just bought a similar dresser last week off Craigslist for my infant son, it’s in great shape structurally & just a few dings that can be easily fixed. The only part I am not thrilled about is that it has a laminate top, not beautiful wood top I was hoping for but the price was right. Any ideas on transforming the top? Thanks so much!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, maybe prime and paint just the top like we did with Clara’s dresser?
xo
s