Soap scum buildup on restaurant tables

[redshores]

I recently took over a 220 seat restaurant which has been newly renovated to include solid wood tables with a dark stain.

The staff had been using hand soap to clean the tables since the renovation which caused a serious build up of soap scum. All of our tables now have a thick haze on them that we can't seem to cut through.

We've tried windex, vinegar, and many other household cleaners but have yet to find a product that can cut through it.

Does anyone know of any products that are safe on wood that will help us to get our tables looking new again?



Thanks in advance for your input,

Concerned Restauranteur

[brilhoservices]

Murphy Oil Soap is good options to remove the stains over wood.

[greatislandservice]

Would you be able to tell me if there is a finish over the dark stain? Usually furniture will have a semi-luster lacquer to protect the surface. Are you looking to get a brilliant shine on your tables or are you looking to remove the "stickiness" of the soap scum? There are a multitude of cleaner that will solve your problem. The thing to remember is your dark stain underneath. if your table are not protected properly you may have a discoloration happening when you start cleaning.

Alan
sites.google.com/site/greatislandservice/

[thequeenofgreen]

First of all, I am surprised that the use of hand soap was allowed for cleaning as it is much more expensive than liquid dish detergent.

I know this is an old post but if it can help others in the future. Go back to basics when dealing with build-up of any kind. A bucket....add hot water....squirt in liquid detergent for hand washing dishes - the amount of a tablesthingy (for many reasons I prefer natural...one being no fumes to hurt your lungs and head) With a cloth (not a scrubbing and preferably cotton), dip it in to your bucket of hot soapy water, wring out (not too much) Place on table top and in a circular motion, starting on one side work up and down until you reach the other side.

You will feel a pulling effect...it is just the soap and water trying to break through, depending on how thick the residue is you might have to repeat a few more times...once you no longer feel the pull and your cloth glides along smooth, you have found your way through the build up

By the way this also works great for the build-up on wood or laminate floors caused by people using products like Murphy's, Bona, Pledge and any other wood floor product promising to shine.