Have you tried soap and water and a little "elbow-grease"? Equal parts of water and white distilled vinegar would be another safe mixture. If you need more serious attention try the Wood Furniture Cleaner at the link below. I would suggest you avoid things like Murphy's Soap and Liquid Gold, which are famous for destroying finishes.

-Grainlady

Here is a link that might be useful: Wood Furniture Cleaner

Pour some mineral spirits on a rag and wipe.

Depends on what the build up is on. On surfaces like stoves, soap scum on tubs or showers. You can't beat Fantastic, you will see the stuff run off. It's been around for years and it's very good.

This post was edited by EmmaR on Sat, Oct 4, 14 at 18:31

'Pour some mineral spirits on a rag and wipe.'

Worst advice ever!

Mineral spirits will strip the finish. Rubbing alcohol is safe and effective on tar and grease, just pour some on a rag or paper towel.

I've used rubbing alcohol as well; it removes the grease & any build up as well. Gran5, what type of wood & finish are you trying to clean?

Moviegeek, really, a light rubbing with mineral spirits will not strip the finish - I wish it were that easy to remove finish.

I have successfully cleaned lots of wood furniture with mineral spirits. And if you google "clean wood with mineral spirits" you will find lots of other people recommend it as well.

I'm not suggesting that other methods won't work - but this is one of the easiest ways to do it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Martha Stewart, for example