Cleaning these Amazing but Super Dirty Antique Folding Theater Seats

Here is the story behind these amazing antique folding theater seats and how I restored them.

You know that feeling when you see an amazing deal on Facebook Marketplace?!

“Is this still available?”

“Yes, it is”

Cue happy dance. That was me with these antique theater seats. I have been patiently waiting for the perfect entryway bench to pop up on Facebook Marketplace for months. I hadn’t really considered anything other than…a bench. But when I saw this listing, I knew it was the one. So, we picked them up! And due to the seller being a good friend of a family member, they knocked down the price from $100 to $40! For nine seats altogether! Basically stole them…

Cleaning

So, we brought them home and I got to cleaning. I totally underestimated how dirty 100-some-year-old chairs would be…but these things did live through the age when everyone smoked and they did it inside. The funny thing is they didn’t start to smell until I started cleaning them. But once I started…oh boy, did they smell.

I started off by spraying Dawn Powerwash on the first seat, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then scrubbed it with my Rubbermaid Reveal. Then I wiped the soap off with hot water and a rag. And then I emptied the water bucket. After every seat. And every backrest. They were that dirty.

Next, I diluted TSP substitute with water in a spray bottle, sprayed it on each seat and let them sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with my Reveal. After that, I wiped them clean again with hot water.

Refinishing

Once dry, I used Howard’s Restor-a-Finish in the Neutral finish. This did not add any color to the wood. It is not a stain. So this is the perfect solution if you want to fix some minor nicks or scratches and don’t want to do any sanding. I applied with a t-shirt rag. I let that sit for about an hour and then applied Howard’s Feed-n-Wax. It works as a sealant and it smells like oranges. I applied this with a rag as well.

Now, they are the perfect addition to our dining room/mudroom combo. I use it everyday to get my toddlers’ shoes on and off.

Any questions about my process? Send me a message on Facebook or Instagram. I’ll be sure to get back to you.

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