Reviving History in the Cold: Restoring a 140-Year-Old Wash Stand & Door Cleanup at Old Byrd Farm!

[@THEOLDBYRDFARMVLOG]

This oiled up so much better than I thought it would! And it looks even better several days later! Channel and Farm Tip Jar: www.paypal.com/paypalme/rwrightphotography Old Byrd Farm eBay: www.ebay.com/usr/oldbyrdfarm My other channel: youtube.com/@AdventuresIntoHistory Merch: adventuresintohistory.myspreadshop.com/all Prints from the Old Byrd Farm: starlingmallard.smugmug.com/Walter-Mallard-Photography/TheByrdFarm/ Join The Official Fan Group: facebook.com/groups/561758371276581/?ref=share_group_link MAIL: Sidestep Adventures PO Box 206 Waverly Hall, Georgia 31831

[@SondraD7676]

It's beautiful. What you used seems to be doing the job.

[@lindao2094]

Hi Robert, can I ask what ratio you used for the vinegar and water? Thanks!

[@dragon24star]

Ever thought about resilvering the mirror/s

[@tacocin]

That wasn't a restoration! It was more like a resurrection! Amazing job Robert!!!👍👍👍

[@dixie3086]

Doing my happy dance!!! Just because it's such a long process of doing the old house doesn't mean things have to stay dirty. Every time you clean something it makes me so happy. And I'm sure the furniture is happy to. It's being loved and taken care of again after years of neglect. Great job Robert! Looks like it makes you happy to!

[@cynthiacarter514]

I have thought the same way.

[@maryallen6334]

Yes. Every time he stands there talking about something old I keep wishing he would look at the doors and at least take care of the beautiful old stuff that's still in good condition. Finally he has seen them!!! and now the place won't seem quite so depressing. I hate dirty.

[@Binnacle33]

Robert, the rough texture is the old shellac finish. If you take some denatured alcohol and fine steel wool to it , the shellac will reconstitute and will look as good as new. Tip: rub in the direction of the wood grain. You did a fine job of cleaning up. It looks very smart. 😊

[@marthavojtko6268]

Very impressive cleaning outcome for that old piece and HOORAY you cleaned at least ONE of those filthy doors!!😃👍What a difference! Both are looking great!😊

[@tyberious8]

This is so obviously a labor of love for you. You’re doing a great job bringing life and dignity back to the old place.

[@robertburns3014]

Man, I couldn't believe the difference a little vinegar-water mixture and orange oil will do for that "ancient" wood! It cleaned up so nicely. Little by little, the farmhouse is getting back to what it should look like. Great work, Robert!

[@carmabirch8451]

HALLELUJAH! I have been dying for you to take a swipe with rag at that door! I can die happy now. LOL

[@sheilam4964]

"Little by little." "One step at a time." Thx for doing this, filming it and sharing it with us. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@sheilaholmes3793]

The difference was amazing! How satisfying that must have been. The furniture is gradually coming to life. We'll done.

[@karenwright8556]

Cleaner is always better. There was this saying, It's just dirt,and dirt don't hurt. I never went along with that. The mantle ,the washstand,the door,all improved✨✨👍Old Byrd farm dining room on the way back.💕Our weather is a bit improved today,we had a little sun yesterday and I got out for a while. It's cloudy and 47 degrees. Did you see the ice out west? The poor truckers were wrecking,so distressing.🙏Prayers for everyone dealing with that. Love from KY.

[@leahmollytheblindcatnordee3586]

The washstand is looking super and the door is so much better. Do have to admit, I was itching to get at that door, but knew you would get to it when you could. You are doing so much work on the place and it is becoming more like the warm, inviting space it will be. Thanks.

[@Binnacle33]

I am right beside you regarding those doors. If I had a way to sneak in there , those doors and architrave would be clean, but I thought that would be creepy. Lol

[@terrioestreich4007]

I like how the wash stand looks rough, it shows the life it lived! It's beautiful

[@brendahogue5487]

Love your videos and enjoy watching them. May the lord bless and protect you Robert. Working in the Byrd house restoring the old furniture

[@dolothegreat]

the metaphoric idiom pairs nook, which has meant “an out-of-the-way corner” since the mid-1300s, with cranny, which has meant “a crack or crevice” since about 1440. Thank you Google

[@deborahbender5333]

Robert,just imagine what stories 150 year old piece of furniture could tell .😁 Its a beautiful piece.❤

[@vickieshrader2550]

Another gem in the crown that is The Old Byrd Farm😀

[@eleanorlaurent2303]

You're right, the mantelpiece is getting really pretty! And I gasped audibly when I saw the actual color of the door 😂

[@joyfisher2128]

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood! 🎶 All that's missing is your cardigan. The way the washstand and the door transformed was almost like make believe. Things in that house just seem to clean up real nice. Fun to watch!

[@CatherineKeehn-l6k]

Church's have used old fashioned Murphy oil soap. It cleans and oils at same time. Forgot about my Mom using that on oak Church pews when you asked in other video.

[@sueperea3166]

Robert your an old soul in a young man's body.❤

[@gardeniarosejasmine]

These before and after clean up videos are my favorites. The washstand looks amazing!

[@michaeljaworski6522]

I use Murphy's Wood Soap and a soft bristle round brush for the carvings. It does a good job of moistening the wood. Lemon Oil is also good for routine cleaning. It comes in yellow for lighter wood and brown for darker. I enjoy following you from Arizona.

[@angelicamelendez6179]

Nothing more sexy than a man cleaning antiques! 👍🏼😁 Your doing a phenomenal job on the farm and your bringing life back to these lovely pieces of furniture.

[@barbararoberto1258]

You did a great job love to see the door without paint keep up the good work Robert

[@mr.bearandpokekid24]

Nooks and crannies come from English muffins. English Muffins didn't contain baking soda, which meant the air pockets didn't rise to the top of the dough but instead stayed in the middle. This change is what leads to both halves of a split English muffin having numerous nooks and crannies into which butter, jam, or eggs can be spread

[@bethgiesey9405]

That turned out beautiful!! You must have magic in your hands, Robert

[@susanthompson2278]

Job like this takes time and patience the door will be your biggest challenge to clean 😮❤❤❤

[@anncrow3340]

Thanks for doing the back, that wood that doesn't show needs some moisture too! 😊

[@pattucker612]

Another great video. Thank you. Can’t believe how nice those mirrors look after all these years.

[@brandyduncan392]

I've always dreamed of having an old family home with family heirlooms, I'm very envious of you! I would love to see The Old Byrd Farm in person someday. ☺️

[@larrysmith6499]

The wash stand looks amazing. The door cleaned up nicely. You are making everything come back to life.

[@MrJeep75]

Looks awesome, looking forward to more projects on the old house

[@kathycharles1446]

That orange glow is exactly what I use on my furniture. Have been for years. I love it.

[@101egals]

Robert, you can have the mirror resilvered to fix those spots that are wearing off.

[@jameswasher4041]

I use orange glow on the floors, built in cabinets and hardwood doorways in my 1925 home. It's the best for dry old wood.

[@JR-wc8zo]

Great job Robert! Super satisfying to watch that door being cleaned! The wash stand cleaned up good also! Keep up the good work.

[@susanthompson2278]

Robert that's a awesome look piece of furniture you are doing a awesome job getting it cleaned ❤😅😊😮

[@insidemotheruniverses9-cha886]

I had a part time job briefly for an antique auctioneer cleaning antique furniture and it was probably one of my favorite jobs I’ve ever had. Always wanted to find a full time career doing something like what you got going on

[@marypettitt9150]

It looks wonderful, Robert. You'll also need a pitcher and basin, once the marble top is found. The room is looking just fine. Nice work!

[@brendawitherspoon5598]

Beautiful. I ❤ old furniture. I have my grandmother Hall Tree and old dresser with round mirror.

[@elissalee3057]

I love the wash stand. You are doing an amazing job of your house. I love old places.😊

[@carolgilkison-qv6sv]

Hi, Robert, Your wash stand will be lovely after your through clean. The stand is done in the style of Charles Locke Eastlake. The little spoon carvings are nearly always found in both English and American Eastlake style furniture. I have watched with great interest all your videos since you started the restoration process. If I were 35 years younger, I'd willing do a similar project! Lol...

[@katherineyanagihara2909]

Aloha 🌺 Robert! A little bit of love goes a long way! Pretty Pretty!🥰🌺

[@peachstateexplorer8004]

Very amazing clean up!!!!! The wash stand turned out great, and that door did have a lot of junk and grime on it🫣🫣 But it cleaned up awesomely 👊👊👊👊

[@Carolbearce]

The furniture looks awesome cleaned up. The once white door looks awesome too.

[@deborahmarion9038]

Love that you are using vinegar water to clean. It’s nontoxic and it can be used to clean so many things. Vinegar is awesome stuff! I use 40% to kill weeds. 😊

[@giaatta9303]

I admire you love and passion for the old Byrd farm. Hutch turned out amazing

[@Mari-B]

What a great change! I just love old furniture!

[@constance9789]

That stuff on the side is the old finish as it ages, proof of original finish of antique furniture, take that off and lose the money offered for antiques. Fun to watch spent years doing this myself. All that’s gone now, really sad for me. Thanks for sharing.

[@addiekeen7219]

Love watching your videos. Little at a time works Wonders. Door and stand looks great. 👍❤️🙏🏻

[@DD-th2bd]

Beautiful old furniture, my mother and father use to work at a furniture factory that would distress and mark furniture on purpose to make it look old. You're doing a wonderful job on the Old Byrd Farm and I really enjoy following on your journey

[@rebekahbrenner]

That washstand is so beautiful. I love the patina on the mirror. I can just picture a pitcher and washbowl on the top.

[@anneberrington2294]

The damage on the mirror is called foxing i think, pls don't replace as in most pieces this bit of history is its value - cant wait to see the house start to get rebuilt with all the love your'e showing it it's gonna shine.

[@MarshaShelley-t3n]

Wow! That looks sooo much better! Glad it cleaned up that much!! Good job! You will have that place looking so much better in no time really! I'm sure the furniture and the house ( and spirits!) Thankyou!!

[@annafye129]

Great job Robert.I don't how old the wash stand is but I have known of pictures,money,or important papers being found behind mirrors and pictures in frames.I'm sure you are aware of this.May not think of such things being in the old Byrd Farm House but you never know how many places the furniture has been.Just a thought of you had some old rags that are cotton they would make excellent cleaning rags for the furniture especially with the oil.You can get excess oil in small places and designs .I think a brush would be to harsh.

[@deborahmarion9038]

Love that you are using vinegar water to clean. It’s nontoxic and it can be used to clean so many things. Vinegar is awesome stuff! I use 40% to kill weeds. And, the wash stand looks great Robert!

[@jayniestanley4730]

I luv that beautiful stand. It's gorgeous 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@mercedithcompala8148]

It looks absolutely gorgeous finish...the farm will be a show place ❤❤very exciting to watch 👍

[@alanatolstad4824]

I loved that "years of whatever"!---I'll try that vinegar water on my front door. Even tho the rain comes blows in from that direction, it never quite reaches the door, meaning, I've gotta clean it!---That wash stands sparkles!

[@lianneh.medaugh9768]

"Orange Glow is the bomb!! Been using it for years.....even makes the house smell nice.....

[@rikspector]

Robert, TLC and Elbow grease work miracles. Cheers, Rik Spector

[@sandyrector3853]

I bet that wash stand had a marble top at one time...love the way the mantle turned out...great work...

[@jacquelinenoble6640]

Its good to see the door looking a little healthier. 😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@nadineveitch5837]

They really do come up well with those cleaning products. Nice to see the old furniture brought back to life.

[@pamelasinclair-karney8856]

Absolutely beautiful awesome job, thank you for sharing , the old birde farm coming along just fine.

[@suzique5827]

Looks awesome Robert. Great job ❤

[@tomgates3390]

you get that cleaned up and even with the defects, that is a valuable piece...

[@donnal.oglesby4806]

Robert, you did a really fine job of cleaning that old wash basin stand up, looks really nice . Great job, and thank you for the video

[@barbaraharshman9460]

Everything starting to come together and so beautiful even the door looks better 😊😊😊

[@deniseoftedahl8937]

Looks fabulous!!!! That orange-glo is the stuff I use and I'm always impressed with how well it works. I could hear the door breathing a sigh of relief!!!

[@BrianPhillips-le3gl]

I like that pivoting mirror feature!

[@lezleyspikes7670]

Beautiful job. Great Job wiping out wisteria too Robert

[@shellydehart8217]

Washstand looks awesome. You can’t see it but it grinning from one corner to the other, thanking you for Orange oil. She was really dry to the core. The mirror looks good too. I’m glad you felt energetic to get to the door looks a lot better. Yes, I agree the doors that are painted would look super if stripped n back it’s natural wood. ♥️♥️😊👍👍👏👏🌟🐶🐶

[@sheafan1971]

Stay Warm in GA. Enjoy every moment on the farm

[@kimsellers1470]

Everything is looking wonderful. I love antique furniture. I use a soft bristle toothbrush to get in those "nooks and crannies". I have used GoJo hand cleaner (non-abrasive) to get a deep clean on furniture. It gets the grime off and adds oils back into the wood. After I have it all cleaned, I will come back over it with Old English Scratch Cover, to blend in the blemishes. Then you can keep it moisturized with your orange oil. You did a wonderful job cleaning this and the mantle.

[@Bonnie-hb6je]

Yes I’m very impressed….you are doing a great job having fun with these pieces. Next to the organ.?👏👏👏👏🥰

[@decembergem4598]

That wash stand is beautiful 😍

[@brins8019]

Murphy oil soap then furniture polish

[@olafvidar9315]

So glad you cleaned the door. It was really bothering me..... Good job Robert.

[@tonyahaley6900]

I love seeing the Momma/Poppa sheet music!!!

[@leapingkitties]

Getting it cleaned up and oiled makes it look amazing. I do love the look of that wood. Thanks for sharing.

[@marcbrunson6986]

That wash table looks great after the oil.

[@tangie777uk]

Lovely piece of furniture Robert, will look beautiful when its got its marble top and some hardware. I love old furniture and you are certainly bringing it back to life. Lovely

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

Oh, Wisteria. Wisteria destruction for the brave. - Lots of work.- Visible improvements seen and appreciated . Wish you could clean the doors and those beautiful trims. ( I jumped the gun)! Good choice of cleaning and moisturizer for the furniture. I think most of that brown comes from the wood stain on the wood. Yep. Nooks and crannies. Like pins and needles. Nooks and crannies are inaccessible parts or places. Nook : since the 1330's, "an out of the way corner" and cranny, since 1440's, " a crack or crevice". There you are, Robert. Fits in metaphorically with you and the furniture. ❤❤❤😊

[@sherrie545]

That’s a beautiful piece just needs some TLC. Looks so much better. A scrap piece of marble that would fit the top would be beautiful!

[@paulhoffman6371]

You'll get old dirt off the mantel and washstand with each cleaning. The marble top will set it off nicely if Dan locates it. An alternative might be a faux marble laminate top from your local big box hardware store. Next will be the old organ?

[@junejimerson5041]

I think you are a remarkable man .all the work your doing is awesome . you just don't see this anymore , thank you stay safe and happy

[@tomgates3390]

my grandparents had one. it had a marble top. the mirror was gone but it was in my mom and dads house till we sold it at action... our was also taken care of and in good shape. this is what they used before indoor plumbing. a wash bowl (ewer) and a Pitcher would sit a top. My grandparents even had a drain pipe to pour the water down after you had washed and brushed your teeth. that is a really great piece and gald you came along to save it....

[@nadinecartwright1979]

These quick clean and shine videos are so satisfying. If you want to keep cleaning walls and doors, Zep makes a good foaming wall cleaner. I also like their foaming window cleaner.

[@Lorriann63]

That looks great, Robert! You are breathing life in to it again. Such an awesome job. Can't wait to see what's next.

[@pamscreative]

I am so proud of you for your accomplishments today Robert!!! Cheering you on from Florida. 👋👍😃

[@scottbennier1335]

Good effort Bloke…… do your research and source the appropriate fittings for the washstand and it’ll “morph” into a class piece. The door came up a treat. Cheers from Oz 🇦🇺

[@artillerest43rdva7]

so often the old wood has some TLC it bounces back , and looks so much better! early mirrors were murcury glass, later was silver plating, sealed for protection with paint. areas where the paint is damaged it will oxidize breaking down the prime reflection.

[@nancylitton390]

Very nice!!! The dresser looks SO much better, and so dose the door. One question though....Do you hire out?😂

[@chicochi3]

That orange oil company needs you to do ads for them.

[@khanysafan1705]

Robert, could you please repeat again the history of the house and why it’s important to you? I believe it involved your grandparents?

[@carolheighes9988]

It is great to see things being restored.

[@AnnieDarcie]

Wait, I take it back. You’re cleaning the door. Thank you!

[@deannaoverstreet4146]

Always enjoy your videos! Thanks!

[@JanTrewhitt]

Nice job. Robert! I thought it probably had a marble top at one time. It will be great when you find one.