old cherry fold out desk

[Roger Morris]

I recently aquired a fold out desk that belonged to my grandmother. The inside appears to be cherry, while the outside is almost a chocolate brown. However, a light scratch with a thunb nail appears to remove the wax, I'm guessing, and the cherry finish is visible. Would washing with TSP be a good idea, or can someone give me a better suggestion? Sanding would be a royal pain as there is lots of intricate carving. Thanks!
Roger

[Richard M. Wolfe]

What do you know of the history of the piece - age, provenance, etc? Use a mild cleaner to take the crud off but otherwise when you take it to the Antiques Roadshow and get told if you hadn't cleaned it you could add a couple zeros to the value, well...... I can't give you a good cleaner offhand (TSP may work fine) but whatever you try test it in an inconspicuous area first.

[Roger Morris]

I asked me dad if he knew anything about the age of it and he said he would guess that it was from the 1930's. I'm not sure what it's covered with, whether it is wax or maybe the old varnish or something else. It really looks like it is supposed to be brown at first look, but when you open it, there is obviously a cherry finish of some sort. I may try the TSP tonight and see what it does. Thanks!
Roger