If a pigeon has used your favorite wooden bench as a target, resist the urge to scrape the mess off right away. On most urban benches, the finish is doing the real work—keeping moisture, rot, and stains out of the wood. Your job is to remove the droppings without scratching or stripping that layer.
Start by softening the deposit. If it is dry and crusty, soak a paper towel in warm water, lay it over the droppings, and let it sit for five to ten minutes. This rehydrates the mess so it wipes away without heavy scrubbing. For fresh droppings, you can skip this step.
Put on gloves and use a soft microfiber cloth or a non-abrasive sponge. Wipe gently in one direction, lifting the waste away rather than smearing it across the finish. If a residue remains, mix a few drops of mild dish soap into warm water, dampen the cloth, and work the spot lightly. Avoid bleach, ammonia, vinegar, and abrasive household sprays—they can dull, cloud, or break down wood finishes.
After the spot is clean, go over the area with a cloth dampened in clean water to remove any soap, then dry the bench immediately with a towel. Do not let water pool on the surface, especially around joints or cracks. If the cleaned area looks slightly dull, apply a very thin coat of wood-safe furniture wax or outdoor wood protectant, but test it on a hidden spot first.
For old, baked-on stains, repeat the soaking step rather than scraping harder. If the finish is already flaking or worn through, clean gently and plan to touch up that section with a matching outdoor wood finish once the wood is dry.