I need to clean nicotine stains from oak furniture.. what should I use to cut the residue?

Di is right orange oil cleaners work well on wood furniture
unless it is antique then check with a dealer

try these solutons:

http://www.handbag.com/forums/showthread.php?t=456027
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=Nicotine+off+Oak+Furniture&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

You might try Murphy's Oil Soap, it's very gentle on fine furniture. I use it on mine, but you might test it in an inconspicuous place to see if it does the job with results you like.

I have used the below and cleaned off cigarette residue from a number of pieces, including:
- Courthouse benches from the 1930's
- Bedroom furniture from a smoker that quit 40 years prior
- Furniture from an older couple that were chain smokers (When I first met the wife, she had three full ashtrays at her desk, and her husband coughed and hacked the whole time I was there and he was on breathing apparatus)
- Antique furniture that the owner had scrubbed 4 times with Murphy's oil soap.
- A TV cabinet that was in a home with a fire. The TV was destroyed and the cabinet was cleaned to like new (not cigarette, but heavy soot)
- Numerous kitchen fire soot deposits and grease buildup.

Another option, one that I don't use, is to use GoJo or DL Blue Label mechanic's hand cleaner (white gel version, not the one with pumice)

Use a Mr. Clean magic eraser sponge--or any generic version of it. Works like a charm. Just lightly dampen.

In the paint section at places like Home Depot there is a chemical called TSP (tri sodium phosphate). You mix this with water and wash the surface with it. I do alot of painting and this stuff works great getting nicotine off of walls and ceilings.

Murphys Oil soap