How to Bleach Wood: DIY Tips and Tricks

An easy, yet effective, DIY way to get bleached wood furniture and get rid of stains, tannins, and lighten wood tones.

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Sometimes the color of wood can just be all wrong or in my case there was tannin on the wood that needed to be removed. So whether you have an old piece of wood furniture or you bought a piece of furniture on Facebook Marketplace that needs refinished wood bleaching can help.

Two common types of wood bleach

There are multiple types of wood bleach. It is important to know the difference between them and how each type of bleach will effect your project differently. Wood bleach is not the same as regular household bleach.

Before choosing the type of bleach you need the first things you need to do is have raw wood. Use a sander to remove old paints, stains, and varnishes so you can see what the wood grain and bare wood looks like. You need to decide if you like the wood tone or want to change the wood tone. In this DIY we will not be changing the wood tone.

Oxalic acid

Oxalic acid is a powder that has to be mixed with hot water. (Used in this post.) It removes stain from wood without removing the natural color of wood. (During this project I found that it doesn’t alter the color of the wood but it does lighten the natural color of the wood.)

Two-part bleach

Two-part bleach changes the color of the wood.

Zinsser wood bleach was the number one recommended product I found but at the time I was doing this project and writing this post the product had been discontinued. From what I found any two-part bleaches have to be ordered offline and aren’t sold in common hardware stores. If you have a darker wood such as walnut and are wanting it to be lighter you will need to use a product like this. It will alter the natural wood color to lighten it.

Materials

• Savogran wood bleach
• Orbital sander
• Sand paper
• 2 Paint brushes
• Glass jar
• Rubber gloves
• Eye protection
• Mask
• Hot water
• Vinegar
• 2 Clean cloths

How to bleach wood furniture

Full disclosure: when doing this project you should follow all manufacturer guidelines to protect yourself.

1. Before you begin even thinking about adding bleach to wood furniture any and all paint, clear coat, or old stain must be removed. If it is stained wood it would be sanded or stripped before beginning. It needs to be as close to natural wood as possible. Do NOT use a finishing/high grit sand paper for this step. Once you use a finishing/high grit sandpaper on wood it doesn’t absorb product very well. Once the wood is sanded clean the wood with hot water or mineral spirits and allow to dry completely.

2. Next wipe off the wood with a clean rag to remove any dust or debris that may be on the wood. Use a damp cloth if needed, just allow the wood to completely dry before moving to the next step. If the wood is not completely dry you will end up with water spots on the wood. They will be left dark because they have already absorbed water so they wont absorb the bleach water solution.

3. Mix the hot water (not boiling) with the bleach powder following the directions on the can. DO NOT mix more than you need for the project you are working on. The entire 12 ounce container makes 4 gallons. If you’re not going to be using all four gallons do not mix that much. Once it is mixed it has to be used or thrown away it cannot be stored for use later once it has been mixed.

4. Use an old paint brush to apply the bleach going with the grain of the wood. Ensure every area is evenly coated with the mixture and let it sit for 10 minutes.

5. Repeat step 4 until your desired look is achieved.

6. After you get your desired look with a clean cloth and hot water wipe off the surface you applied bleach to. You will repeat this step 3 times.

7. Next mix 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water. (A white vinegar and water mixture can also be used as a neutralizer. I did not have baking soda on hand so I chose to neutralize with white vinegar.) Use a clean paint brush to brush the mixture on. Ensure the area is evenly covered. Let completely dry.

8. You are officially done with the bleaching process. You’re now ready to finish your project by painting, staining, or sealing. Whatever you wish. Based on the wood and your specific project you may need to go back with a high grit finishing sandpaper before adding any paint, stain, or varnish.

Bleached wood furniture FAQs

What is the purpose of bleached wood?

Bleaching can remove stains, tannins, and lighten the natural color of wood.

Can I bleach wood furniture with common laundry bleach?

No. Do not try making your own homemade wood bleach. Buy the products that are intended to be used on wood and always follow manufacturer directions. Common household bleach can be used to help remove a stain from wood but it will not lighten wood evenly it will result in uneven bleaching.

How many times can wood be bleached?

You can add as many coats of bleach as you would like to achieve your desired look. After several processes probably 5 or 6 you will no longer see progress. When the wood reaches its lightest natural color it will not lighten further.

Why does the wood get dark when I add the bleach?

It gets dark because you are adding the bleach mixture and the wood is wet. It is soaking up the bleach mixture. This is not the color the wood will be so don’t panic. If you want to see what the color will be after you apply the bleach mixture let it dry for 30 minutes or until it is completely dry. After it is dry assess the wood to see if you need to add another coat of the bleach mixture or not.

How do I get the bleached wood look?

To get the bleached wood look that is on trend right now you may need to add a white wax or white wash to the wood after you are done with the bleaching process. It is important to know that this is not the natural color of wood. Bleaching wood will only get you to a blonde shade of wood but will not give you the whiteish tint that we are currently seeing on trend. After the bleaching process is done you can add a white wash, white wax, or stain to help get the end result you’re looking for.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below.

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