White washing is simply mixing white paint and water to lighten wood. The more paint you add to your mixture, the less opaque the finished look will be. So, if you're looking to just lighten your wood without covering the wood grain, then use mostly water with a few drops of paint.
If the wood is too dark, soak a clean cloth in turpentine or mineral spirits and rub the wood firmly and evenly along the grain. This will lighten the stain but not remove it.
The only effective way to lighten the color of wood after it has been stripped of all surface coatings is to use a wood bleach. Sanding does help to lighten wood in many cases, but this only applies to surface soil or grime, and even then only if the discoloration has not penetrated very deeply.
Lay a brightly patterned runner across a wood dresser or table. Opt for bold bedding or wall art in a bedroom outfitted with wood furniture. Table lamps, vases, and planters in a rainbow of colors can also help cheer up dark wood furniture.
White washing is simply mixing white paint and water to lighten wood. The more paint you add to your mixture, the less opaque the finished look will be. So, if you're looking to just lighten your wood without covering the wood grain, then use mostly water with a few drops of paint.
One of the most effective ways to lighten your furniture surfaces with a dark wood stain is by bleaching with a chemical stripper. Since chemicals will be used in this process, make sure to work in a well-ventilated area so you will not breathe in harmful fumes and prevent stains and accidents.
Lighten Stained Wood : Household Bleach
You will not believe the impact a little bit of household bleach will have on wood. I've never tried this before (probably because I've not found a piece so stubborn) but I'm in awe. I was blown away at how effective this EASY technique was at getting a natural wood finish.
One of the simplest ways to age wood quickly is to apply a paste of baking soda and water, let it dry in the sun, and scrub and wipe it away. Aging wood with baking soda leaches the dark tannins away, resulting in a partially bleached, weatherworn look, similar to a barn or driftwood.
Good ol' clorox can can remove the stain color of wood but cannot effectively change the color of darker woods. Regular household bleach can work well with already lighter colored wood.
My first tip for working with dark wood furniture is to use tones (paint, bedding, pillows, artwork, curtains, etc.) that compliment the wood tone – usually warm, neutral colors. In this design, I painted the walls BM Revere Pewter – a warm gray.
Using a natural solution like vinegar can also lighten dark stained wood. If you want to know how to make dark stained wood lighter with this solution, you must first soak the entire surface with vinegar. Then, let it sit for a day or 24 hours, to allow the solution to work its magic.
PolyShades stain and polyurethane also allows you to easily change the color of your currently stained or varnished wood without stripping. Over old varnish you can change the color without removing the old finish or hiding the grain.
Depending on the species of hardwood flooring it will fade, bleach, or darken when exposed to the sun. Wood is photosensitive material so if there is overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays then there will be an effect on the color of the floors. It is said that about 40% of all interior fading happens from UV rays.
For pieces where you have a dark finish and want to go lighter, you will need to remove the existing finish first. Then, determine what undertone your wood has and counteract it with an appropriate stain color. For pieces that are a light finish, and you want to go darker, you can simply apply a darker stain!
Hydrogen peroxide is a great solution for bleaching wood. But, it may not be suitable for all tree species. When used on oak, the wood may turn a shade of green. Bleaching is done using a 30% solution.
Wood Brightener does 3 things for your deck: It neutralizes any remaining stain stripper or wood cleaner. It restores and brightens wood to its natural, bare state. It opens the pores of the wood.