Lightwood is the current fashion. It’s possible to paint your kitchen furniture if you don’t want to change it. It is cheaper and just as efficient. There are many ways to lighten oak kitchens. Find out which one. Follow our tips to complete small tasks safely. It’s easy to transform your dining room and make it more inviting.
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Tips to brighten an oak kitchen
You need to consider a few things before you decide to lighten your kitchen using oak wood.
- All treatment must be done on bare wood. This means that you must first strip the wood. It is necessary to remove any wax or varnish that may have protected it.
- If the handles or other hardware on your kitchen furniture is metal, then you will need to remove them and protect them with aluminum foil. Their oxidation may be caused by lightening.
- Be careful not to splash as an accident could happen very quickly. Use old sheets or plastic sheeting to protect the floor and furniture.
- It is better to lighten a small portion of oak furniture first before you do the whole thing. This will allow you to test the wood’s reaction.
The different ways to brighten oak kitchens:
Oxalic acid
There are many ways to lighten the wood. One of these is the use of oxalic acids. Simply dissolve the powder in water. Wear gloves made from household materials and wear glasses to protect your eyes. Cover your clothing and ventilate the space.
These are the quantities that must be followed to ensure a successful operation: 200g of oxalic Acid for 1 liter of hot water. Allow sitting for approximately two hours. Use a sponge or brush to apply the product to the cabinet. Then rinse with lots of water, and then again with alcoholic water. Mix household alcohol and water in the same proportion. Remember to dry the product for 24 hours.
Spirits methylated
It can be used to clean and brighten oak furniture. Although it can be quite harmful, it is less hazardous than ammonia or bleach. Use gloves when handling.
Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia
Brightening oak kitchens is possible with the ammonia/hydrogen peroxide combination. This solution is strong and will not harm the wood.
Pour 130-ml hydrogen peroxide in a glass, plastic or ceramic bowl. Use household gloves and cover your clothing to protect yourself. During the operation, ventilate the area. The product’s vapors should not be inhaled.
Apply the mixture to the wood using a nylon brush, or a sponge. Allow to dry for at least an hour. Next, rinse with vinegar water. Then dry the cloth with a towel.
Bleach
Bleach can be used to give oak wood furniture a beautiful, elegant bleached look.
Heat some water in a large bowl. Pour a small amount (10 cl) of bleach into a bowl. Protective gloves and clothing should be worn to avoid staining or discoloration. Open your kitchen window.
After all precautions have been taken you can immerse your quack grass brush into the mixture and then brush the furniture for a while. Respect the grain of wood. Use a sponge to rinse the wood. Rinse the sponge with vinegar water. Let it dry.
You can do the same operation again on another day to get very light wood.
Also Read, -Top 10 Oven Cleaning Tips For Healthy Kitchen -A complete guide to Kitchen cleaning
How about the bleach or wood thinner you bought at the store?
You can use store-bought thinners if you don’t want to brighten up your oak kitchen using homemade tips and recipes. You can thin wood with a variety of products. Wood bleach is one of them.
You must remove all furniture from the room before you purchase any product. There are many options: sandpaper; emery cloth; suitable steel wool; fine abrasive.
After stripping is complete, you can apply a layer to the surface. This can be done with a brush. To ensure that the discoloration achieved meets your expectations, you can test it on a small area. Let dry the first layer for several hours. Next, proceed to the next layer. If you see a layer of powder, mix one part vinegar with four parts water. Use a cloth that has been soaked in the product to remove the powder layer.
It is possible to reuse wood bleach on other surfaces. This product is versatile and can be used indoors or outdoors on shutters as well as door frames, doors, furniture beams, floors, flooring, parquet floors, and other surfaces. This product is able to lighten wood without damaging it, unlike bleaches. Wood bleach can also be used to clean stained or dirty wood.
What can you do with thinned lumber?
You can choose to repeat the operation, regardless of whether you’ve chosen one of these methods. Wait until the oak dries completely. It will always appear darker when it is wet.