Removing Varnish to Re-Stain Wood

Move the wood piece into a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. Set it onto a plastic tarp or newspaper and slip on a pair of rubber gloves, safety goggles and a respirator.

Add one tablespoon of liquid dish soap and four cups of warm water to a bucket and stir. Dampen a soft cloth with the mixture and clean the wooden furniture to remove any dust or dirt. Rinse the cloth with clean water and wipe the furniture to remove any soap residue. Allow the piece to air-dry.

Cover the piece with a thick layer of chemical varnish stripper using a paintbrush. You will need to dispose of the paintbrush after working with the chemical stripper, so don't use a high-quality brush.

Cover the furniture loosely with aluminum foil. Allow the stripper to remain for at least 30 minutes or as directed by the instructions. The aluminum foil prevents the chemical stripper from evaporating.

Remove the aluminum foil and scrape away the stripped varnish with a plastic paint scraper. Hold the scraper at a 30-degree angle and use it to push the varnish off the furniture and into an empty, clean paint can. Seal the can when all of the stripper has been removed.

Dampen a rag with mineral spirits and wipe the wood to remove any remaining varnish.

Place the rag and your used paintbrush in another empty paint can and seal it. Dispose of the cans according to the directions on the stripper label.