How to Use Sodium Tetraborate to Give Wood an Aged Appearance

Home decorators and crafters are often looking for ways to make things appear more visually appealing. If the look you desire is aged wood, you have many methods to choose from. Sodium tetraborate, also known as borax, is an easily accessible cleaning product and detergent that can be used for this purpose. Borax dries the wood out a bit to make it appear weathered or aged. Use sodium tetraborate on unpainted household items such as chairs and tables or for wood art and crafts.

Plastic gloves
Bucket
3 ozs. sodium tetraborate
1 gallon warm water
Stirring spoon
Rags
Scrub brush

Instructions

- 1
  Put on plastic gloves in preparation for working with the borax.
- 2
  Place 3 ozs. of sodium tetraborate into 1 gallon of warm water. Stir with a spoon until the sodium tetraborate is completely dissolved.
- 3
  Set up a work space outside or in a location that can get wet, such as a garage. Place the wood item that you wish to age in this area.
- 4
  Soak your rag with the sodium tetraborate solution and apply it to the wood item. Make sure to completely cover it with the solution.
- 5
  Allow to sit and dry for 24 hours before checking the appearance. If it is not sufficiently aged, apply the solution again with a scrub brush. Allow the piece to sit for an additional 12 to 24 hours. Repeat as needed until the desired appearance has been achieved.

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