Wood Bleach Alternatives

Bleaching Wood

• Refinishing wood can involve simply repainting or restaining it a different color or stripping it of all color, which essentially leaves you with a blank canvas to start over with. Bleaching can be done to eliminate imperfections such as knots or unsightly grain marks, or remove some or all of the wood's color and markings. The degree of color stripping dictates how much bleach to use and how long the process takes. All basic types of wood bleach are effective, but only a two-step process involving sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide will remove all of the wood's natural color. Alternatives to these potentially hazardous products are composed of natural ingredients such as citric acid and alkalines combined with environmentally friendly mild detergents.

Using Alternative Products

• Because alternative products such as Brite & Clean or Sun Frog leave no caustic residues behind after use, they can be thoroughly rinsed off with plain water using a power washer or garden hose. As with conventional wood bleaches, allow the wood to dry completely to determine how well the solution worked and before sanding or applying paint, stain or sealer. Alternative wood cleaners do not contain chemicals found in traditional wood bleach, including sodium hypochlorite, better known as chlorine bleach, sodium hydroxide or caustic soda, hydrogen peroxide and oxalic acid. Like their traditional counterparts, repeated use of the alternative products is sometimes necessary to achieve the desired color or effect.

Washing Wood

• Wood exposed to the elements needs particular attention, and products are available for this purpose. Sunlight, heat, moisture, and debris such as fallen leaves all take their toll on exterior construction such as decks or wood siding. Sunlight and heat discolor the wood, and moisture creates stains and fosters the growth of molds and fungi. Debris stains and sets the stage for decay. Bleach-free formulas such as Clean & Brite remove dirt and stains from the wood and kill bacteria that multiply rapidly in the grain and in any cracks that form due to weather exposure.

Wood Strippers

• Kleen-Strip and Strip & Brite are among the more powerful bleach-free alternative formulas designed to restore wood to its original, prefinished state. Composed primarily of higher concentrations of citric acid, they go beyond merely cleaning the wood and remove all traces of old finishes, residue, dirt and oils that have worked their way into the grain. They also remove water stains and discolorations due to heat and sunlight. In some cases, such strong products should be used in smaller amounts, as the results can quickly go beyond the desired effects. As with all such products, it's important to read and follow all instructions carefully to get the best results.