How to Bleach Wood Floors Using Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid is one of the three main types of wood bleach. Mahogany, cherry and oak wood all benefit from you using oxalic acid because they contain large amounts of tannic acid that the acid easily lightens. Whether you want to lighten your entire floor, or just a portion where damage from water has occurred, oxalic acid is a great option.

80-grit sandpaper
120-grit sandpaper
2 qts. hot water
Bucket
8 oz. oxalic acid crystals
Plastic gloves
Scrub brush
Baking soda

Instructions

- 1
  Sand your wood floor with 80-grit sandpaper. Repeat a second time, but switch to a 120-grit sandpaper. Oxalic acid works best when the floor is stripped of any waxes or oils.
- 2
  Pour 2 qts. of hot water in a small bucket. Add 8 oz.of oxalic acid crystals and stir until they completely dissolve in the hot water.
- 3
  Put on a pair of plastic gloves and use a scrub brush to apply the oxalic acid solution to the wood floor. Scrub the solution into the floor and then let it sit until you see the wood become lighter.
- 4
  Rinse the floor with clean water several times to remove what remains of the oxalic acid solution.
- 5
  Sprinkle baking soda over the wood floor. The baking soda is needed to neutralize the oxalic acid. Wait 30 minutes and rinse the floor one last time.
- 6
  Sand the wood floor with an 120-grit sandpaper to reduce any parts of the wood that were raised during the application of the oxalic acid.

Can You Topcoat a Deck?

How to Lay Off, Level & Prepare Ground for a Patio

Decks & Patios