How to Lighten Wood That Has Been Darkened With Water Damage

Lighten dark wood with bleach

It is sometimes possible to repair wood that has been discolored due to water damage. The process involves stripping the wood of polish, sanding and then bleaching it. The amount of time required to complete this process will depend on the expanse of the wood. It is best to work in a well-ventilated room when using chemicals. Protect yourself with gloves and a respirator.

Things You'll Need

• Sponge
• Liquid soap
• Water
• Varnish remover
• Paint brush
• Scrapper or spatula
• Mineral spirit
• Cotton cloth
• Fine sandpaper or wood sander
• Household bleach, oxalic or two-part bleach

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Instructions

1. Clean the wood surface. Use a sponge and soapy water to wash the surface clean of dirt. Wash the soap off with clean water and a clean sponge.

2. Strip the finish off the wood. Apply a layer of varnish remover with a paint brush and let it sit on the wood as long as the manufacturer recommends. Use a scraper or spatula to scrape off the stripper. Do this carefully to avoid making cuts in the wood. Apply a liberal amount of mineral spirit to a cotton cloth and wipe the wood surface clean. Let it dry.

3. Sand the wood surface lightly to remove any remaining traces of the wood finish. It is best to use fine sandpaper. However, if you decide to use a sander, be careful to sand evenly so you do not create uneven spots in the wood.

4. Soak the wood surface with bleach. Although you can use household bleach, there are wood bleaches that are more effective. These include oxalic and two-part bleach. Use a sponge to apply a liberal amount of bleach to the wood surface. Let the bleach soak in for about 10 minutes, then wipe it off with a clean sponge and plenty of clean water. Repeat this step on any dark spots that remain.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a cloth to rub a small amount of a brightening toothpaste onto small dark spots. Continue until the stain disappears then wipe the toothpaste off with a clean cloth.

References

• New York Times: Home and Garden: Repair
• Grand Home Furnishings: Maintaining Your Wood Furniture