How to Tea Stain Cabinets

Tea stain provides a natural brown color.

Early settlers in America often colored cloth and furniture with tea stains. In modern times, many people are returning to earth-friendly ways of staining, which gives the wood a primitive look. Tea staining is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to add color to a kitchen, as no hazardous materials or chemicals are involved in the process. The final look of the cabinets depends upon the strength of the tea, the number of coats you apply and your technique.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2 gallon of water
• 8 to 10 family-sized tea bags
• Alum
• Foam paintbrush
• Plastic shower curtain
• 2 sheets of sandpaper, #220 and #120
• Philips-head screwdriver
• Rags

Instructions

1. 

   Sandpaper comes in several grits

   Unscrew the hinges and remove the cabinet doors. Place them on two sawhorses, or similar. Sand the doors with #120 sandpaper, front and back. Switch to #220 sandpaper as the doors become smooth. Sand the cabinet's sides and front trim.

2. 

   Tea can be made from many different natural materials

   Bring 1/2 gallon of water to a boil. Turn off heat and add eight family-sized tea bags. If the water is not dark enough, add two more tea bags. If the water is too dark, add more water until you achieve the desired color. Add 1/2 tsp. of alum to act as a fixative.

3. Lay an old plastic shower curtain under the kitchen cabinets to catch drips as you apply the stain. Dip a foam brush into the tea and apply it to cabinets and doors with one stroke from top to bottom, following the grain of the wood. Use cloth rags to wipe up excess stain and to push the stain into the wood.

4. Create your own pattern with the paintbrush and rags. Apply the stain evenly over the entire set of cabinets, or by alternating dark and light stripes. Use the rags to apply the tea stain in splotches, if you prefer. Allow the stain to dry completely.

5. Fix mistakes by wetting a rag with plain water, then rubbing the area that needs correcting. Repeat as often as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Always sand with the grain of the wood, the direction that the lines in the wood run.

• Apply your tea stain to a scrap piece of wood (the same type of wood as your cabinets) before staining your cabinets.

• Apply a polyurethane finish to protect the stain from dirt and grease.

• Do not apply tea stain in temperatures below 55 degrees F.

• Scratches in the wood will show up after tea stain is applied. Some people intentionally scratch the wood for an antiqued look.

• Do not apply a polyurethane finish unless you have experience. Mistakes can be costly.

References

• Care2: Homemade Wood Stain