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Wood bleach is commonly used to lighten the color of wood or minimize dark areas such as mineral streaks to provide a more uniform appearance that would otherwise be very difficult or impossible to produce. Equalizing stains, sap stains, NGR stains, wiping stains, shade stains and toners can even the appearance of wood but can’t lighten the color of the wood. These stains will either darken the wood to achieve uniform color or cause a “painted” look. Wood bleach allows the wood itself to be lightened without the need for excessive stain making the color go too dark or causing a “painted” look.

This is especially useful when trying to achieve a light and/or bright consistent color on a dark speciess such as walnut. Walnut varies from “blonde” to brown to a very dark brown. Achieving a uniform lightly and/or brightly stained appearance would require culling the wood or lightening the wood. While both methods require extra work, lightening the wood is usually the less intensive, option especially if the number of pieces is great and there is not a use for the dark pieces left over from culling. Also, some lighter and brighter colors are impossible to achieve even if culling the wood because all pieces from a certain species would be too dark to begin with.

Wood bleach is also useful to create a uniform color in the wood when no stain will be used. When a customer wants “natural” or unstained furniture, wood bleach can even out the color of various pieces of wood of the same species. Achieving the look required would be almost impossible without wood bleach. In this way, the bleaching step replaces what equalizing stains, sap stains, toners and shade stains try to accomplish in a stained finish.

Wood bleach is different than common household bleach. Common household bleach is a diluted solution of sodium hypochlorite. It can lighten the color of the wood but would cause problems with stains and finishes since it is not neutralized. Wood bleach is made up of two components. One component is a solution of sodium hydroxide and the other component contains hydrogen peroxide. When used properly, the wood will be lightened and will be ready for stain and finish.

Always read and follow the directions from the manufacturer. Wood bleach contains hazardous ingredients. Sodium hydroxide is a corrosive and hydrogen peroxide is a corrosive and oxidizer. Do not apply wood bleach to finished wood. All finish must be removed and the wood sanded before bleaching.

It is very important to follow the proper directions so the wood bleach is neutralized. When wood bleach is not neutralized properly, it can interfere with the curing of some stains and finishes. This will make the finish less durable and it will need to be stripped and refinished.

Different suppliers may have different application methods. Below are two application methods from different suppliers, Wood Kote and Kwick Kleen.