How To Clean Wood With Sodium Bicarbonate (Oxygenated Bleach)

Josh Richards • Feb 02, 2023

Wood is a beautiful material, but it can be hard to keep it that way. Wood requires regular maintenance and cleaning to maintain its natural beauty. We'll show you how to clean wood with sodium bicarbonate (oxygenated bleach), which is easy and highly effective at removing stains from wood surfaces.

Use low concentration

You'll want to use the lowest concentration available. For example, if you're using oxygenated bleach in a spray bottle, don't fill up the bottle more than halfway with water. It is because oxygenated bleach tends to foam when spraying, so you don't want to have too much of it in the mix—it's better to under-concentrate than over-concentrate!

You can also buy diluted sodium bicarbonate solutions at many hardware stores or online. These are typically sold as "water softeners" (they contain more sodium than bicarbonate) but still fall within the range we're looking for in cleaning wood surfaces with this chemical.

Apply with a soft cloth or sponge

Now that you've made the solution let's apply it. A soft cloth or sponge will work best to apply the solution to your wood. You can use a brush or sprayer if you prefer, but be careful that you don't end up with too much liquid on your wood—that can cause damage!

Use the tiniest bit of water to dissolve the bicarbonate (concentrations should be at most 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water)

Use the tiniest bit of water to dissolve the bicarbonate (concentrations should be at most 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water).

Use a ratio of 1:10 bleach to water, so you'd mix one part bleach with ten parts water.Using your cloth or sponge, apply the solution in small amounts and wipe away any dirt or debris that comes off your cloth or sponge. If you want to test whether it is clean or not, try rubbing a little bit between your fingers and then smelling—if there is no odor, it is clean enough!

Rinse wood thoroughly when cleaning is complete

Rinse off any remaining bleach solution with clean water. Make sure to use a cloth that is not colored or stained because the bleaching process may cause stains if you don't rinse it thoroughly. If any residue is left over, use a soft bristle brush to scrub away the stubborn spots, then wipe your wood with a clean cloth to remove excess moisture and let it dry completely before using it again.

The cleaner will leave a film as it dries, so wipe it off with a dry cloth.

After allowing the cleaner to dry for at least 24 hours, wipe it off with a dry cloth. Do not use water to clean off the cleaner as this can cause little splinters of wood that are now exposed to become brittle and break.

Use a soft cloth or sponge rather than abrasive tools such as brushes or power washers, which will damage the wood more than necessary.

Measure the area being cleaned, and prepare enough solution to clean all of it at once

Measure the area being cleaned, and prepare enough solution to clean all of it at once. You can use a measuring cup for this or eyeball it—the important thing is to get an appropriate amount, so you don't run out halfway through cleaning!

Use a spray bottle or funnel to apply the sodium bicarbonate solution. Don't use too much—you want just enough liquid on the surface that if you were to put your finger into it, it wouldn't drip off onto your hand.

Wipe the surface with a soft cloth (or paper towel if you're dealing with something more delicate) soaked in some water. It should remove most of whatever dirt has been loosened by this point.

Clean any residue off using another clean cloth soaked in water, then wipe down with plain water to remove any excess soapiness from earlier wipes (this step is optional depending on how much residue there was).

Tackle Burned-On Grit

Burned-on grit is a common problem that affects the surface of the wood. It's caused by cooking, fire, or other chemicals and can leave a brown residue on your wood. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is a popular home remedy for this problem.

Step 1

Mix 3 cups of water with 1 cup of baking soda in a bowl. Make sure you mix the baking soda well with the water, so there are no lumps or bubbles in your mixture.

Step 2

Spray the mixture onto your wooden surface using an automatic sprayer or mister. You'll want to use enough to cover the entire surface, but be careful not to create dust clouds in your house if you use an overhead sprayer.

You may also want to wear rubber gloves while spraying since most household cleaners contain ammonia which can irritate the skin when it comes into contact with it.

If you don't have gloves, wash them off immediately after using them, as they will likely still be holding some of that cleaner residue on them!

When done, wipe off any excess liquid from your wood surface with a clean rag or paper towel.

Cleaning wood with sodium bicarbonate requires care, but the results are outstanding.

Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is a natural cleaner with many benefits and advantages. It's safe to use on wood, and it's inexpensive. The only thing you need to be careful about when cleaning with sodium bicarbonate is that the wood must be dry before you begin.

Conclusion

Clean the wood regularly to ensure its longevity. It's also an excellent way to keep your home fresh and clean. The potential dangers of using sodium bicarbonate as a cleaner outweigh its benefits, making it a safe choice for cleaning wood surfaces.