--- title: "How to Remove Stain From Wood" description: "Stripping stain from wood is a key step in most refinishing projects. This task is one for which you'll need protective gear, but is one that novice DIYers can easily accomplish." date: "2020-05-19" modified: "2025-02-04" authors: - name: "Debbie Wolfe" job_title: "Contributing Writer & Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/debbie-wolfe/" - name: "Bob Vila" job_title: "Founder" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/bob-vila/" - name: "Teresa Odle" job_title: "Contributing Writer & Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/teresa-odle/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-stain-from-wood/" categories: - "DIY" - "Interior" - "Painting & Finishing" - "Paints & Finishes" tags: - "How To" - "News" - "woodworking" --- # How to Remove Stain From Wood ![Wiping down a wooden surface to remove wood stain.]() *Photo: MATIJA KEBER via Getty Images* Are you updating interior wood surfaces or refinishing a piece of furniture? You’ll first want to strip any stain from the wood. Removing dried wood stain and any protective varnish above it the initial step toward refinishing a prized piece of furniture or beautiful hardwood floors. Eliminating old wood stain can be a little trickier than paint removal, since the wood grain absorbs stain. Still, removing wood stain is a home improvement project that first-time DIYers can tackle in an afternoon. This guide will help you get the job done right. ## Project Overview ***Working time****: About 2 hours, plus drying time* ***Total time****: 24 hours* ***Skill level****: Beginner/Intermediate* ***Estimated cost****: $45 to $100* ## Before You Begin Before starting to remove wood stain, assess and prepare your work area for safety. This DIY task often requires the use of chemical strippers, so include protective equipment as part of your preparation. Many types of chemical strippers emit strong fumes and have high amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Put on a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. Before you open the stripper, don chemical-resistant gloves and [safety glasses]() to keep the stripper from coming into contact with your skin or eyes. Finally, put on a respirator mask. Plan to do your work with wood stain remover in a well-ventilated area—or outdoors, if possible. Clear the area of dust before starting, then lay down a drop cloth to protect the floors. ### Tools & Materials Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these links. - [Natural bristle paint brush]() - [Paint scraper or putty knife]() - [Steel wool]() - [Electric hand scraper]() - [Fine grit sandpaper ]() - [Mineral spirits]() - [Safety glasses]() - [Respirator mask]() - [Drop cloth ]() - [Microfiber cloth ]() - [Chemical wood stripper ]() - [Rags]() - [Medium grit sandpaper]() ## Guide to Removing Wood Stain ### Step 1: Gather your materials and prep the work area. Before you get started, note that most wood strippers (and even paint strippers designed to handle varnish) contain harsh chemicals that are dangerous to breathe in and should not touch your skin. If possible, work outdoors. If your wood piece is too large to move or you are stripping [hardwood floors](), make sure windows are open and the room is well ventilated. If you are stripping stain from a piece of furniture, lay down a drop cloth to protect the work area. Have the paint brush, stripper, and paint scraper, and other tools within reaching distance. ### Step 2: Choose your paint stripper. Although sanding alone can remove some [wood stains](), in most situations, you will need a chemical [paint stripper](). Although these products are harsh and even toxic, they could do less damage to a prized antique or vintage piece than the roughness of sandpaper when sanding off stain from wood. The types of paint strippers include: - **Solvents**, which are stronger and needed to work through varnish or thick layers or to remove oil-based stains. They can damage delicate wood, so be sure to follow directions carefully for use and safety precautions; these chemical strippers have a high VOC content and come with more health hazards than others. - **Caustic strippers,** chemical strippers that are not as strong, and can remove latex- or water-based wood stains but not polyurethane varnish. They probably will take longer to work than solvents will. - **Biochemical paint strippers**, which are safer than caustic or solvent types because they contain plant-based and organic compounds. They emit lower VOCs, but can still irritate skin and the respiratory system; these strippers are only effective on water-based stains. - **Zero-VOC strippers** might be the best option for DIYers who are concerned about VOCs and the use of common stripper chemicals like methylene chloride. These are less effective on wood than on metal or masonry, especially when it comes to removing polyurethane layers. ### Step 2: Prepare wood for stripping. ![A young woman uses a screwdriver to remove handles from a painted cabinet. ]() *Photo: ozgurcankaya via Getty Images ozgurcankaya* Before applying your paint stripper, be sure to prep the piece of furniture by removing any hardware, such as doorknobs, handles, or drawer pulls. Wood strippers or finishers can damage the color of metal hardware on furniture and [wood cabinets](). Reaching all the stain on a piece might involve taking furniture legs off or otherwise disassembling the item. Set the hardware aside or in a ziplock bag for reassembly later. Wipe down all of the wood surfaces with a microfiber cloth right before applying stripper. ### Step 3: Apply paint stripper. After donning protective gear, pour some stripper into a container. Only use a container that is designed to hold corrosive solvents, such as a disposable aluminum pan or a metal bowl. Pour the stripper into the container carefully so you don’t get any on your clothes or the floor. Dip the paintbrush into the container of stain stripper and apply a thick layer of the stripper to the wood. Carefully brush it across the surface of the wood until the entire surface is covered. Be sure to keep the layer of stripper even and thick. Gently push the stripper into nooks and crannies to be sure they are covered. ### Step 4: Let the stripper soak in. Generally, the stripper needs to soak in for about 20 minutes, but you'll want to read the label on the stain stripper you're using for the product's recommended timing instructions. Check on it every few minutes for signs of bubbling, which indicates that the stripper is working. If you notice any dry patches on the wood, apply more stripper. Cover the wood with plastic wrap if you need to to keep the stripper from drying out too quickly. ### Step 5: Scrape the stain stripper off the wood. Use a plastic scraper to scrape the varnish and stain from the wood. (To prevent nicks or damage to the wood, don't use a metal scraper.) Exert gentle but consistent pressure, since the stripper softens the wood’s surface. Start at one edge of the workpiece and gently push the scraper across the surface of the wood in a straight line to match the wood grain. Scrape off the debris (into a bucket or trash can, if you can), and repeat the process in a different area. Continue until all the stain stripper has been scraped away. If the wood piece has a thick layer of varnish, this first pass with the stripper might remove only that protective coat, but little to no wood stain. Reapply a coat of stripper where needed, and follow the steps above for removing the wood stain. ### Step 6: Scrub the surface of the wood. ![A hand wearing a purple latex glove uses a pad of steel wool to scrub off wood stain.]() *Photo: michal812/Depositphotos Photo: Depositphotos/michal812* If only small amounts of stain remain, they might come off with final sanding. You can try scrubbing them off with a steel wool pad, wiping in the direction of the wood grain. If necessary, dip the steel wool pad in the stripper before wiping down the surface. Follow the direction of the grain and be sure to get into every nook and cranny. Once you are satisfied that all the varnish and stain have been removed, wipe down the surface of the wood with a wet rag. (Another option is to dampen a cloth with mineral spirits to remove residue from stain and the stripper.) Allow the piece of wood to dry for 24 hours. ### Step 7: Sand the wood surface. Once the wood is dry, sand it with medium-grit sandpaper. If you're working on a large area, use an electric hand sander. When [sanding wood,]() always apply steady pressure and sand in the direction of the wood grain. Continue sanding until you remove all traces of the varnish and stain. As you continue to sand, the existing stain will fade away, exposing the raw wood beneath. Follow up with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any scratches made by the coarser sandpaper. ### Step 8: Wipe the dust with a damp rag. Once you are satisfied with the color of the wood, clean the sanding dust from the surface. You can vacuum it off or wipe it well with a dry rag. Wipe again with a damp rag to remove all of the wood dust, using a dab of mineral spirits if desired. Once dry from the damp wipe, the piece of wood is ready for a new stain and protective finish. ## FAQs ## Author Debbie Wolfe is a writer, photographer, and author. She’s been contributing to BobVila.com since 2020 but has been writing in the home and garden industry for 10 years. Debbie covers all topics pertaining to home, gardening, and food, and she has published hundreds of DIY tutorials with step-by-step photography for leading home and garden media outlets.