Wood bleaching: what products to use in the house, in the bathhouse, on the street

If the wood has darkened over time, you can return it to its original color by removing the top layer of wood using a plane or sander. The situation is much more complicated with dark and colored stains that appear as a result of the activity of wood-staining fungi. They penetrate deep inside, spoil the appearance of structures and, over time, are colonized by microorganisms that destroy the wood. There is only one way to get rid of such stains - chemical bleaching of wood.

Sanding a darkened log house Source ua-bud.com.ua

Why bleach wood

Among the fungi that attack wood, there are both very dangerous ones that destroy it, and quite harmless ones that cannot affect the structure of the tree. But they spoil its appearance, causing the appearance of black, green, blue or brown spots. During their life activity, wood-staining fungi increase the permeability of wood to moisture, and in a humid environment, harmful wood-destroying microorganisms can already develop. Therefore, it is necessary to combat this phenomenon not only to restore the marketable appearance of lumber, but also to protect it from more dangerous fungi.

Blackness and blueness can appear not only on fresh boards and logs, it also affects finished wooden structures, especially those that are not protected or are used in damp conditions. Not only does bleached wood look better, it is more resistant to infestation by dangerous mold organisms.

Logs damaged by blue fungus Source winterhouse.ru

The cause of wood discoloration is not always caused by fungi. It gradually darkens and turns gray from contact with air, under the influence of sunlight. Unsightly dark spots often appear around the installation sites of metal fasteners and fittings. This happens as a result of a chemical reaction between iron particles and phenols contained in wood.

In such cases, bleaching the wood with bleach or special means also helps restore the original color of the surface.

Finally, bleaching is used when it is necessary to lighten the natural shade of wood. The active components of the bleach discolor not only fungal cells, but also the pigment bonds of lignin - a natural polymer compound that holds the cells and fibers of wood together and determines its color.

Old grayed boards before and after bleaching Source kraski-net.ru

Interior decoration of the house with clapboard: photos of beautiful interiors of the living room and kitchen

Cladding boards can decorate the interior of any room. It is especially often used in country houses, dachas, and for finishing the interior and exterior walls of residential buildings and offices. Cladding trim (the video demonstrates the whole process) is found on balconies and loggias. It is indispensable when constructing gazebos, saunas, baths and much more.

The clapboard finish perfectly levels the walls and provides the required sound insulation. Such cladding will not lose its relevance and attractiveness for many years. Repairing wood trim is quite simple; just use decorative wax.

In city apartments, the interior is finished with clapboards (photos of various interiors are included in this article). Such premises require natural materials. The appearance of wood finishes is calming and creates comfort and coziness.

It is not necessary to cover the entire apartment with wood; it is enough to use lining in the kitchen (the photo shows various options).

Such a room will become a favorite place for all residents. It will be filled with warmth and a pleasant forest aroma. It is recommended to finish with cladding boards only in the dining area, and for the kitchen apron to select ceramic tiles that match the texture. An interesting solution would also be to decorate a room with clapboard or a hallway.

Types of bleaches

Products intended for bleaching wood are divided into two categories - chlorine-containing and chlorine-free. To choose what to bleach wood with, you need to know their properties and features.

Chlorine-free bleaches

This group includes compositions based on acetic and oxalic acid, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, various salts and alkalis. Their main advantage over chlorine bleaches is their low aggressiveness towards the wood structure. Such means do not violate its structure or affect its strength. In addition, they are easier to use, since they do not have a strong odor that forces you to use protective equipment, and are easily washed off.

Note! Any bleach must be washed off or neutralized after application and exposure to the surface.

Soft bleach Holtz Source incolors.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the reconstruction and rebuilding of houses

However, the intensity of exposure and duration of action are lower for chlorine-free bleaches, since they penetrate shallowly. Therefore, they are used in the following cases:

when you need to treat old, gray wood that has changed color due to time, and not due to exposure to fungi;
when work is carried out in a residential area or in a bathhouse;
to remove rust stains around fasteners;
to eliminate small foci of fungal infections - blue discoloration, dry mold, blackening.

One of the most popular chlorine-free bleaching products is Senezh Effo.

Chlorine bleaches

This group includes products based on chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite, and bleach. They solve the problem of how to bleach wood infected with staining or mold fungus, destroying its spores and discoloring the cells. That is, chlorine compounds also serve as an antiseptic.

Chlorine bleach is used to restore large area lesions Source landshaftnik.com

They penetrate deep into the structure of the wood and act more effectively, but at the same time they are washed off less easily, leaving alkali salts that destroy the fibers and make the wood loose and more vulnerable to wood-destroying fungi. Therefore, after treatment with bleach, it is necessary to apply a protective paint layer, wax or other composition that creates a water-repellent film to the surface.

Other disadvantages of these products are associated with their aggressive composition and pungent odor. You can work with them only in protective equipment, strictly following all the manufacturer’s instructions and without mixing with other drugs. For the same reason, they should not be used for bleaching wood in residential premises or should be done with great caution.

The most effective and popular products in this category:

Neomid 500;
Prosept 50;
Sagus;
Ecosept 500.

Chlorine bleach Ecosept Source ukr.bio

Classification of painting materials

Darkened lining can be painted with oil, alkyd or acrylic paints to restore the attractiveness of the surface. Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type of paint.

Oil paints

They have an unpleasant odor and are painted in good weather so that the room can be ventilated.

Positive sides:

service life is approximately 5 years;
the paint is well absorbed by wood and dries within 24 hours;
oil coating protects against moisture;
The low cost is captivating.

The disadvantage is the loss of shine during long-term use, it is difficult to apply another type of coating on top of this coating, and the oily surface does not breathe.

Alkyd paints

They are used for walls and floors. However, they should be applied to a completely dry surface, otherwise bubbles will form and the paint composition will then peel off. The alkyd composition is resistant to moisture and its cost is low.

Acrylic based paints

Experts recommend using these paints for lining because of their many advantages.

Acrylic paints are environmentally friendly and do not harm human health. They breathe, protect from moisture and are resistant to sub-zero temperatures.
Acrylic is odorless, dries quickly, without forming streaks.
The surface remains attractive for a long time.
However, you should not buy cheap types of acrylic paints - they can change color after drying. And also the process of applying acrylic is lengthy; it is necessary to apply the next layer after the previous one has completely dried.

Read about construction paints and new products on the market.

Advice from experienced craftsmen

If you paint with oil paints, then the shade is chosen one tone darker than the desired color, since over time the surface becomes lighter.
Do not paint in hot weather; drying occurs quickly and the surface may crack.
The lining should be coated with polyurethane varnish, which will enhance the texture effect and naturalness of the wood.
The color of natural wood is more suitable for bedrooms and country rooms.

So we looked at the issue, the lining has darkened, what to do . To enjoy attractive lining longer, you need to know about the basic rules for using wood and follow them. To choose lightening, consult with specialists.

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Can I use home remedies?

Products such as bleach, acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide are found in every home, so the temptation to use them instead of special expensive compounds is very great. But you shouldn’t do this, even though they work well. Not only can they leave streaks or change the color of the wood unpredictably, but they also act at a slower speed and require repeated application. And a long period of exposure without rinsing is fraught with the risk that the alkaline salts will penetrate too deeply, will not be washed out and will remain inside, having a destructive effect on the wood.

What can I do to prevent the coating from turning yellow?

Proper care of the material helps to significantly extend the service life and protect against the influence of negative factors. Proper care will maintain the attractiveness of the coating .

Rules of care

The material should not be heavily wetted, nor should aggressive chemicals be used for care.
Important
To clean a dirty surface, use a soft cloth soaked in water. For more serious contamination, you need to use solvents with a weak chemical composition.
When installing in rooms with high humidity, it is necessary to pre-treat them with a protective compound (how to treat lining?). Air should flow freely to the back of the board. The placement of the boards must be vertical. Under these conditions, excess moisture will not accumulate.

Lining is one of the most popular materials for finishing houses both outside and inside. The main advantages of metal are environmental friendliness and durability. In addition, the lining is a decorative element. How you can decorate the lining to give the interior an extraordinary look - read in our materials.

Some advice from experts

To increase the service life of the finishing board, you can coat it with special wax. It should be noted that this cheap composition is sold in any hardware store.
If during finishing work you leave an area of several square centimeters unlined, fresh air will circulate normally and preserve the surface for a long time (how to beautifully cover a room with clapboard?).

By following all the rules for caring for the skin, you can maintain its beautiful appearance for a long time.

It is hardly possible to compare wood with any other building material. It was, is and will be the best that can only be used in construction. By using lining as finishing, you can make your home comfortable, cozy, and pleasant. And well-known rules for caring for it will extend its service life and preserve the attractiveness of the finish for a long time.

Video description

You can see how a special bleach and whiteness for wood works in this video:
As you can see, the effectiveness of professional products is noticeably higher, since in addition to the main active compounds they contain additives to improve bleaching and other properties.

Catalysts promote better penetration of bleaching substances deep into the wood.
Stabilizers prolong their effect time.
Surfactants make rinsing easier.
Fungicides disinfect and antiseptic wood, destroying pathogenic flora.

In addition, bleaches are usually available in concentrated form; they are diluted with water in a certain proportion, which is selected depending on the degree of damage. Therefore, their consumption is relatively small, and instructions for use are detailed on the packaging.

It is more difficult to use home remedies precisely because it is impossible to determine the required concentration of the active substance. For example, bleaching wood with hydrogen peroxide is ineffective; instead, it is better to use a more concentrated perhydrol, and after exposure, be sure to neutralize it with a 4% solution of acetic acid. This means extra time and extra labor.

Regular 3% peroxide will not cope with bleaching; it is better to take a concentrated solution for swimming pools Source oknakr.dp.ua

For reference! All professional bleaches are washed off with plain water, with the exception of acidic ones. To neutralize them, soda is added to the water.

Traditional methods

There are also folk tips on how to remove soot from lining in a bathhouse and steam room.
You can use a soap solution for this. However, this event will require a lot of time and effort. Additionally, improvised abrasive materials such as river sand or crushed brick are sometimes used. The surface must first be vacuumed. Then everything is thoroughly rubbed with soapy water. But in this case, you also cannot count on an ideal result if the surface is seriously contaminated. Therefore, sometimes you have to combine different methods and look for how to wash soot and soot from the lining in a bathhouse and steam room in more reliable ways.

How and when to whiten

Wood staining and mold fungi develop very quickly under favorable conditions. Blackness and blueness spread not only over the surface, but also go deeper. Therefore, the earlier the treatment is carried out, the greater the effect it will have and the less it will harm the wood.

If bleaching is done indoors, people and animals must be removed from the area before the job is completed. It is advisable to open windows or turn on ventilation. Particular attention to how to bleach wood in a bathhouse. Firstly, this should be done immediately after the first signs of damage are detected, before small lesions spread over the entire surface. In conditions of high humidity and temperature this happens very quickly. Secondly, it is better to use special products for baths and saunas.

Detergent with bleach for baths and saunas from Tikkurila Source tikkurila-shops.ru

Any wood bleaching products work best at temperatures of 10-30 degrees and normal air humidity. In such conditions, they are quickly absorbed and actively affect fungi. Some can be used at lower and even negative temperatures, which must be indicated in the instructions.

But during the cold season, there is no urgent need to destroy the fungus, since it remains inactive and does not multiply until the onset of warm weather.

It is important! Some reagents in bleaches can affect the natural color of wood, changing its shade. If this is not desirable, then it is better to first experiment on scraps of boards of the same type or in inconspicuous places.

If wooden structures are to be planed or sanded, then this is done before bleaching the wood, since bleaches penetrate to a shallow depth, and after removing the top layer of wood, dark spots may again appear on it.

Why does the lining darken?

As practice shows, darkening of the surface of the lining is a fairly common phenomenon. In most cases, the reason for this is the negative influence of external factors. Among other things, darkening may be due to improper storage of the material or its poor quality.

Another important nuance that should be taken into account is that any wood, regardless of how it was treated, loses its attractiveness over time and begins to darken. For example, if you pay attention to the cedar shalevka, it is very afraid of sudden temperature changes, as well as exposure to moisture.

Darkening

As for linden, it is less capricious, but, one way or another, it also gradually begins to change its color to a darker one. A similar situation is observed with regard to pine or larch lining, as the photos clearly indicate.

Briefly about the main thing

Products that bleach wood surfaces are divided into chlorine and non-chlorine. The former cope better with fungi, the latter are more often used to restore the color of old wood. But they do not protect it from discoloration in the future. The wood may darken again from ultraviolet rays or wood-staining bacteria. To prevent this from happening, darkened structures need to be treated as early as possible, before the fungus goes deeper, then antiseptically carry out and a protective coating is applied.