Working with wood is satisfying and has all the perks of cleaning a beautiful wood material. However, it’s a messy procedure, and you will have wood stains all over your skin. So, how can you safely remove the stain from your skin?
Removing wood stains off your skin is not hard. You can use natural oils, washing soda, or home remedies. The key is knowing how the skin will react. Start with a small portion to test to know what works best without harming the skin.
Here are some techniques you can use to get rid of wood stains.
Tools You Need
- Hand towel
- Vinger
- Soap
- Natural oils
How to Get Wood Stain Off the Skin: 10 Methods Plus Steps
1. Use Natural Oils
Natural oils like olive act like cleansing agents. So, they’ll effectively remove stubborn stains from the skin. This removal method can be used by individuals whose skin is likely to get irritation. That’s because vegetable oil, like olive oil, isn’t harmful, unlike paint thinner or mineral spirits that are flammable.
Steps to follow
- Pour the natural oil into a bowl.
- Put your hands in the bowl of natural oil, take them off and scrub with a hand towel.
- If the stain is on other parts of your body, pour some oil on that area by wringing a hand towel in the oil and then use it to remove the stains.
- Clean it off with soap and rinse with warmer water.
2. Baking Soda Ash
Stain absorbents are combined with other stain removers, such as mineral spirits, acetone, or alcohol, to make the solution more effective. Baking soda is a common absorbent powder.
Steps to follow
- Mix water and baking soda to form a paste.
- Apply the paste like a mask on the hands and leave it for up to 10 minutes.
- After rinsing with warm water, use acetone, mineral spirits, or alcohol to wipe the hands.
- Finally, use water and soap to rinse.
3. Makeup Remover Wipes
Makeup remover wipes have chemicals such as emulsifiers and surfactants that can easily remove stains. Some makeup wipes contain alcohol, which is a common solvent in wood stains. They are better fitted to remove the stain on the facial skin.
Steps to follow
- Remove several wipes from its packaging.
- Using the wipes, gently wipe off the stained area. You may need to use up to eight wipes before fully removing the wood stain.
- Moisturize the affected skin to avoid dryness and irritation.
4. Use Rubbing Alcohol and Acetone
You can remove wood stains effectively from your skin using chemicals like rubbing alcohol and acetone, also called solvents. However, handle these chemicals with great care since they are flammable.
Steps to follow
- Have a smaller container and pour some acetone or alcohol on it. An acetone nail polish remover can also work.
- Take a cotton ball, and dip it inside the acetone or alcohol.
- Use the cotton ball to rub the stained area until the stain is off.
- Rinse off with warmer water and soap, and then moisturize your hands.
It’s important to note that acetone is also used to remove water-based stains. So, if you have water-based stains, acetone is the perfect stain-removing solvent to go for. The cheapest and easiest way to get acetone is by using a nail polish remover.
5. Use Citric Acid
Using citric acid is another effective method to remove wood stains from the skin, mainly if the stain is water formulated.
Steps to follow
- Since citric acid is in powder form, mix it with water to form a paste.
- Apply the paste to the affected area and leave it for at least 10 minutes. Wash it off with soap and warm water.
- Moisturize your skin to prevent dryness.
6. Use Mineral Spirits
Woodworking specialist Kevin Smith from woodhungry.com says, using mineral spirits is the best way to remove oil-based stains from your skin. However, wood stains that combine resin and pigment may get on your skin to create tougher stains, such as ink stains. This can be a problem if it occurs on sensitive skin. So, the most effective way to remove stubborn stains, such as tannic acid stains, is by using thinners or suspenders such as mineral spirits.
Steps to follow
- Take a covered opaque container and put it in the mineral spirit.
- Pour the white spirit on a cotton ball or white cloth and use your fingers to wipe it from the skin. Be careful since it’s highly flammable.
- To avoid chemical burns and inhalation of toxic fumes, continually pass running warm water over the affected skin.
- After the stain is off, use unscented soap to cleanse the area.
7. Use White Vinegar
If you can’t find washing ash, opt for other options like baking soda and white vinegar. Plain white vinegar has acetic acid, while baking soda has sodium bicarbonate. So, these substances are effective cleansers.
Steps to follow
- Add the substance of lukewarm water to the baking soda to create a thick paste.
- On the stained area, dab a hand towel in water and use it to wipe.
- Apply the solution to the stained part and scrub it gently. Then lightly cleanse it off with water and soap.
- When using plain white vinegar, soak a hand towel with the solution and use it to clean the stains. Cleanse it with water and soap.
8. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is effective in removing wood stains from the skin. It contains components that break down the stains and disintegrate them. In this process, you’ll need soap and peanut butter.
Steps to follow
- Gently apply the peanut butter to the affected area.
- Allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes.
- Scrub the part thoroughly using water and soap until the stains get off.
9. Use Turpentine
Turpentine is extracted from tree resin, and it doesn’t irritate the skin. It’s one of the most powerful solvents for removing wood stains and varnish from the skin. You’ll need a soft hand towel, soap, and turpentine.
Steps to follow
- Dip the hand towel into the turpentine solution and rub it on the affected area in a sweeping motion.
- Cleanse the solution with soap and water.
- Moisturize your skin to avoid dryness.
10. Use Washing Soda
Also called soda ash or washing ash, washing soda is a non-toxic substance you can use to remove wood stains from your skin. It’s one of the safest ways to remove wood stains. Sodium carbonate is the main ingredient in soda ash, making it a perfect stain-removing agent.
Sodium carbonate allows the washing ash to mix with water and penetrate the skin pores to remove the wood stains.
Steps to follow
- Mix water and ash in a 3:1 ratio to form a cleaning solution.
- Use soap and a hand towel to wash the affected area with the solution.
- Wash off with water and soap.
How to Pick the Best Remedy for Wood Stains Removal?
The best way to get wood stains off the skin depends on the type of stain. Ideally,
- Use natural techniques to remove wood stains safely
- Use chemical methods to remove the stains quickly
- For sensitive skin, use home remedies to avoid irritation
- Use soap and water if not in a hurry to get rid of the wood stain
Extended Tips: How to Know the Type of Wood Stain on Your Skin
The impact of wood stains on your skin is similar to when you gently test your stain on the wood. Nevertheless, here are the ways to check for the impact of the three types of wood stains.
1. Water-based wood stains
Check out the container labels to know the type of stain on your skin. Many wood stains feature their properties on the container. But if you can’t see the label, dab cotton wool in water and use it to wipe the affected area. If the cotton catches the stains, you know it’s a water-based wood stain.
2. Oil-based wood stain
Start by checking the stain container to determine the type. But if you can’t find any information, pour some water on the affected area, and if it seeps in its water-based stains. However, if the water forms tiny droplets or beads on the skin, it’s an oil-based wood stain.
3. Polyurethane thinner wood stain
This can be water-based or oil-based polyurethane. This is a kind of stain that causes skin irritation. So, if you feel some itch or notice minor inflammation, the wood-staining substance probably has polyurethane.
Final Words
Now that you’ve read and understood the various ways to remove wood stains from your skin, you can go ahead and paint your wood. In a nutshell, some of the steps to follow include:
- Choose your preferred cleaner
- Apply the substance or solution to the affected skin
- Gently rub the stain with a damp hand towel
- While the stain transfers to the hand towel, rotate it to clean the area
- Use water and soap to clean the section
- Repeat the process until you completely remove the stains
While protective gear might not protect your skin from stains, it will keep everything in control. Therefore, make sure you take some precautionary measures when using wood stains. Comment below if you have questions about getting wood stains off the skin.