http://www.care2.com/greenliving/homemade-wood-stain.html
Homemade Wood Stain
It is a good idea to make your own wood stains when you embark on furniture refinishing projects. Commercial stains contain synthetic pesticides, including fungicides, that can cause environmental problems and health risks. A rule of thumb for buying stains is that the darker the stain, the fewer pesticides, since the pigment provides more protection from ultraviolet light. Clear sealants exposed to the sun won’t last long, so more chemicals are added.
Natural pigments are made from minerals (from earth and clay, called iron oxides) and vegetables (roots, bark, leaves, and fruit such as alkanet root, beets, walnuts, purple cabbage, coffee and tea, indigo, and madder root). Natural pigments make exquisite, mellow colors.
To make your own plant dye/stains:
- Simmer a handful of plant
matter in 4 cups of water for an hour, adding more water as it evaporates.
- Cool, strain, and add 1/2 teaspoon of alum (available in the spice section of supermarkets) as a fixative.
- Paint on, dry, and recoat two to four more times
or as desired.
*You can make your own earth pigment in the old way, by finding interesting colored dirt and washing it well.
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11 comments
add your comment »I am curious about faux finishing the interior walls of my living room using the coffee stain and a rag. Will this work or would the cured stain run in humid conditions without a sealer?
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please give me some examples of plant material...i am new to this and not sure ..thank you very much
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I have the question about waterproofing as well and wondering if this recipe you have listed is adequate to do floors. Not sure how far it would go, I would probably need a pretty big stock pot!
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Hello,
I was wondering if there was something that could be used to make the wood stain waterproof. I'm doing a science fair project and wood sealants are a little pricey seeing as i have to buy 10 different brands or types. Id very much appriciate it if you could get back to me on this.
Thanks. =)
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HI,
wonderful idea. I want to stain something white, do you know what could I use for this purpose ?
thanks
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we have black walnut trees and wanted to make a stain that we could use on our deck any suggestions as to what we need to add?
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The casing surrounding pecans makes a beautiful, dark brown dye with green undertones. Very earthy. If you have an orchard close go get the hulls in the late summer early fall when the nuts begin to fall.
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The stains sound great but what can you use to clean these surfaces?
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yah! thank you! demystification! simple!
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i have boiled red beets and made into wood stain...this works great.....
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