The dirty drawer shelf that inspired me to get this look on my wood.
For this project you'll need:
- Brillo pads
- vinegar
- tea
- hot water
- paintbrush
I have posted a few painting techniques in the past, take a look at my most recent one which I used for some fall pumpkins. The thing is, I really don't like using chemicals. It's pretty hot here in Arizona, and I hate using chemicals in my home, so if I can use a no chemical solution to get the same results, then I'm all in! Today I was cleaning out my under the sink flip out drawer. It was looking really rusty and dirty and then I had a light bulb moment! If by leaving my Brillo pads in that drawer creates a rusty finish, then who says I couldn't do the same for wood? Using tea bags (which can stain pretty nicely as well) I created this new finish for my wooden wall ladder.
The dirty drawer shelf that inspired me to get this look on my wood.
I took my Brillo pad and soaked in vinegar over night. It was a bit pink, which is not what I was going for, but onward we go!
I used this open tea bag and added some hot hot tap water (next time I’d leave the tea in the bag so the gains don’t strain out).
I began by painting the ladder with the tea first. Once again I was worried because the tea was raspberry and it was very red. But I made it work!
Then I used the vinegar that I had soaked my Brillo in overnight. I painted it over the tea stain.
I removed the Brillo...
As it started to dry I got really excited! It began to look like a grey and weathered look- love!
I continued and painted with the tea and then the Brillo solution over the whole ladder.
And it turned out great! No paint, no chemicals, and it looks so good.
PS- I cleaned my drawer, but it remained a but stained. Looks like this technique would also work on plastic! I think I'll try this technique along with my cinnamon rust technique which I posted a few weeks ago.
Great job!!
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Have a question about this project?
I tried steel wool and vinegar and left for two days... Nothing happened... I tried painting it on raw wood but nothing happened... what am I missing?
I think it only works on certain woods that have tannin in it such as oak and walnut. Read up on the woods as some do not have tannin in them.
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