Make Wood Less Orange: Stripping Furniture With Easy-Off Oven Cleaner

You have to try this ingenious hack for stripping furniture with Easy-Off oven cleaner. It will enable you to reveal the natural beauty of your furniture. With just a few simple steps, you can transform dull and discolored wood into a blank canvas ready for staining or painting. Let's get started!

Tools and materials

  • Easy-Off oven cleaner (ensure it contains sodium hydroxide)
  • Protective gloves
  • Safety goggles
  • Old brush or scrubbing pad
  • Hose with spray nozzle
  • Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
  • Clean cloth or rag
  • Stain or paint (optional, for finishing)

1. Prepare for safety

Before beginning, ensure your safety by wearing protective gloves and safety goggles. Easy-Off oven cleaner contains powerful chemicals, so it's important to protect your skin and eyes from any potential contact.

How to make furniture less orange

2. Apply Easy-Off oven cleaner

Spray a generous amount of Easy-Off oven cleaner onto the discolored areas of your wooden furniture. Make sure to cover all affected surfaces evenly. The sodium hydroxide in the cleaner will help break down the grime and discoloration.

Sun soaking the furniture

3. Sun soak

Move the treated furniture to a sunny spot in your yard or outdoor area. Allow the Easy-Off oven cleaner to sit on the wood for about 30 minutes. The combination of the cleaner and sunlight will work together to lift the discolored layers.

Scrubbing Easy-Off oven cleaner on furniture

4. Rinse and scrub

After the soaking period, put on your gloves again and grab your hose with a spray nozzle. Thoroughly rinse the furniture to remove the Easy-Off residue. Once rinsed, take an old brush or scrubbing pad and gently scrub the wood to help lift any remaining grime. Be cautious not to scrub too aggressively to avoid damaging the wood.

5. Dry and inspect

Allow the furniture to dry completely in the sun. Once dry, inspect the wood to see the improvement in its color and appearance. You'll likely notice a significant reduction in discoloration, revealing the original beauty of the wood.

Sanding and smoothing the furniture

6. Sand and smooth

With the wood now clean and dry, it's time to sand away any remaining imperfections. Start with medium-grit sandpaper to even out the surface and remove any stubborn spots. Follow up with fine-grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth and ready-to-finish surface.

Applying stain to the furniture

7. Stain or paint (optional)

Now that your furniture is stripped and smooth, you have the option to apply a stain or paint to achieve the desired look. Choose a color that complements your space and follow the manufacturer's instructions for application. Allow the finish to dry thoroughly before moving or using the furniture.

Letting the stain dry
Stripping furniture with Easy-Off oven cleaner

Stripping furniture with Easy-Off oven cleaner

Congratulations! You've successfully transformed your discolored wooden furniture using the power of Easy-Off oven cleaner. By following these simple steps, you've rescued your furniture from the brink of being dull and orange, and it's now ready to shine with a fresh stain or paint.


Remember to prioritize safety by wearing protective gear and handling chemicals carefully throughout the process. Enjoy your revitalized furniture and the satisfaction of a job well done!


Follow @wilsonfarmandhome on Instagram for more DIY ideas.

Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
  2 questions
  • June Valiquet June Valiquet on Aug 13, 2023
    Do you have to remove the paint first
  • All15127717 All15127717 on Aug 13, 2023
    Will it remove old paint from a chair? My ex used oven cleaner to remove company logos that was painted on vehicles.
Comments
Join the conversation
 4 comments
  • Charlene Charlene on Aug 08, 2023
    I've been using this method for over 40 years..lol My aunt taught me, she has been doing it alot longer. 😁😅
  • Tammy Tammy on Aug 13, 2023
    I have tried this and it did not work at all! I think someone with stocks in Easy Off came up with this.
    • Wilson.home.design Wilson.home.design on Feb 18, 2024
      Bummer! So sorry it didn't work out! I know the sun has an effect on it as well.. maybe that?
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