Whitening an oak table with white vinegar may seem strange but it is one of the most popular ways to restore an old, tired table to its former glory. Oak furniture has a timeless look that just about anyone can fall in love with. There are also many different colors and stains for you to choose from. If you want to give your table a bright, youthful look you should consider using a whitening treatment.
You can choose from borax, lemon juice or even baby shampoo to whiten your oak furnishings. The great thing about vinegar is that it is extremely affordable, easy to find and very easy to use. Of course, if you’re looking to whiten an oak dining table, it would be more cost effective to hire a professional to come in and do it for you. But if you have an old table at home that has lots of character, and you’re feeling adventuresome, you can definitely whiten it yourself. It’s really not that difficult.
For starters, get out some cheap tablecloths and napkins. You will need these to apply the vinegar. Prepare a solution consisting of two tablespoons of vinegar plus two cups of warm water. Use this solution to wet the shabby chic home decor items you want to whiten; this would include vases, old pictures, ceramics and mirrors. Then, rub the items you’re going to whiten with a mixture of warm water and vinegar.
For shabby chic tables, you can start by using a solution of one part water and two parts vinegar. This can be applied using paper towels or a cloth sponge. Let the solution to dry for about thirty minutes. Next, wipe the tabletop using a soft cloth and apply a layer of the solution onto the surface. Finally, buff the tabletop using a clean damp cloth to remove any excess solution.
If you have an old, cracked table top, you need to apply some solution onto it. Make sure the solution is acid-free before applying it to the table. Also, be very careful when cleaning the top surface because the vinegar can damage it. Use a cotton cloth dipped into the solution to blot the stained part. To remove the stains, scrub the top with a toothbrush. Be careful not to Nick or scratch the wood.
For those looking for a quick and easy way on how do you whitewash an oak table, all you need to do is use white vinegar. The type of vinegar you use depends on how your table is already stained. For example, if it’s already stained with mud, just use apple cider vinegar. On the other hand, if the table is white or cream, then you can use regular vinegar.
When using white vinegar, mix it with some warm water. It will be easier to dissolve the powdery residue left after using vinegar solutions. Fill up a clean spray bottle with warm water and then put about half cup of white vinegar into it. Leave the bottle in the bathroom, open until it’s about halfway full. Then, spray the entire bathroom with a mixture of the vinegar and water. Leave it until the stain is gone.
Before you apply how do you whitewash an oak table, you need to determine which part of the table needs to be cleaned. For that, you need to determine the stained part of the table. Once you’ve determined the spot, put a drop of lemon juice onto it. Leave it there for a few minutes. Then, scrub the lemon juice on the stained part using a toothbrush or sponge. Afterward, rinse the table cloth using warm water and then dry the cloth with the towel.