Oak is a wood that is already renowned far and wide for its excellent properties, including its strength and flexibility, its beauty, and its durability. With oak wood in your home, you can have a true asset that will stand the test of time. But what if your oak wood elements are already showing signs of damage, such as rotting, splitting or cracking, and more? What if they are already discoloured with age and are not showcasing their original sheen? It may be time for a good cleaning, but restoring the wood may be necessary as well. If you are unsure of how to do it right and would like to use the best, most natural restoration remedies, here’s a list of the methods you can use to restore old oak.
Using oil
If you like to restore the wood’s sheen and shine and protect it from the elements simultaneously, you can use different oils combined with either lemon or white vinegar. You can apply the mixture on top of wood stain as well. One excellent oil you can use is linseed oil, and you can use it alone without combining it with white vinegar or lemon. Linseed oil comes from flax, and you can apply a single layer to the wood to give it a subtle yellow tint. Alternatively, you can use shellac or a mixture of white vinegar and olive oil or coconut oil mixed with lemon. For the vinegar/olive oil mixture, mix 1 tbsp of vinegar with 3 tbsp of olive oil, and use a soft cloth to wipe the mixture on the surface of the wood. If you want the wood to have a darker finish, you can use coconut oil mixed with lemon juice. Moisten the surface first with a piece of damp cloth, let it dry, and then apply the coconut oil/lemon juice mixture with another piece of cloth.
Using wax
If you want to curate the wood, you can use the wax method, and these come in sticks, pastes, or oils. Waxes come with different degrees of toughness and various colours, but they all prevent the greying of the wood and prevent it from splitting.
You can use beeswax, for example, and this is a popular natural way of treating and protecting oak, as restoration specialists like Bespokebeams.co.uk will tell you. Take note that beeswax will need time to dry (about a month), so make sure you have the proper finish. Beeswax is an excellent choice because, like other waxes, it can also nourish the wood.
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Staining the wood
Staining wood often involves the use of chemicals, but there are some natural stains you may be able to use as well. One of these is coffee, which offers a basic, subtle stain. All you have to do with this is make a strong brew and let it cool, then dip a cloth onto the liquid and apply this to the surface of the wood. You can assess if it’s dark enough, but more than one coat will usually do the trick.
You can also use tea, balsamic vinegar, or even red wine, but for best results, it’s a good idea to consult with an expert in restoration as well.