Step By Step Process & Items Needed To Clean Whitewashed Oak Cabinets
Whitewashing is a method that requires applying sophisticated paint to wood, then cleaning it off while still wet. The whitewashing process works exceptionally for pine wood furniture, it can also be the best option when it comes to oak cabinets. Most frequently known as a pickling stain when it is used on oak, the process to produce the whitewash or pickling stain begins with dissipating the paint with water. As soon as you apply the dissipated paint to the wood, use a damp rag to eliminate the excess paint before it dries completely, leaving the openings of the wood embedded with color, but the grain showing through. A final finish coat secures the cabinets, making them safe and easy to clean.
Items Needed
- Vacuum & Extension Hose With Brush
- Two Plastic Buckets
- Liquid Dishwashing Detergent
- Sponge & Cotton Rags
- Beeswax Paste & Two Soft Cotton Cloths
Step By Step Process
- First of all, detach all the hardware parts from the whitewashed oak cabinets & then keep them at a safer place in order to use them again later.
- Now, fasten the extension hose to the vacuum & fix it with the small soft brush attachment. Make sure to vacuum all the sides of the cabinet including the inside parts & get rid of all the loose debris.
- Next, blend warm water(10 parts) & liquid dishwashing detergent(1 part) in one of the gallon buckets. Blend the mixture properly with your hands in order to create suds. Then take a second bucket & add clear warm water to it.
- Make the sponge wet in the cleaning solution and squeeze it out in order to eliminate the excess. Cleanse the inside of the cabinet. Wet the sponge in the clear water and squeeze it out, then clean the cabinet to eliminate soapy residue. Allow it to dry with the help of a clean rag.
- Now, perform the cleaning method for the outside of the cabinets, starting at the base and proceeding towards up. Smoothly rub the sponge in a circular motion in order to rigorously clean the cabinet's outside portion. Hose it down with clean water and make it dry with the rag. Make sure not to use a sponge with a scrubber, otherwise, it will scratch the wood's surface or remove the pickling stain. Use gentle pressure to the sponge, do not be too rough.
- Spread a natural beeswax product to the surface of the cabinet in order to shield them after the cabinets have dried. Measure up a dime-sized quantity of beeswax with a clean soft cloth. Make sure to work in small sections, brush the beeswax into the oak cabinet in the grain's direction. Also, you have to apply the beeswax equally to the surface of the cabinet. As soon as the beeswax begins to dry, you must polish it to give it a subtle shine.
- Now, wipe a clean cloth all over the waxed cabinet surface in order to brighten the wax and leave a shine. This step also assists in eliminating any uneven application of the wax. Replace the shining cloth with a clean one if in case it becomes too caked with wax. Keep rubbing in the direction of the grain until all the cabinets light up with a soft shine.
- Finally, reattach the detached items in the cabinets. Smoothly dust the cabinets between cleanings. Frequently clean cabinet exteriors at least once in every two months.