Create A Vibrant Natural Wood Stain With A Tannic Ingredient From Your Kitchen

If you've ever spilled a glass of wine, you're surely familiar with its frustrating tendency to leave a hard-to-remove stain. Whether it's a massive red wine stain on your carpet or a glass ring on your kitchen counters, these stains can be a massive headache for any homeowner. But what if you could harness that beautiful, warm color into an intentionally stained project? This surprising trick can easily turn your leftover bottles of wine into the perfect stain for all your woodworking needs, bringing a rich tone to anything you may be building.

Now, you might be wondering how wine could work as a gorgeous wood stain. The basic structure of most red wines is formed from tannins, which are responsible for the color, flavor, and texture. However, they also contribute significantly to its staining capacity, as they easily adhere to most surfaces, from carpets to your teeth. That's what makes these stains so tough to tackle when you're trying to remove them, as tannins organically seep into most finishes. When it comes to woodworking projects, these tannins soak into your wood's pores, creating a vibrant, all-natural color that lasts. It leaves behind a rich reddish brown hue that can really bring out the natural grain of your piece of wood. It is a fairly affordable solution, as you can easily utilize any leftover wine that you don't plan on drinking. Crack open a decent bottle of red and grab a few clean brushes for wood staining.

To use wine as a wood stain, start with sanded pieces of wood to ensure that your surface can completely absorb your color. If you're drilling any holes, it is best to do that once your wood has been stained and dried, as it can absorb the wine unevenly. You can either brush the wine onto your wood or thoroughly soak it in a bucket. Let your wood soak for about 10 minutes before brushing a bit of extra wine over spots to get an even coat. Lay your pieces out to let them completely dry before adding any hardware or screws.

While wine may be an enticing choice for wood staining, there are a few downsides to its practicality. Unlike traditional stains that can be brushed on to get a unique wood finish, wine can require you to soak your wood thoroughly. This can take a couple of bottles, especially if you're working on a larger project, making it less budget-friendly. However, if you don't need a drastically dark color, brushing on the wood can be a great way to get a lighter-colored stain. Even when soaking the wood, it may be hard to achieve an even finish on your wood. As you will most likely not submerge each piece, your stain may have streaks and uneven segments. If these setbacks don't deter you from using wine, it can make an excellent natural solution to any woodworking project.