I recently read a post explaining the chemistry behind this process — how the tannin of the tea would combine with the oxidation of vinegar/steel wool mixture and provide an aging stain for new wood. I was doubtful. Since the ingredients were all on hand and economical I decided to run a test to see if it would do anything.
Brewing the mixtures
I made a small amount of tea with 4 tea bags and let them steep for a couple of hours. I got a small chunk of 0000 steel wool and dropped it in about 1/2 of apple cider vinegar. Both apple cider and white vinegar can be used — I just decided to try apple cider first. I left the lid off the jar, but the vinegar was evaporating so I sealed the jar and set both jars aside for a week or so — hence the mold you see in the tea jar. I just avoided those lumps and didn’t think they’d affect the staining or lack of. Notice the color of the popsicle stick? It’s from stirring the vinegar solution.
A few days before I had slopped both mixtures on a small piece of 2×4 expecting nothing. I walked by a couple hours later and stopped dead in my tracks saying “No way!” The smooth sides were dark brown and the rough ends were almost black. I decided it was time for a more serious test. That first test piece is in the top right corner of the rest of the pictures.
Wood before staining – 2 x 4 and pine board
Very light coat of tea applied with foam brush – can’t even see the tea
Vinegar solution applied very lightly with a foam brush (immediately after application)
After drying a couple hours
I can’t believe how much it stains. Both the tea and vinegar were barely wiped on, but the 2 x 4 in the upper left is almost black. I wanted to see if there would be a difference between just vinegar and vinegar applied over tea and there is a big difference. The tea does act with the vinegar to make it darken a lot more.
I want to make another toolbox so I may use this stuff as a test on that. Be warned about this vinegar/steel wool solution. It may just be vinegar but it’s a serious stain. I got it on a Formica clad board and it won’t come off, so if you use it show the same care you would with any stain.
Having seen your photos I’ve decided to dye my old/new kitchen wooden floor. I like your “vinegar only” final result best.
Can you tell me approximately how much vinegar and steel wool I’ll need to dye 4 x 3 meters of wood?
half gallon of vinegar with two pulled apart steel wool pads. cover and let them sit for about 3-4 days. Cut with water if it becomes too dark for your liking. Be sure to test on scrap pieces of the floor if you have any.
Thanks for posting the quick and easy recipe!
How are you guys cleaning the surface of your furniture stained with this solution? We made a dining table and finished it with polyurethane but still seems to get oil and water marks on it. Obviously a bit of an issue when eating dinner!
The pieces I have used this on for staining aren’t finished. What you stain with doesn’t matter, the oil and water marks are completely a function of the polyurethane. I would check with the manufacturer of the polyurethane and ask them — they may know why it’s happening and have a way to correct it.
I have built a patio deck for my mom that is 16 X 28 feet. Can you help me with the recipe amount to cover the deck? Thanks.
Not sure I would use this formula for exterior staining. Since decks take so much abuse from the elements I would use a protective finish so your investment in time and $$ lasts. Some other people may have used the tea and vinegar/steel wool outside, but I couldn’t find it.
If you use this formula be sure to not let the mixture sit too long. When it’s giving the color you desire strain the vinegar through a coffee filter into a clean glass container so it doesn’t continue to darken. Let me know how it works out.
Awesome!! I was looking for pictures depicting the differences between tea + vinegar and vinegar only. The ones you took were perfect!!! Thank you!
It’s always nice to hear when your information or pictures help someone — thanks for commenting!
Do you have any idea what the results would be if you scubbed the new pine with wire wool and vinegar, without letting it steep for 3 or 4 days?????
Someone had advised me to do my floor with tea, and I tried it and nothing happened, so I was obviously missing the vinegar!
I was also thinking of doing the tea/vinegar thing, but then how to ‘finish’ it?
I am thinking of using ‘Osmo’ oil/wax stuff as the ‘finish’………….what do you think???? I don’t want to varnish…..any advise/suggestions?????
You mention pine and you mention floors — what are you wanting to stain?
I haven’t used tea personally and am currently doing some testing with steel wool and vinegar that I will post about. I want an driftwood (grayish) look and am trying to see what I have to do it achieve it. I think testing on a small piece is the only way to go since stain is so hard to correct unless you’re willing to go darker.
Did you get grayish? What did you do exactly?
The vinegar and steel wool only resulted in a reddish brown on pine in my tests. I know it reacts differently on other woods.
Trying this …one week soak on vinegar and steel wool …..no change at all ….what’s up with that?
I have read there is now “steel” wool that isn’t actually steel so it won’t rust. If there was no color change after it was on the wood for 24 hours I would check the package to see if it’s really steel and you may have to get a package of the real stuff. Did the solution of vinegar and steel wool look rusty?
I put the vinegar/steel wool mixture on first, and when dried, put the tea on. Since it came out mostly brown, with gray in some areas, I then lightly sanded. The gray came through. The only problem I have is finding a finish to put over the table once finished. I tried a clear stain, and the board became the brownish color again. I guess putting a table cloth on the table every time we eat a meal would work, but sure as shootin’, someone would put a glass on the table when the tablecloth wasn’t on it and there would be a water stain. Any ideas about finishes?
I know a lot of blogs talk about putting a clear acrylic on tables or other surfaces that will get daily use and exposure to moisture. I haven’t used it yet (although I plan to) so I can’t tell you how the application and durability are. I agree with you — after all the work of finishing a piece, someone will come along and forget to use a coaster so it’s better to play it safe and have a protective finish.
Looks great! I’ve tried to do the steel wool an vinegar stain, but it’s not changing color and it’s been two days. I’m using white malt vinegar and steel wool. Any idea why it’s not working for me? Looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you!
I’ve only tried apple cider vinegar and white vinegar so I have no idea about malt vinegar. I do know there are “steel wool” pads that aren’t truly steel so they never rust in vinegar. How long did you let your vinegar/steel wool solution sit before using it? Had the solution changed to a rusty color?
I just got through staining a board with the steel wool (0000), apple cider vinegar, and black tea. I left the steel wool in the vinegar for about four days. I then stained the board with the vinegar mixture, let it dry, and then painted it with the tea. It came out beautiful. If the board comes out more brown than gray, then take a hand or electric sander with 150 grit sand paper and go over it. The gray becomes more prominent, which is the look I’m going for. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the information. Another important factor is the wood — oak will gray more than pine will and I was working with pine.
Thank you for your reply. Actually, the steel wool/vinegar is still in the jar. It’s been over three days and the steel isn’t devolving or the vinegar changing color. It could be the “steel wool” isn’t steel like you said. I’ve ordered some grade 0000 from eBay (I live in England and not sure where to find it) so hopefully it’ll work. Oh…and I’m also looking for different vinegar! Thanks again!
With apple cider vinegar and real steel wool my solution turned a dark rusty color. While it didn’t immediately change the color of the wood when applied, within 24 hours the color change was dramatic.
Mine changed to rusty color but never did get a big color change on the wood
Unless you want a mostly black piece of furniture, do not ever use it on oak. I did, and will never use this on oak
Thanks for adding that. I work primarily with pine and didn’t know oak could go almost black.
Do you know where I can find the explanation for why the color of the vinegar turns so dark ? I need it for a chemistry report for school…
Ah, come on. I did a quick search and found tons of stuff. All you need to do is use google.
Ok i put a ball of steel wool in 1/2 qt of vinegar (white) in a glass mason jar and covered it with aluminum foil. Its been 24 hrs and no change to the jar. Its still crystal clear and the steel wool is still intact… what am i doing wrong??
It could be a couple things. There are “steel wool” pads these days that aren’t actually steel. Are your pads steel? Are the pads #0000 supper fine? The finer the wool, the faster it will break down. If you are using real steel wool, then tearing it into pieces will make it break down faster.
Yes its 0000 steel wool. I unrolled it, spread it a bit then stuffed it into the dry jar. I poured the vinegar up to a little over 1/2 jar and put aluminum foil as a lid. I just now poked 3 holes in the foil…
If you mix real steel and vinegar it will create a chemical reaction that rusts the steel. Let the solution sit a few days and try it again. Hope it works for you.
Mine took 3-4 days to rust and I used the super fine steel wool.
One last question… which vinegar is the one that leaves the red results? Is it the white or the acv. Cuz i know one of them leaves a greenish finish…
I used apple cider vinegar and it definitely leaned toward a reddish stain.
Thank you!!!
Thid morning it looks gray☺
I had the same problem. Wash the steel wool first with soap and water then rinse clean. Heat the vinegar for 5 min in the microwave. Cut the steel wool into small pieces with scissors and place pieces into vinegar. Should have an immediate reaction…fizzing and bubbling. Leave off top of the jar.
GREAT!! THANKS ERIC. I WILL TRY THAT….
We have 4×4 posts on our ceiling that the prior owner either stained or painted with a redwood color – the redwood matches nothing and I’d like to change the posts to color that matches the rest of the surrounding wood or weatherize them – should I take off the redwood stain/paint first by sanding or try it without sanding – will this mixture perhaps darken the red which I don’t want…. ??
Wow – redwood stain is a tough one. My guess is the stain has to come off before you try to stain another color. Do you know what wood is under the stain? I would google how to remove redwood stain to start and maybe talk to a paint store.
Hi, I have some distressed Canadian Oregon that I m going to do our floor with and I m wondering how I would get a paler effect by doing this?
I would experiment with scraps of the wood until you get the color you want.