Accomplishing a DIY reclaimed wood project is very fulfilling. To put in all that hard work and and so see the finished results—it'southward a great feeling.

There are lots of things go into wood reclaiming and preparing it to be installed in your home. 1 of the essential parts of the process is cleaning the wood.

We dearest reclaimed wood, and we dearest helping people comprise reclaimed wood in their homes. That's why nosotros're putting together this guide to help yous clean your reclaimed woods so that it'southward ready for use in your dwelling.

Two Main Reasons to Clean Reclaimed Wood

The two reasons you'd want to ensure that your reclaimed wood is cleaned include getting the dirt off and making sure there aren't whatever pests.

No one wants to install dirty forest in their dwelling. Take you thought about the pests that might be living in that slice of wood you found? Bringing termites and other pests into your home through reclaimed woods tin crusade some pregnant issues. If y'all purchase the reclaimed wood from a dealer like MR Timbers, y'all won't take to worry about pests. Our forest goes through an extensive cleaning procedure, including de-nailing, kiln drying, and milling. You can learn more near it and run across some descriptive videos here!

Cleaning the Woods

There are a few different ways that commercial companies can assistance yous clean forest. Kiln drying and milling are the two main ways they'll be able to help you treat and prepare your reclaimed wood for apply.

Kiln Drying

Kiln drying refers to the process of "baking" reclaimed wood in a kiln-dryer to remove all moisture. Kiln drying is of import considering it dries the woods before you install it. This helps preserve information technology and keep it from deteriorating.

Additionally, kiln drying will heat the wood to a temperature that kills any insects or pests that might be living in the wood. This volition help you ensure that the forest is condom to install in your habitation.

Milling

Milling is when the wood is cut to accommodate the needs of the project for which it is being used. In some cases, the wood might be milled to remove rot or rough edges also. If you're non using all sides of the wood, yous tin have information technology milled so that those sides won't be exposed. Another reason to mill is if you lot're concerned about the weight of the wood. Milling can help you cut down excess wood in gild to save on the weight.

DIY Cleaning and Washing

Kiln drying and milling are things you'll need professional help with. But, there are quite a few ways that you can clean the wood and rid it of pests on your own! Here are some we've nerveless.

Force per unit area Washing

If yous have access to a pressure level washer, and so pressure washing your reclaimed wood is a smashing style to ensure that it is cleaned of most dirt and grime. Here are a few pointers, place the forest upwardly off the ground. Something like a sawhorse volition work bang-up. Secondly, be sure not to spray the wood too closely. If you're not conscientious, it can be like shooting fish in a barrel to launder away the forest's natural enamel and characteristics.

Garden Hose, Soap, and Bristle Brush

For those who don't have access to a pressure washer, a hose, soapy water, and a bristly brush tin can work some magic. Just spray off the forest equally best you can with the hose. Then take the soap and castor to the forest. Scrub down the boards every bit best as possible and then spray them off again. You lot should be able to remove most of the dirt in one try, merely if not, just repeat the process.

After you've finished washing the wood, exist sure to permit information technology sit out and air dry for 2 to 3 days. This helps to ensure that the wood didn't absorb also much wet.

Wire Brush and Manus Sanding

Getting a finished expect on old boards tin be a hassle mainly because one-time wood tin exist weathered and chipped or dented. A wire brush is a great way to get rid of any major imperfections. After you lot've brushed out any substantial blemishes, you lot can turn to manus sanding. You'll be able to sand the woods shine or get out it slightly rough. Either way is fine as long as you're happy with how information technology looks.

Getting Rid of Bugs

Here are some of the all-time DIY ways to become rid of bugs that are living in your wood.

Steamer

A steamer is a neat style to get rid of whatsoever insects or pests in the woods. The steamer, when practical to the wood, will rapidly estrus it and kill off anything living. This is a straightforward process, only it's not as robust as kiln drying and might miss a few things.

Borax and Water Spray

Mixing a fiddling bit of borax and h2o and throwing information technology into a spray bottle is a great way to spray the wood for bugs. It will not only kill any insects that are currently living in the wood, but it will also preclude whatever new bugs from taking refuge in your reclaimed wood. Here's an example of how to mix it!

Oven or Freezer

Another manner to go rid of bugs is by baking or freezing your forest. By placing your forest in the oven at the lowest possible setting, you'll be turning your oven into a mini kiln dryer. Freezing the wood is a bit more unsafe considering some bugs can survive farthermost cold.

Finding Reclaimed Wood

Searching for reclaimed wood on your own tin can be somewhat difficult. If you lot're lucky, y'all tin stumble upon an old barn woods gravesite. Reclaimed barn forest is extremely valuable because of the way that it'south weathered while living every bit the side of a barn.

If you lot're non able to find a place where you can collect reclaimed wood for yourself, look into places similar MR Timbers. At MR Timbers, nosotros specialize in reclaimed wood. We even have a reclaimed wood exhibit that you can visit at any time with an appointment.

Accomplish out to u.s., and we'll help y'all observe the reclaimed wood that best fits the projects that you lot're looking to accomplish! Yous tin fill out this contact form or call united states of america at 651.464.1771. Nosotros can't wait to hear from you!