Did your wood project get a little bit messy? Here’s how to get wood stain off your hands and skin!
Staining is an important part of finishing any wood project. Stain protects your wood and looks great.
Applying wood stain is easy, but it can be messy if you don’t wear gloves and work carefully.
Wood stain on your hands isn’t the end of the world, but it isn’t always super easy to clean up.
Here’s everything that you need to know about how to clean wood stain off your skin and hands!
Water-Based Wood Stain vs. Oil-Based Wood Stain
Before we start cleaning up your mess, you need to understand what type of stain you are working with. Wood stains can be wither water-based or oil based.
Water based wood stain is easy to apply and has less of an odor. It is easy to clean up with soap and water. But, it is not as durable and can get dents or scratches.
Oil based wood stain has a stronger odor, which can make it harder to apply. But, it is more durable and is generally considered weather-resistant, UV-resistant, and heat-resistant. However, it is a bit more difficult to clean up.
| Water-Based Polyurethane | Oil-Based Polyurethane | |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Less durable, prone to dents and scratches | More durable, resistant to weather, UV, and heat |
| Clean-Up | Easy cleanup with soap and water | More challenging cleanup compared to water-based |
I almost always choose water based wood stain. While it is not quite as durable, it’s totally fine for everyday wear and tear (especially with multiple coats) and is much easier to work with.
Whatever stain you work with makes a very big difference in how you are going to clean it up!
What solvents remove oil-based wood stains?
Water-based stains will clean up with dish soap and water, but oil based stains require a solvent to break it down. The best options are:
- mineral spirits (NOT mineral oil!)
- paint thinner
- denatured alcohol
- nail polish remover (with acetone)
- rubbing alcohol
Tips for Preventing Skin Contact to begin with
It sound silly to say it, but the best way to clean stain off your hands is to never get it on there in the first place!
Here are some preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of getting wood stain on your hands:
- Always wear protective gloves when staining wood.
- Use disposable gloves for quick and easy cleanup.
- Keep a rag around in case you need to do quick cleanup.
- Consider using hand creams or barrier creams before starting your project to create a protective layer on your skin.
When working with any chemical including wood stains, always work in a well-ventilated area to minimize exposure to fumes.
How to get wet wood stain off your hands
Your best course of action if you do get stain on your hands during a project is to wash it off immediately before it has the chance to dry.
Here’s how to remove wood stain from your hands while it’s still wet!
- As soon as you notice stain on your hands, go ahead and clean it off.
- Wash your hands with warm soapy water.
- Scrub gently with a sponge or soft brush.
- Rinse thoroughly and repeat until the stain is all gone.
- Put on gloves for the remainder of your project!
Removing Dried Wood Stain from Your Hands
It is slightly more challenging to remove dried wood stain from your skin.
If it’s not bothering you, you can just let it wear off over time. Or, you can scrub it off.
Some people swear by using vegetable oil, mineral spirits, or even peanut butter to clean your hands from oil-based stains.
I personally prefer to just use liquid dish soap (dawn) and a bit of elbow grease.
Here’s how to remove dried wood stain from your hands or skin!
- Rinse or soak your hands with warm to hot water to begin to soften the stain.
- Rub your hands under warm water with a pumice stone or soft brush as it softens to gently scrape it away.
- Repeat as needed.
- Wash your hands with warm soapy water to remove any remaining residue.
- Apply a moisturizing lotion because your skin is going to be tender after that!
If you have a large amount of stain or used an oil based stain, here are some alternative removal methods.
Wood Stain Removal Methods (from Least Aggressive to Most Aggressive)
Here are some ways you can try to get wood stain off your skin.
| Method | Suitable for Water-Based Stain | Suitable for Oil-Based Stain |
|---|---|---|
| Soap and Water | Effective | Often Ineffective |
| Food-Grade Oils | Effective | Effective |
| Baking Soda | Effective | Effective |
| Peanut Butter | Effective | Effective |
| White Vinegar | Effective | Effective |
| Lemon Juice | Effective | Effective |
| Makeup Remover Wipes | Effective | Effective |
| Rubbing Alcohol | Highly Effective | Highly Effective |
| Acetone | Effective | Highly Effective |
| Mineral Spirits | Effective | Highly Effective |
| Laundry Detergent + Warm Water | Effective | Often Ineffective |
Soap and Water
For water based stains, soap and water is all you need (and a little elbow grease!) You might want to use a pumice stone or brush to help you scrub stubborn stains.
We recommend Dawn or similar dish soap for this!
Laundry Detergent + Warm Water
Some people prefer to use laundry detergent over dish soap. It is an alternative to try if you have stubborn water-based stain on your hands.
Makeup Remover Wipes
Makeup wipes designed to remove waterproof makeup can be used to dissolve and remove stains. Plus, they are disposable which makes for easy clean up!
Food-Grade Oils
It seems counter-intuitive, but oil-based products like wood stain can actually be broken down (and therefore cleaned up) with other oils. Food-grade oils like olive oil or vegetable oil are the best picks.
Simply pour some oil on your hands, rub together, and then wash off with soap and water.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is actually super oily, so it can be used in lieu of an oil to clean. your hands. It’s sticky and has a strong odor, so it’s not my pick, but it is a popular option.
Baking Soda
Another option to to make a baking soda paste using baking soda and water. This paste is naturally abbrasive and becomes like a scrub for your hands and skin.
Additionally, baking soda is naturally alkaline, which can help to neutralize the pH of certain stains, especially those that might have acidic makeups. This neutralization can weaken the bond between the stain and the skin, making it easier to remove.
White Vinegar
On the other hand, acidic liquids will also help to remove wood stain. Vinegar and lemon juice are my hack for removing rust stains – and they work for wood stain on your skin, too.
These acids can break down and dissolve some of the components found in wood stains, especially water-based stains.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice will work like vinegar to break down water based stains. Check your lemon juice and be sure it’s actually the juice and not a sugary watered down version!
Rubbing Alcohol
Most importantly, remember: Rubbing alcohol is highly flammable. It should be kept away from open flames or heat sources during application.
Dilute rubbing alcohol with water to reduce its potency and decrease the risk of skin irritation. Use a cloth or cotton ball soaked in the diluted rubbing alcohol and gently dab the stained area.
Be sure you work in a well ventilated space while using rubbing alcohol to avoid inhaling its fumes.
Acetone
You can also use acetone (like nail polish remover) to clean stubborn stain off your hand. Just know that it can be very irritating to your skin and definitely work in a well ventilated space.
Pour a little acetone on a wet rag and use that to scrub at the stains.
Mineral Spirits
Mineral spirits is a natural solvent that is derived from petroleum and commonly used in paint thinners. So, it’s a strong option for removing stuck on wood stains – but its very strong and very flammable. Use extreme caution when using it.
Safety Measures
Be very careful when using any chemical, especially those that might be flammable or irritating.
Wash your skin thoroughly after applying any chemicals and apply lotion if the skin is raw.
And, seriously now, wear gloves next time!
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Hello, I’m Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I’ve transformed three homes and now I’m dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let’s turn your house into a home together!