Bleaching
Be sure to have rubber gloves ready before bleaching.
Bleach isn’t just for your whites anymore. The antidote to wood stains, bleach your cabinets to lighten their color and brighten a dull kitchen.
Before you begin to “undress” your cabinets, make sure you’re dressed for the part. Rubber gloves are a must, and goggles are a smart precaution. Put down a drop cloth or newspaper to protect the flooring from drips. Be sure to read and follow manufacturers directions carefully, and test a scrap or out-of-the-way spot (like the inside of a cabinet door) before you tackle the entire kitchen.
To select a bleach, choose either a commercial wood bleach (available at hardware stores or home centers) or make a solution with one part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water. Household bleaches are weaker and may require several treatments. The shock-treatments used for swimming pools have a higher concentration and can up the power a bit.
Apply the mixture and let stand for several minutes (the longer it stays on, the lighter it gets). Wash the wood thoroughly with water to neutralize the bleach.
