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I am equal parts frugal and lazy. Or at least that’s how I see it. I don’t like to spend more if I don’t need to, and I don’t like running random errands to gather things/supplies. Especially now that I have a toddler and preschooler in tow. That means that if I can find a way to make due with the supplies that I have on hand, that’s exactly what I do.

Enter DIY wood stain.

Years ago, while pregnant with my first, I wanted to make some picture shelves for our new house. I bought brackets online, and I bought a couple of boards, but I didn’t really want to buy stain. It was stormy outside, and I didn’t really have a place to stain in the new house. I wanted to be able to stain inside, but I didn’t want fumes, and I wanted something simple and easy. I’m sure there are many people out there that think staining is super easy, but I just knew that I could make due with something in the house.

I started researching various DIY wood stain methods and eventually fell in love with the vinegar and steel wool method. I ALWAYS have vinegar on hand, due to my crunchy ways. There was also some steel wool in the garage from a previous project.

How to Create Wood Stain with Vinegar and Steel Wool

Ingredients:

• Vinegar (white or apple cider are both fine, they give slightly different colors)
• 0000 steel wool
• Jar or bucket
• Gloves
• Bowl
• Rag, washcloth, or brush
• Coffee (optional)
• Tea (optional)
• Red wine (optional)

Directions:

1. Rinse and pull apart steel wool. Place pieces in large jar or bucket.
2. Cover steel wool with vinegar type of choice. Lightly cover or close, and place in a safe space to “brew.”
3. Leave it alone for at least 24 hours. The longer you go, the darker it will become.
   NOTE: I always go at least a week, personally.
4. Once brewed, remove any steel wool still left if you don’t want it to get any darker in color.
5. Add any color helpers that you might want. I often add strongly brewed coffee, black tea, or even red wine. Some times I add all three. Mix well.

How to Use:

1. Pour some of the stain in a bowl or holder of your choice. Choose something that works well with the brush or rag you use for application.
   NOTE: I always use a rag, so I use a glass bowl, or old yogurt tub. Things that I can reach in easily, as well as clean easily.
2. Dip your rag or brush into the stain and spread all across the surface of the wood. Pay attention to corners and hard to reach spots.
3. After one coat, let sit for at least 20 minutes to dry. The color change will be minimal when first applied, but will then “develop” as it dries.
4. An additional coat can be applied to slightly darken the wood, but it won’t build a lot in color.
5. Allow to dry and then steal with beeswax if desired.

Have you tried making your own wood stain?