Don’t you just love the look of driftwood in home decor? Each curve, each knot, and each groove has an unexpected charm with no one piece exactly like the other. If you’ve ever brought home some beautiful driftwood, but weren’t sure how to prepare it for crafting or decorating, it’s actually quite simple. With just a few common household products, you can easily clean and disinfect driftwood for all those unique craft and decor projects you’ve been dreaming up!
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SUPPLIES NEEDED
- Small brush
- Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (or similar detergent)
- Bleach
- Water
- Container or Tub
HOW TO CLEAN & DISINFECT DRIFTWOOD
STEP 1: Dry Brush Freshly-Picked Driftwood
Before doing anything to your driftwood, take a small brush and brush off any debris.
STEP 2: Super Wash Driftwood
Super washing soda is a great way to:
- Clean freshly-picked driftwood, and
- Lighten or brighten your driftwood (freshly-picked or purchased)
In a bucket of water or tub, wash your driftwood in a soaking solution of water and Super Washing Soda. Follow the solution instructions on the container (typically 1 cup per gallon).
Let soak for 12-24 hours.
This step will further remove colour (i.e. tannins) still hanging onto that driftwood. The water should be a reddish colour.
Drain the water, run each piece of driftwood under fresh water to remove any soda, and let dry outside (12-24 hours, depending on the size).
(NOTE: If you’re impatient, you can place your driftwood on a tray lined with parchment paper and dry in your oven).
I like to leave the driftwood outside to allow the sun to lighten and brighten it further.
STEP 3: Disinfect (& Brighten) with Bleach Solution
Using a bleach solution (approximately 1-2 cups per gallon of water), soak your driftwood 12-24 hours.
Drain the solution, run each piece under water to remove residue, and place outside for 12-24 hours to dry.
Leave out for a week – in a sunny spot – to further lighten and brighten.
OPTIONAL: Smooth out any jagged edges using fine-grit sandpaper.
THE RESULTS:
While this method of cleaning and disinfecting driftwood is easy, it does take time. A little patience definitely goes a long way!
BONUS TIP:
If you find that some of your driftwood continues to leach a reddish colour – i.e., the ‘tannins’ – you may want to try the following.
Using sandpaper, remove the tannins that have leached out and stuck to the surface of the driftwood, as I did to this piece.
I hope today’s tutorial removes some of the mystery surrounding how to clean and disinfect driftwood. In just a few easy steps, you’ll have some beautiful driftwood to use in any of your craft or decor projects.
Happy crafting!
70 Comments
Dawn Anderson
September 4, 2020 at 5:56 pmHi Jelica – confused. Do you recommend doing “both” steps 3 & 4? Or doing step 3 “or” 4?
-Dawn
Jelica
September 7, 2020 at 3:45 pmHi Dawn,
Doing steps 1 through 3 should be enough. I found that all but 2 or 3 of my driftwood pieces in that bunch were sufficiently brightened by the process of these 3 steps. I only recommend the optional final step of sanding if you want to remove some of the ruddy bits that might leach through on some driftwood pieces.
Hope that clarifies things 🙂
IZABELA
June 13, 2021 at 3:11 pmDZIĘKUJE ZA SUPER PRZEPIS ! :))
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 2:52 pmYou are very welcome!
Mukadder Stiffler
November 25, 2022 at 12:40 amThank you for step by step explanation. Quite enlightening.
Jelica
December 27, 2022 at 4:59 pmYou’re very welcome! Glad you found it of value 🙂
Francisco Correia de Souza
May 27, 2022 at 8:23 pmExcellent working.
Nikki
November 26, 2020 at 11:22 amThis is clear and easy to understand. Thanks 😀 I have a bunch of driftwood we collected on a walk and this is exactly what I needed.
Jelica
December 31, 2020 at 6:06 pmSo glad this was useful for you, Nikki!
Valerie
April 21, 2021 at 4:29 amThank you just the information I was looking for as I’m starting to use and recycle driftwood. Your instructions were perfect and helpful.
Jelica
May 1, 2021 at 4:17 pmSo glad you found the tutorial helpful, Valerie!
Susan Leger
November 9, 2022 at 6:55 pmHi Jessica. Thank you for the information here. I was wondering if you use any sealer on pieces after the whole cleaning and drying procedure. I want to use these for jewelry and hope they don’t split if I drill or work on them.
Jelica
February 9, 2023 at 4:32 pmHi Susan – I don’t use sealer on my pieces as they are mainly used for macrame and woven wall hangings. I would suggest using a wood sealer that does not discolour the wood (like a polycrylic sealer) and thought you might start by reading this article here: https://abutterflyhouse.com/the-best-wood-finishes-that-dont-yellow/ I hope this helps!
Laura
February 28, 2023 at 8:40 amThanks!
Cindy Cook
December 9, 2020 at 3:42 pmCan you use the oven after the bleach process? With it being winter now, it won’t dry outside
or in the sun, as we don’t get a ton.
Jelica
March 24, 2021 at 3:05 pmYes, you can definitely do this as an alternative. I would test one piece out first, to see the results and then, if you’re happy, bake the rest. Many bake their pinecones, for example, as a way to both disinfect AND prepare them for crafting. Good luck!
Natali
July 26, 2021 at 7:17 pmDali je potrebno drvca prelakirati kasnije ili premazati lanenim uljem, kao zaštitu?
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 2:50 pmEither one will work, Natali. It’s all a personal preference.
Jeff F
January 25, 2021 at 4:47 amCan you please recommend what paint or oil finish is best to retain the natural look of the bleached driftwood
Jelica
March 24, 2021 at 2:56 pmHi Jeff: I don’t use any finishes as such, but polyurethane may be an option. Be cautious, though, as it does yellow a bit over time. Here is a good article on that: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/finish-driftwood-99529.html Take care!
Blanca silvia Urquiza
March 28, 2021 at 4:57 pmHola..!! Que pasa si se dejan taninos y color en las maderas, para hacer bijou , por ejemplo…?
Luego de las intervenciones.con tela,cuentas etc, se pueden proteger o impermeabilizar con algún producto..? Cual..?GRACIAS…!
Jelica
April 14, 2021 at 10:55 amHola! Yes, you can protect the driftwood by spraying on a couple of layers of polyurethane, for example. Just be careful: this spray is a slightly ‘tan’ colour and will affect the colour of the driftwood. I would test it first. There are other spray sealers that you can look for online that may work (though I haven’t personally tried them). In fact, there is a product on the market called “Never Wet” by Rustoleum (I have yet to try it, but have seen and heard good things about it). Here are 2 links that demonstrate just how water-resistant the material is: https://www.artmolds.com/blog/water-proof-your-art.html (this one has a video demonstration) AND http://www.blueistyleblog.com/2016/07/HowToWaterproofOutdoorArt.html. If you decide to go this route, first ask the manufacturer to make sure that it does not yellow over time (which can be the case with some sealers). Rustoleum is a great brand and has a solid reputation behind it. Good luck!
Terri Whipple
April 27, 2022 at 8:04 amMinwax water based polly does not yellow. Plus the added benefits of fast dry time and soap and water clean up.😊
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 1:36 pmOh, yes, that’s true! Polycrylic clear gloss will not yellow 🙂 Thanks for the bonus tip!
Les
October 22, 2021 at 9:27 amUse policrylic , a water base poly. It won’t yellow!
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 2:22 pmHi Les! Yes, someone else mentioned this as well. Great tip!
Gina
February 25, 2021 at 3:53 pm1 to 2 cups of bleach to a gal of water seems extremely extreme. Bleach is a neuro-toxin and should be used with great care. A 1/4 cup or less should accomplish same results.
Jelica
March 24, 2021 at 2:15 pmHi Gina! Yes, great caution should be employed. I’ll leave your comment here in the list for alternative suggestions. Thanks again 🙂
Shannon
March 5, 2021 at 8:41 pmThank you, Jelica. Is it important to clean the driftwood? I like the natural look.
Jelica
March 24, 2021 at 2:13 pmHi Shannon: Good question! You can still disinfect without losing the charm of the natural look. You just want to make sure you aren’t bringing any bugs indoors. Some suggest baking as an option, much like you would with pinecones, for example. Or you can disinfect for a much shorter duration and still clean without losing the colour variation. I would experiment with one or two small pieces to see the optimal soak time 🙂
Sarah
May 17, 2021 at 10:15 pmHi there! If I bake the driftwood, what temperature should I use (in Fahrenheit) and how long should I bake them for? I like the idea of baking it as opposed to using bleach!
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 2:54 pmI completely understand! You can bake them at around 200 degrees F for about 2-4 hours.
idalina DaSilva
July 1, 2021 at 3:29 pmHi Jelica,
Thank you for sharing how to clean driftwood. I have some that need to be cleaned. I love the natural look. Best wishes and be safe.
Jelica
August 29, 2021 at 1:58 pmYou are so welcome!
Alice
July 7, 2021 at 3:15 amI was looking for a simple and “understandable” tutorial on how to do this.
Thank you! 😊
Jelica
August 29, 2021 at 1:58 pmHi Alice! So glad this tutorial was useful, informative and, above all, understandable. It makes all the difference, I know!
Jijesh Bhaskaran
July 24, 2021 at 12:39 pmHi ,
Very much useful and informative, Thank You very much.
Jijesh Bhaskaran.
Jelica
August 29, 2021 at 1:55 pmHi Jijesh! So glad you found this informative and valuable 🙂
Beth cooper
August 4, 2021 at 12:19 pmDo you know what to cure drift wood with for garden?
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 2:55 pmAlternatively, you can bake your driftwood in the oven at around 200 degrees F for 2-4 hours. This should help.
Stella M Cárdenas
October 12, 2021 at 7:44 pmHola y muchísimas gracias Jelica por pasar este dato , justamente estaba por preparar un árbol de navidad con ramas para colgar en la pared, MIL GRACIASSSS BELLA !!!!
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 2:35 pmAfter seeking google translate, I can say “de nada!” (I hope that’s correct!) You’re welcome 🙂
Roz North
November 2, 2021 at 11:17 amI am afraid to use lots of bleach as we have a septic system. Is there a way to dispose of the bleach without pouring it down the drain?
Thanks.
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 2:21 pmThe only thing I can think of is to place the driftwood in a large bucket and dispose of the diluted bleach outside. Hope this helps!
Lori
December 11, 2021 at 4:23 pmI learned so much! Thank you 😊
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 2:14 pmYou’re very welcome!
Suzi Taunton
December 26, 2021 at 11:44 pmHi! Can I not use bleach? I am allergic so I cannot use it.
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 2:14 pmAbsolutely! If you simply use the Arm & Hammer, you should be okay. The bleach simply adds a level of disinfection that really takes it one step further. That said, if you have lots of small driftwood, you can also bake the pieces in the oven (about 200 degrees F for 2-4 hours) or even boil the pieces for about 1-2 hours! Good luck!
Robin
February 5, 2022 at 11:38 pmI was gifted alotabout 2000 pieces. It has been in a garage for 12 years do I still need to clean it? How would I no if it was cleaned as it was sorted by size an length. Sum beautiful pieces I want to glue the driftwood to a piece of wood
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 2:03 pmHi Robin, It’s very likely that they are just fine after all these years. If you are concerned, then you may simply want to do step 1 in this process (cleaning with the Arm & Hammer soda).
Linda
February 24, 2022 at 12:13 pmI’m currently washing the driftwood in soda bicarbonate and wondering if they need to be dried before re soaking in the bleach solution? Or if they can go straight from one to the other (after washing off the soda residue)
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 1:56 pmYou don’t need to dry them before going onto bleaching them.
Ruthanne Secunda
March 4, 2022 at 6:31 pmCan the arm and hammer be enough ? Or do you always have to also do the bleach ? Or vice Vera? It just seems like a lot of
disinfecting especially on small pieces of wood.
Thanks
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 1:55 pmFor disinfecting purposes alone, the arm and hammer should be enough for small pieces. If you want the driftwood to be lightened a bit (with the added benefit of disinfecting), then you can go on and use the bleach. Good luck!
Susan Williams
April 4, 2022 at 5:57 pmJelica, Great tutorical! I know you’ve done your research, on hanging materials. So what kind of Twine, should I buy?
Jelica
June 12, 2022 at 1:43 pmIt will depend on the weight of your piece, but I generally purchase my twine either from a reputable craft store OR a reputable hardware store. In some cases, the hardware store will have employees who have a good sense of the strength and durability of their twine, but it really does depend! One or the other is a good bet!
Margaret
July 10, 2022 at 9:35 pmCan the wood sit out a while (week or two) before doing this? Will it hurt the wood to dry out completely and then wet again to clean/disinfectant?
Jelica
July 13, 2022 at 1:29 pmI don’t know 100%, but if you can keep it out close to the house, in the garage, or in a shaded area for the week (or two), this should prevent it from potentially cracking (as I’ve experienced with some untreated branches in the past – these were kept in the hot sun!).
Hgf71
July 23, 2022 at 1:12 amI have just completed the first soak in the soda wash and plan to move on to the bleach soak next. The water from the soda wash was very dark, should I repeat the soda wash (possibly multiple times) until the water is clear before moving on to the bleach soak?
Very helpful article!
Jelica
August 19, 2022 at 4:05 pmMy water was dark as well but I wouldn’t repeat multiple times as it’s not entirely necessary. If you soak too many times, you might release tanins that would end up darkening the pieces in spots (unless that is something you would like to see in your driftwood). So glad you found the article helpful!
Vanessa
August 23, 2022 at 8:41 pmOlá! Esse processo pode ser usado em troncos que acabaram de ser cortados ou é preciso deixar secar por alguns dias para iniciar a limpeza?
Jelica
October 10, 2022 at 5:30 pmWhile I have only applied this process to dried driftwood, I am fairly certain the process would work on freshly cut branches (as long as the bark is removed). But, I am just speculating as I have not done this with freshly cut pieces before. It might be a good idea to leave them out for a minimum of 24 hours in the sun.
Julie
September 1, 2022 at 5:42 pmCould you spray hydrogen peroxide on the wood instead of bleaching? I thought about using alcohol, but that would be drying & possibly cause the wood to crack.
Jelica
October 1, 2022 at 12:00 pmGood question, Julie. I’m not familiar with using hydrogen peroxide for this purpose, and wouldn’t be able to advise you on that specifically. One thing to consider: if your driftwood is small enough to fit in your oven, you can also bake your driftwood to disinfect. If you wish to lighten the wood, then bleaching will do double-duty (lighten and disinfect). Here is another great resource: https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Driftwood
Stephanie Neill
December 8, 2022 at 8:21 pmThanks for your actually useful hints (I find so many blogs irritating because they just treat you like you’re 14 and have not lived or have any common sense, and just tell you what you already know).
Jelica
December 27, 2022 at 4:58 pmI know what you mean, Stephanie. Happy to help add some useful content out there. Glad you found it useful. Take care!
Ann
October 3, 2023 at 9:26 amI want to make sure that there are NO bugs in my driftwood. Especially termites!! Will the Arm & Hammer method be enough or do I need to do the bleach method as well? I like the color that my wood is now and really to not want it bleached any further,
Jelica
October 14, 2023 at 3:04 pmHi Ann! I can understand your concerns! I suspect that if termites are a concern, but you wish the colours to remain as is, you might want to consider baking, boiling or spraying an insecticide on your driftwood. Here is a good article on a variety of cleaning methods (some of which speak to killing off those bugs, without the bleach): https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Driftwood
Nancy
October 16, 2023 at 4:16 pmHi Jelica, I collected some driftwood that still has some bark on it. What is the best way to remove it, and should I do that before the washing soda? Thank you!
Jelica
October 18, 2023 at 2:53 pmHi Nancy! I’ve never done this myself so I would rely on those who have. After doing a quick search online, it seems there is no agreement as people seem to have their own preferences from using a vegetable peeler (https://youtu.be/ztAO0E0nkJY?si=Iw9wB3TkKtsQ4ZMy) to allowing the driftwood to sit in an arid space for a couple of weeks to allow the bark to shrink a bit, making it easier to remove (forum: https://www.capitalcichlids.org/forums/threads/de-barking-driftwood.11211/). I honestly don’t have an opinion on that, so you’ll need to do some digging. That said, I would remove the bark before cleaning with washing soda, etc. Save that step for last. Hope this helps!