Slip on a respirator mask and a pair of rubber gloves so you don’t directly touch or breathe in the wood stain stripper.

The wood stain stripper won’t work as well if the wood is dirty. To be safe, wipe a small part of the wood with sudsy water first to make sure that it doesn’t damage the material. [5] X Research source

Skip this step if you don’t have anything to remove.

Don’t use a plastic container—the stripper will melt through it. [13] X Expert Source William & Shannon LatilFurniture Refinishing & Home Remodeling Specialists Expert Interview. 29 October 2021. Always use a plastic scraping tool so you don’t risk damaging the wood. [14] X Research source

To be extra thorough, wipe down the wood with a clean cloth to clear away any lingering stripper. [17] X Research source

Wipe away the sawdust with a tack cloth when you’re done. [21] X Expert Source Crystal ChadwickLicensed General Contractor Expert Interview. 16 March 2021.

Don’t rush the sanding process—a few extra minutes of sanding could make all the difference!

Vacuum up any surrounding sawdust once you’re finished cleaning the wood.