How to make driftwood

A bunch of you have commented that the link to the post I shared a while back on how to make faux driftwood doesn’t work anymore. I tried it too and it looks like the blog has turned private. So I Googled it and found this post at Craftiments that features a tutorial on how to make driftwood. I hope this works for you all you driftwood making peeps!

Creating a coastal ambiance in your home is a great way to incorporate a natural and relaxing feel. One of the best ways to achieve this is by using driftwood in your decor. Driftwood has a unique and rustic charm that is hard to replicate with any other type of material. However, finding real driftwood can be a challenge and often comes with a high price tag. Fortunately, there is a simple solution to this problem – you can create your own faux driftwood at home using a few materials and some patience.

To get started, you will need to gather the necessary materials. You will need eye protection and rubber gloves, sticks and small logs that are at least partially dry, a hammer, and other tools for distressing the wood. You will also need Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (MSDS), hot water, a container large enough to hold the wood, and a wire brush. Optional materials include an oven for drying the wood and sandpaper or a sander power tool.

The first step is to collect dry sticks and small logs that are at least partially dry. This will ensure that they are able to absorb the solution. Next, you will need to use a hammer and other tools to beat up the wood. This will give it a more natural, distressed look that resembles real driftwood.

After you have distressed the wood, fill a container with hot water and add washing soda while stirring. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and eye protection as the solution is caustic. Add washing soda until it no longer dissolves. Place your wood in the solution and let it soak for 12-24 hours. Use a rock to keep the logs submerged during this time.

Throughout the soaking period, use a wire brush to scrub off softened bark. This can take a few rounds of scrubbing depending on the amount of bark. Once the soaking period is complete, rinse your logs well with water and dry them. You can air dry them in the sun or use an oven at 250°F for an hour.

Finally, use sandpaper or a sander power tool to round out sharp edges and create a more realistic driftwood look. With these steps, you will have created your very own faux driftwood to decorate your home with.

The active ingredient in washing soda is sodium carbonate, which breaks down lignin in wood. Lignin is a component of plant cell walls that gives them strength and rigidity. By breaking it down, the bark softens and can be easily scraped off. In addition, the wood’s natural colors are released, lightening the surface. This creates a beautiful, natural-looking finish that resembles real driftwood.

By creating your own faux driftwood, you can bring the beauty of the beach into your home without the high cost or difficulty of finding the real thing. This is a simple and affordable way to add a unique and rustic charm to any room in your home. Whether you use it to make a decorative centerpiece or to add a natural touch to your mantelpiece, your faux driftwood is sure to be a conversation starter.

Shellie Wilson
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