DIY under $10: aging wood

Raw wood materials are typically cheaper to purchase because they haven’t been finished yet. However, raw wood can easily lack the warmth and interest that comes with aged wood.

To get the look of wood that has be around for a while, but pay the price of raw wood, use this simple method to age your raw wood.

Plus, with it just costing $6.16, you will stay under budget with this item.

You will need

Items I purchased:

• Steel wool — $4.17 at Walmart

• Raw wood frame or mirror — $1.99 at Goodwill

Items I already had:

• Mason jar

• White vinegar

• Coffee grounds

• Paper towels

• Disposable gloves

Directions

1. Take one pad of steel wool and place it inside the mason jar. Add ¼ cup of coffee grounds and fill the jar with enough vinegar to cover the steel wool. Let this mixture sit for 24 hours. Shake it up a few times throughout the 24-hour period.

2. After the steel wool is soaked, place your raw wood frame on some paper towels. Put on a pair of disposable gloves and then remove the steel wool and scrub the wood with the steel wool.

3. Let this sit for about 30 minutes and go over it again with the steel wool. Continue to repeat this step until you are happy with the color of the wood.

4. For more texture and depth, dunk your steel wool into the vinegar mixture and dab it around the wood. Let sit. This will allow the coffee grounds give variations in the color and make the wood look not so uniformed.

5. Let everything dry completely and dust off any coffee grounds that may still be on your frame.

6. Hang up and enjoy.

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