Stripping old varnish from wood can be a very unpleasant and time consuming task. Fumes, harsh chemicals causing skin irritation, and a lot of mess and scraping.
But you don’t need to use harsh chemicals to effectively remove varnish from wood to give it a new lease of life. From furniture to woodwork, there are safe and eco-friendly options to remove varnish from wood. No toxic solvents or harmful fumes required!
Here’s how to give your wood a new lease of life, naturally.
What is the Best Varnish Remover to Use?
Traditional paint and varnish strippers rely on caustic ingredients and aggressive solvents. Most of us have had painful experiences stripping wood at some point after accidentally getting paint stripper on exposed skin.
Paint strippers that use strong chemicals release VOCs which cause respiratory and eye irritation. Natural varnish removers work by gently yet effectively softening old coatings so they can be lifted away. A bit of time and patience is still required to get the job done, but the results are cleaner and more pleasant to achieve.
Chemical Free Ways to Remove Varnish
There are several ways to remove varnish without resorting to harsh chemical strippers:
Sanding and Scraping
Lightly coated flat or gently curved surfaces may not need any chemicals at all – sanding and scraping might be enough. You can use a cabinet scraper to shave off fine layers of finish without damaging the grain underneath.
Once the majority of varnish has been scraped off, you can sand the remaining finish away. Start with a medium-grit paper (around 120) and then move to finer grades for a smooth finish. You can use a sanding block to help apply consistent pressure.
Do be cautious if you are attempting to sand wood veneer. It can be very thin, making it easy to sand through to the wood underneath if you overdo it.
This method is great for tabletops, doors, and solid wood panels – not so much for intricate furniture.
Heat or Steam Stripping
Heat guns or steam strippers soften old varnish so it can be scraped away. The key is to keep the tool moving to avoid scorching the timber.
This method works well on heavy coatings but should be used with care on older joinery, as it can loosen glue joints or release old paint fumes.
Use in a ventilated space and wear a mask if you’re working on vintage finishes. Be aware that you may encounter old lead paint which needs to be carefully handled.
Eco Friendly Paint and Varnish Removers
We love an eco-friendly varnish removal option! Natural stripping formulas can dissolve or lift old paint and varnish finishes without the need for harsh chemicals or excessive heat.
Here’s our two favourite natural paint strippers, and an overview of how and why they work!
Auro Stripping Paste No. 461
Auro 461 Stripping Paste is a powerful natural option based on plant and mineral ingredients. It combines potassium lye, orange and eucalyptus oils, linseed oil soap, wheat flour and vinegar, creating a paste that clings to vertical surfaces and works deep into old coatings.
It’s particularly effective on:
- Oil-based varnishes
- Alkyd resin paints
- Natural enamels and traditional finishes
How it works: Apply a 1.5 to 3 mm layer with a brush or spatula and leave it to work for around 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the thickness of the varnish. Once softened, scrape off the residue using a stripping knife or spatula.
Because Auro 461 has an alkaline base, it’s important to neutralise the surface afterwards by washing it with clean water and a splash of vinegar. This prevents any reaction with new coatings.
Auro 461 is made from renewable raw materials and is biodegradable, but it is caustic – so always wear gloves and goggles when using it. It’s ideal for quality results where you want both performance and sustainability.
Home Strip Eco-Friendly Paint & Varnish Remover
Home Strip paint and varnish remover takes a completely different approach. It’s water-based, pH-neutral, and non-toxic, with no solvents, caustics, or fumes. Safe to use indoors – it can strip multiple layers of paint, varnish, or polyurethane from almost any surface including wood, plaster, metal, brick, even tiles.
How to use it: Apply a generous coat and leave it to work. For varnish or stains, 15–30 minutes is often enough; for thicker or tougher finishes, it can be left on for up to a couple of hours. The product doesn’t dry out quickly, but covering it with cling film can help it stay active for longer on vertical or multi-layered areas.
Once the coating bubbles or softens, simply wipe or scrape it away. There’s no harsh residue, and the stripped wood can usually be refinished immediately once dry.
Home Strip is a great choice for DIY users who want something “tough but not toxic”. It requires no special ventilation, is safe for skin contact, and produces no harmful fumes.
Natural Wood Oils, Waxes & Paints
Once your wood is clean and bare, you can protect it beautifully with natural oils, waxes, or paints:
- For a breathable, natural sheen, try Auro 126 Hard Oil or Auro 171 Hard Wax.
- For coloured finishes, opt for one of our breathable natural paints, such as Auro 160 Wood Paint or Earthborn Eggshell No. 17.
Natural finishes enhance wood while keeping your home’s air clean and healthy.
FAQs
Can I use vinegar to remove varnish?
Vinegar is pretty much ineffective against robust modern wood varnish. It might soften some very old natural varnishes, but the effort versus results is unlikely to be worthwhile.
Will natural varnish removers work on polyurethane?
Yes. Products like Home Strip can remove polyurethane and acrylic coatings, though they may need a longer dwell time.
Do I need to sand after stripping?
A light sand helps smooth the surface and prepare it for new oil or paint, but heavy sanding isn’t always necessary.
The Natural Way to Remove Varnish from Wood
Stripping varnish doesn’t have to mean breathing in toxic fumes or damaging your wood. Whether you need a strong natural formula like Auro Stripping Paste 461 or a safe, water-based remover like Home Strip, there’s a gentler, greener way to get the job done.
Explore our range of eco-friendly paint and varnish removers and natural wood paints, varnishes and oils and make your next restoration project a cleaner, healthier success.
Need advice? Contact us and one of our friendly team of natural paint experts will be delighted to help!
