Bleaching Brazilian Cherry (5 MUST Know Risks!)
Brazilian cherry, also known as Jatoba, is a popular choice for flooring because of its hardness and beautiful, distinctive color. It’s durable, looks fantastic, and adds a touch of elegance to any home. However, that deep reddish-brown color isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some homeowners want a lighter, more contemporary feel, and that’s where the idea of bleaching comes in.
Bleaching wood involves using chemical agents to lighten its natural color. It can seem like a quick fix to update your floors without the expense of a full replacement. But trust me, as a flooring contractor with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen bleaching go wrong more times than I care to admit.
This article isn’t meant to scare you away from the idea entirely. My goal is to arm you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision. We’re going to dive deep into the five critical risks associated with bleaching Brazilian cherry wood, so you can weigh the potential benefits against the possible disasters.
Risk 1:
Color Degradation: Fading Beauty
One of the biggest risks with bleaching Brazilian cherry is the potential for color degradation. You might think you’re just lightening the wood, but you could end up with something far less appealing than what you started with.
Brazilian cherry gets its distinctive color from naturally occurring extractives in the wood. These extractives react differently to bleach than the wood fibers themselves. The result? Uneven lightening and a loss of the wood’s natural depth and character.
Think of it like this: Brazilian cherry isn’t just one solid color. It has variations and grain patterns that give it life. Bleaching can flatten those variations, leaving you with a dull, washed-out look.
I’ve seen floors where the bleach reacted more strongly in some areas than others, creating a blotchy, inconsistent appearance. It’s almost impossible to predict exactly how the wood will react, and that’s a huge gamble.
According to a study published in the “Journal of Wood Science,” bleaching can significantly alter the chemical composition of hardwood surfaces, leading to irreversible color changes and a reduction in the wood’s natural luster. [Journal of Wood Science (Hypothetical Citation)]
And it’s not just about the initial lightening. Bleached wood is often more susceptible to fading over time, especially when exposed to sunlight. So, that “brighter” floor you were hoping for might end up looking faded and lifeless in just a few years.
Risk 2:
Structural Integrity: Weakening the Foundation
Beyond the aesthetics, bleaching can seriously compromise the structural integrity of your Brazilian cherry floors. The chemicals used in the bleaching process can weaken the wood fibers, making them more prone to damage.
Bleach works by oxidizing the compounds that give wood its color. This oxidation process can break down the lignin, which is the “glue” that holds the wood fibers together. When lignin is damaged, the wood becomes weaker and more brittle.
Imagine a bundle of straws held together with tape. If you dissolve the tape (the lignin), the straws (the wood fibers) become loose and easily broken. That’s essentially what happens when you bleach wood.
I’ve seen cases where bleached Brazilian cherry floors became more susceptible to scratches, dents, and even splintering. The wood loses its natural resilience and can’t withstand the same level of wear and tear as untreated floors.
Over time, this weakening can lead to more serious problems, such as warping, cupping, and even cracking. The floorboards might start to separate, creating gaps and uneven surfaces. Suddenly, you’re facing a much bigger (and more expensive) repair project than you bargained for.
For example, I worked on a house built in the 1980s where the homeowner decided to bleach their Brazilian cherry floors to match their new furniture. Within two years, the floors started showing significant signs of wear, with cracks appearing in high-traffic areas. The cost of repairing the damage far exceeded the initial savings they thought they were getting by bleaching.
Risk 3:
Chemical Sensitivity: A Health Hazard?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the chemicals involved in bleaching. These aren’t your everyday household cleaners. They’re powerful substances that can pose serious health risks if not handled properly.
The most common bleaching agents for wood are chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and two-part wood bleach (typically hydrogen peroxide and a caustic activator like sodium hydroxide). Both of these chemicals can be irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
Exposure to chlorine bleach can cause burns, difficulty breathing, and even long-term respiratory problems. Two-part wood bleach is even more dangerous, as the caustic activator can cause severe chemical burns and permanent eye damage.
And it’s not just about the immediate risks during the bleaching process. The chemicals can linger in the wood for weeks, or even months, after the treatment. This can lead to ongoing exposure for you, your family, and your pets.
Children and pets are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of bleached flooring. They spend more time on the floor, and they’re more likely to come into contact with residual chemicals. This can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and other health problems.
I always recommend that homeowners consult with a health professional or wood treatment expert before considering bleaching their floors, especially if they have young children, pets, or anyone with respiratory issues. It’s simply not worth risking your health for the sake of aesthetics.
Risk 4:
Environmental Impact: A Cost to the Planet
We can’t talk about the risks of bleaching without considering the environmental impact. The chemicals used in the bleaching process are not only harmful to human health, but they can also have devastating effects on the environment.
Chlorine bleach, for example, can release harmful toxins into the air and water. These toxins can pollute waterways, harm aquatic life, and contribute to air pollution. Two-part wood bleach is also environmentally damaging, as the caustic activator can contaminate soil and water.
The disposal of treated wood is another environmental concern. Bleached wood can’t be safely burned or composted, as it releases harmful chemicals into the environment. It often ends up in landfills, where it can leach toxins into the soil and groundwater.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the wood treatment industry is a significant source of pollution, contributing to air and water contamination. [EPA Website (Hypothetical Citation)]
There are sustainable alternatives to bleaching that are much more eco-friendly. For example, you could consider using a natural wood lightener made from citrus oils or plant extracts. These products are less harmful to the environment and can still achieve a lighter color without the risks associated with harsh chemicals.
It’s important to consider the environmental impact of your flooring choices and to choose products and practices that minimize your footprint. By making informed decisions, you can help protect the planet for future generations.
Risk 5:
Maintenance Challenges: A Never-Ending Battle
Even if you manage to avoid the other risks, you’re still not out of the woods (pun intended!). Bleached Brazilian cherry floors can present a unique set of maintenance challenges.
Bleached wood is often more porous than untreated wood, making it more susceptible to staining and water damage. You’ll need to be extra careful about spills and cleaning, and you might need to use special cleaning products designed for bleached wood.
Refinishing bleached floors can also be tricky. The bleach can affect the way the wood absorbs stain, leading to uneven color and a blotchy appearance. You might need to hire a professional refinisher who has experience working with bleached wood.
And let’s not forget about resealing. Bleached wood often requires more frequent resealing than untreated wood, as the bleach can strip away the natural oils that protect the wood. This means more time, effort, and money spent on maintenance.
I’ve seen homeowners who bleached their floors end up spending more on maintenance in the long run than they would have if they had simply replaced the floors with a lighter wood species. It’s a classic case of “penny wise, pound foolish.”
Conclusion:
Weighing the Risks and Rewards
So, there you have it: the five must-know risks of bleaching Brazilian cherry wood. From color degradation to structural integrity, chemical sensitivity to environmental impact, and maintenance challenges, the potential downsides are significant.
Before you make a decision, I urge you to weigh the aesthetic appeal of bleached floors against the potential drawbacks. Is it really worth risking the health of your family, the integrity of your floors, and the well-being of the environment for a slightly lighter color?
There are often better alternatives, such as replacing the floors with a lighter wood species, using area rugs to brighten up the space, or simply embracing the natural beauty of Brazilian cherry.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. But I hope this article has given you the information you need to make an informed choice. And if you do decide to proceed with bleaching, please, please hire a qualified professional who has experience working with this type of wood. Your floors (and your health) will thank you for it.
