Dixie Belle Bleach Kit Tutorial is exactly what I’m sharing today as I transform a yard sale dresser without using a drop of paint.
There’s nothing I love more than finding an old piece of furniture at a yard sale and giving it a completely new look. When I brought this dresser home, I knew I wanted to lighten the wood instead of painting it so more of its natural beauty could shine through.
I’ve used wood bleach on furniture before, but this was my first time trying the Dixie Belle Bleach Kit. In this tutorial, I’m sharing my honest review, the simple process I followed, and the results I achieved. If you’ve been wondering whether this kit is worth trying on your own furniture makeover, I hope this post helps.
One thing I love about using a bleach kit is that it can completely change the look of dark wood without covering it up with paint. Bleaching the wood allows the grain and character to remain visible while giving the piece a lighter, updated appearance. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a more natural finish that’s become so popular.
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Supplies Used In This Dixie Belle Bleach Kit Tutorial
Damp Rag
Gel Stain (American Honey)
Dixie Belle Bleach Kit Tutorial
Step 1: Sand the Dresser to Raw Wood
The first and most important step in this Dixie Belle Bleach Kit Tutorial is sanding the piece down to raw wood. The bleach kit only works on bare wood, so any existing finish needs to be removed first.
I knew this dresser’s finish would come off easily, so sanding it down wasn’t a huge project. If you’re working with a piece that has multiple layers of paint or a very stubborn finish, this step may take a little more time.
Once the entire dresser was sanded to raw wood, I wiped away all of the sanding dust with a damp cloth. Starting with a clean surface helps the bleach penetrate the wood evenly.
Step 2: Apply Part A
Using an applicator pad, I applied Part A of the Dixie Belle Bleach Kit over the entire dresser. I made sure to apply an even coat all over the dresser.
The application process is simple, but don’t rush it. An even coat will give you the most consistent results. You will notice that this will pull some of the tannins out of the wood.
Step 3: Apply Part B
After waiting about five minutes, I applied Part B directly over Part A using another applicator. Again, you will notice that this may also pull even more tannins out of the wood.
Step 4: Sand Again
Once the bleaching process was complete and the dresser had dried according to the directions, I lightly sanded the entire piece with 280-grit sandpaper.
This smooths the wood fibers that naturally rise during the bleaching process and leaves the surface ready for the finish.
Step 5: Apply the Gel Stain
If I had another Dixie Belle Bleach Kit on hand, I probably would have repeated the entire bleaching process just to see how much lighter I could get the wood.
That said, I ended up loving the color after the first application. It still had some warmth and character, so I decided to go with it.
To finish the dresser, I applied American Honey Gel Stain with an applicator pad. The gel stain added just the right amount of warmth while still allowing the natural wood grain to show through beautifully.
Step 6: Reattach the Hardware
After everything was completely dry, I reattached the original wood knobs.
I thought about changing the hardware, but I really liked how the original knobs complemented the natural wood finish.
Should You Add a Topcoat?
For this dresser, I decided not to apply a topcoat. I loved the finish as it was, and since this piece won’t see heavy daily wear, I felt comfortable leaving it without one.
If you’re refinishing a piece that will get a lot of use, you may want to add a protective topcoat for extra durability.
This Dixie Belle bleach kit tutorial was a fun reminder that you don’t always have to reach for paint to completely transform a piece of furniture. Sometimes simply lightening the wood and enhancing it with a beautiful stain is all it takes to give an old dresser an entirely new life.
I’m so happy with how this dresser turned out. The combination of bleaching the wood, sanding it smooth, and applying gel stain gave it an entirely new look without hiding the beautiful wood grain underneath. This might be a keeper.
If you’ve been thinking about trying the Dixie Belle Bleach Kit on a furniture makeover, I hope this tutorial answered some of your questions and showed you that the process isn’t nearly as intimidating as it might seem. Like any furniture project, taking your time and following each step makes all the difference.
I did a full video tutorial on this process on my YouTube channel. You can find that video by clicking HERE. Make sure to SUBSCRIBE when you are there so you don’t miss any of the videos.
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After more than twenty years of flipping furniture, I still pick up pieces whenever I can because I love the creative outlet. What started as a way to transform forgotten pieces has grown into something I now help others learn and enjoy, too.
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Bleached Wood Dresser Makeover