If you love DIY, then you should be considering a pallet furniture project. After all, it is a fantastic way to save money and have some fun at the same time. All you need are some wooden pallets and basic tools, and you can build almost anything.
One thing people worry about is whether pallet wood is safe and suitable for use indoors. One of the pallets’ original use is to transport chemicals and since it is porous, it is natural to worry whether this is safe around children. In addition, homeowners worry pallets might damage luxury click vinyl tile if it is older and worn out. Here are some tips for using pallet furniture safely indoors.
Keep Away from Colors
Many people enjoy the rustic and original wood textures pallets offer. Often, they can be matched with wood flooring, and the variety of colours with subtle tonal changes at https://www.woodfloorwarehouse.co.uk/lvt-flooring, for instance, offers scope for such tastes.
However, others like to paint their pallets. If you are planning on doing this, you may think that it is quicker to choose a pallet that is already blue or another paint shade. But it is recommended that you avoid picking colored pallets. Often, this is a sign that they are used by rental companies. In other words, the pallets are their property, and you could get in trouble for having them. If you want your pallet furniture to have color, you are just going to have to paint it yourself.
Always Remove Nails
Of course, you are going to find a lot of nails in the pallet wood. This is what keeps all of the planks together. If you plan on taking apart the pallet to use the planks in a different way, you want to make sure you remove the nails first. Check all of the planks prior to using them. This is going to prevent anybody from getting hurt on a rusty nail and stopping it from destroying luxury click vinyl tile.
Avoid if It has Stains
The truth is, unless you use a pallet that has been delivered to you, you are not going to know what it was transporting. So, you have to be cautious about using a pallet indoors. For example, if you notice strange stains or an oily appearance on the pallet, it is best not to use it for furniture inside your house. This could be an indication that it has been chemically treated and it may be unsafe to use. In some cases, it will be safe to use, such as if it is cherry and oak wood. Stains can appear due to sap in the wood. But, if you are not sure, it is best to avoid it.
Ideally, you want to find pallets that have an HT stamped on the wood. This means that the pallets have been heat treated and they are safe for use indoors. Other safe stamps include KD, which stands for kiln-dried or IPPC. This is an International Plant Protection Convention pallet, which is used for shipping items around the world. This means it should not have any disease or be susceptible to invasive insects. Thus, safe for use indoors.
Wash Before Use
Again, you never know exactly where a pallet has been. So, you want to clean it up before you bring it indoors. This is going to get rid of any bacteria or dirt that is present. You can use soapy water or bleach for this task. Ensure that you rinse it with water and allow it to dry before working with it. This is going to give you peace of mind that the pallet is suitable for making furniture.