Driftwood Art and Treasures by Tammy Lovvorn

large piece of driftwood

tools needed for cleaning your driftwood

Driftwood is smoothed over time by the water which creates unique shapes and designs. Some of the designs range from mesmerizing swirls and whorls to smooth ripples, all created by water.  The best driftwood is found upriver in coves where the water eddies.  With the water at winter levels and the cold temperatures keeping critters away, it is a great time to get outdoors and collect some driftwood!

The uses are endless! You can use them inside as wall art, centerpiece for your table or in glass vase or jars. Create something unique for your lake home. You can also drill cavities into the driftwood to make holders for tea lights or votives. Make sure you use caution when using candles with driftwood - it can be a fire hazard!


Before you use your driftwood as inside decor..clean it properly!  You’ll need a few tools for cleaning and working with driftwood:

• Dust masks 
• Brushes of different sizes and textures, including a wire brush and a toothbrush
• Sandpapers of different grits
• Soft, lint free cloths
• Murphy’s Oil Soap mixture or your favorite environmentally safe cleaner
• Final finish (beeswax, tung oil, or saddle soap..endless options..)
• Bucket
• Household bleach
• Chemical safe gloves and safety glasses

If you have a Dremel, use it! They are wonderful!

Here are the steps to cleaning driftwood:

1. Remove loose dirt and debris using stiff brushes
2. Wash the driftwood in a solution of environmentally friendly cleaner, I use Murphy’s Oil Soap. Rinse well with water.
3. If you are going to use the driftwood inside, you will need to soak it in a solution of bleach to kill critters and such! Prepare a bucket or a container of bleach solution (~ 1 to 2 cups of bleach per gallon of water) - allow the wood to soak in the mixture for several days, changing the water about every day. If it floats to the top too much, you can hold it down with a large rock.  Make sure ​you wear gloves and safety glasses when working with chemicals.
4. After soaking in the bleach solution, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before working with the wood. It may take 1 - 2 weeks.  **Important note - do not use chemically cleaned wood in aquariums.​

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bleach solution

brush for cleaning crevices

Dremel tool for removing soft wood

You are now ready to create your work of art! The natural beauty of the wood is revealed when you remove the soft wood by scrapping it gently with a scrapper, sandpaper or Dremel tool. If you lightly spray the wood with water, it will  help remove the soft wood. You will know it’s removed when you see more of the grain and the wood gets hard…don’t scrap against the grain! 

You can preserve your artwork using any method that is commonly used for wood, from oiling to waxing. If you decide to use oil, it is best to apply multiple coats of wood oil, added over time. Use appropriate sized brushes to reach all those small nooks and crannies! Just remember that  the color of the oil make change the appearance of the wood. If you buff the wood between coats, you will achieve a beautiful finish! 

So, before the lake begins to fill for the summer, walk the shoreline for unique pieces of driftwood and create your work of art! 

Send us a photo of your favorite driftwood art/decor at FanMail@LakeWedoweeLife.com. We will select a few for our Home on the Lake issue of Lake Wedowee Life magazine. 
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The pieces below are soaking in the bleach solution...check back later for the progress!