Most stains and finishing chemicals, especially bleach, are poisonous, flammable and corrosive. Make certain that you follow these special health and safety precautions when you work with them:

• Wear protective overalls and gloves.
• Wear a disposable mask and/or reusable. respirator to protect against dust when sanding, and toxic fumes when finishing.
• Stain in a dust-free and well-ventilated work area.
• Sheet rock should be allowed to dry for at least two days, and plaster for a week or more, depending on weather conditions.
• Keep a bucket of clean water and a sponge nearby in case your skin is exposed to bleach or caustic stains.
• Clearly mark leftover materials if they are not in their original container. Keep all stains and finishing materials in a cool, dark environment away from children and pets.
• Follow proper environmental guidelines when disposing of toxic and/or hazardous chemicals, which includes most hardwood stains.
• Consult safety equipment manufacturers or your local OSHA with any questions about the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) you need for a specific project.

For more free information about using stains and caring for hardwoods in the home, contact the Hardwood Information Center.

These important installation tips will help you minimize expansion and contraction of hardwood paneling, flooring and millwork during seasonal changes in temperature and relative humidity.

• Your customer’s house should be closed in, with all the outside windows and doors in place, before hardwood lumber, millwork or flooring are delivered.
• The temperature and relative humidity should be maintained at occupancy levels for at least five days.
• Excess moisture anywhere in the house should be allowed to evaporate.
• Sheet rock should be allowed to dry for at least two days, and plaster for a week or more, depending on weather conditions.
• When it’s delivered, the lumber, flooring or millwork should be divided into small lots and stored for at least a week in the rooms where they will be installed.
• Unprotected hardwood products should never be trucked, unloaded or stored in rain, snow or other wet conditions.
• The contractor who receives a shipment of hardwood paneling, flooring, millwork or cabinetry should pull out several sample boards and use a hand-held moisture meter to measure their moisture content. The figure should closely match the one recommended for your part of the country. If it doesn’t, the contractor should let the hardwood adjust to the site before installation.