Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about pallet wood

Pallet wood is one of my all time favourite things to work with! But some risks come with it. So… is pallet wood safe to use?

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about pallet wood is inside this post, including what to look for, what to avoid, how to prep, etc.

What I’ve made with pallet wood







Enhanced pallet wood tool shelf for a workshop





Pallet wood hammer organizer



Pallet wood gate on shed

pallet TV stand with soda crate drawers on floor



pallet wood walkway – boards are deeper than most pallet wood

Pallet wood sawhorse blog office desk

pallet wood coffee table

the 2 full pallet chair – easy to make!



Toolbox paint caddy



Drill handled toolbox



Branch handled toolboxes



Workshop walls



Where I store my reclaimed wood (workshop tour)

As you can see, I love building with pallet wood! And of course, the price is always right.

Although the use of pallet wood is becoming extremely popular, using pallet wood for home projects also comes with some controversy. Is pallet wood safe? Or not?

Pallet wood is originally used to tote around possibly toxic stuff. And being that wood is porous, how can we tell if pallet wood is safe or should be avoided?

The good news is, there are some ways to lessen the chances of picking up bad wood or at the very least, choosing appropriate things to make with the wood you do find.

Here are some tips and safety information you should be armed with before carrying pallet wood home for your own DIY projects:

Let’s make sure the pallet wood you bring home IS safe!

This post contains some affiliate links so you can find everything you need.





Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about pallet wood

Consider what it carried

I am fortunate to have worked with a firetruck manufacturer that always has stacks of pallet wood on hand.

Many of the pallets have been built for the very purpose of shipping firetruck parts because of their odd sizes. Which means a lot of the wood is in new condition, and has been only used for this shipment.

So is pallet wood safe? There’s really no guarantee. But pallet wood carrying dry goods is far safer than something that was pesticide infused.Avoid: Pesticide carriers (green houses, etc) Contaminants (gas, grease, etc)

How to dismantle

While some projects can utilize the pallet as a whole, if you ever wish to harvest the pallet wood planks on their own, be prepared to break out into a sweat. Pallets are NASTY to dismantle without a doubt. Especially those with twisted nails.

I personally come across lots of loose wood as seen above from those that open crates.

But not everyone is as fortunate. There are some devices that can help you get the job done, but no matter which route you go, it will require effort:

How to dismantel a pallet:

Jigsaw or sawzall / saw just shy of the nails to harvest shorter pieces

Crowbar and hammer. Someone strong will be needed.

Make THIS tool out of woods craps! A farmer showed me how and it works amazing!





Remove the nails

Now that you’ve dismantled the pallets, make sure you remove each and every nail.

Leaving nails in boards is an accident waiting to happen. Do not store with nails intact.

I search for boards with straight or very few nails, or ones I can saw off easily.



How to remove nails:

Pound and pry

I flip the board upside down and attempt to bang the nail out as much as I can, then flip it back over and pry out the rest.



Jig saw or sawzall

Cut the wood right off the pallet just shy of the nails if you can use the planks for shorter pieced projects. So much easier!

How is it treated?

Newer regulations require pallet manufacturers in Canada and the US to treat the wood before shipping. This can be by chemicals or by heat.

The HT on the above board means it’s been heat treated, or kiln dried. This is the safer kind.

If the boards are unmarked, they may be safe, but there’s also a strong chance it’s been chemically treated, which makes them dangerous.

Give it a pass if:

the wood smells

it has an oily appearance

shows unexplained stains

appears extra heavy in weight

too many twisted nails (not worth it!)

looks suspect period

I’ve also been emailed with a story where someone got a nasty sliver, which infected them to the point of requiring hospitalization. So, just be picky. Always wear gloves when handling pallet wood and choose wisely.

Beware of Bacteria

Chemicals are one thing, but bacteria is another.

Always be safe and scrub the wood down with bleach and soapy water. Rinse well, and allow to completely dry.

But do remember, wood is porous, so there’s a chance the bacteria is embedded. Just go into this knowing NO pallet wood is 100% safe.

Never use pallet wood for:

.

food related projects

NO veggie garden fencing or near a garden compost

children’s toys

avoid indoor use where possible

Work Safe

Pallet wood requires LOTS of work, so be safe:

wear gloves to avoid nail punctures and splinters

wear safety glasses and a dust mask when sanding or sawing

store it without the nails. (dangerous!) Pry them out ASAP.



Metal rack dumpster find HERE / Workshop reveal HERE

Always ask

So are all pallets free? Or is it true some have to pay for them?

Many places of business that utilize pallet wood actually recycle them. They may use them over again or they get picked up and reimbursed for their return.

So before you help yourself to what you think may be free, this could also be viewed as theft.

Always ask for permission before helping yourself.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The warnings in this post Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about pallet wood may come across a little like a medical commercial…”Buy me because I’m awesome but you may die in the process…”

But if you heed the advice suggested in this post, you won’t have to worry about using pallet wood in your projects… as long as you select appropriate wood for appropriate projects of course.

If in doubt, pass on it and head to the lumber store instead. Spending a few bucks on new wood is far smarter than bringing contaminated wood home for free.

I LOVE PALLET WOOD!

And trucks.

For additional inspiration, visit:

Please use pallet wood at your own risk.





How to take apart pallet wood with this easy tool you can make!

How I shop for pallet wood