This is part of why a lot of people think water-based stains are ideal for cabinets or countertops.

This doesn’t mean that water-based stains are better in heavy rain or extreme weather, though. Heavy weather will damage water-based stains faster than alternative options. Oil-based stains don’t trap water inside, but they do a better job of keeping it out in the first place. They are more susceptible to regular moisture, though.

This is the main reason water-based stains preserve the look of wood better than other options.

VOCs are found in thousands of paints, cleaning supplies, and building materials, so don’t feel terrible if you end up going with the oil-based stuff. [5] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source

With that said, water-based stains are a lot easier to clean up if you make a mess since you can just wash it away. The oil-based stuff needs to be carefully soaked up or cleaned with soap. Dry the rags and cloths you use to apply the oil-based stain by spreading them out flat on a rack or on the ground. Then, put them in the trash. [8] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source

As a note, this can cause oil-stained wood to change color over time. Since the wood isn’t as breathable, it has a lot harder of a time releasing heat and moisture.

You also don’t need to sand the wood to remove the old stain if you want to reapply it, which you do need to do to reapply water-based options.

Water-based stains will lift the grain of the wood. This is likely a drawback unless you really like the look and feel of natural wood.

With that said, stains aren’t especially pricey to start with. Expect to spend $15-30 on an oil-based stain and a little bit more on a water-based stain.

If you’re more of a form-over-function kind of person and you really don’t enjoy doing home maintenance, keep things simple and skip the water-based stains.

This will give the stain a porous, lifted grain to adhere to. If you don’t sand the wood before staining it, it may come out blotchy or uneven.

There are absolutely transparent stains out there. If you don’t want to change the color of your wood, opt for a clear stain and apply 2 layers.

There are also “seal and stain” combos out there do a good job of sealing and staining at the same time. [16] X Research source