How to get stains out of hardwood floors.
If you’re looking for a great way to spruce up the appearance of your home, few things are better than the installation of hardwood floors. Like all flooring, however, stains on hardwood floors are unsightly and put a bit of strain on why you chose them in the first place.
As you might expect, there are surefire ways to remove stains from wood floors, depending on what type of stain it is. Today, we’re going to go over some simple methods that you can use, along with a few other details that will keep the flooring looking great between professional cleanings.
Prior to Removing Stains on Hardwood Floors
Stains on hardwood floors can be caused by a wide variety of substances such as beverages (yes… water, too), food, ink, mold, pet urine, pet feces, and pretty much anything else you can imagine. Depending on what type of substance you’re dealing with, the stained area will be either darker or lighter in appearance. You also need to check the condition of the wood, because if it hasn’t been properly sealed or is in poor condition, stain removal may do more harm than good.
Removing Dark Stains on Hardwood Floors
Dark stains on hardwood floors are typically very noticeable and can severely alter its beautiful appearance. These stains can be from water, ink, blood, rust, etc. Here are a few tips to help you properly remove these types of stains:
Use Bleach Carefully
Keep in mind that if you use an excessive amount of bleach, you could wind up damaging the hardwood floor. Start with household bleach, which is effective in removing stains from food, blood, and ink. Upgrade to a mid-strength oxalic acid bleach for rust, black water spots, and other types of discoloration. If these two don’t work well enough, pick up Clorox Disinfecting Bleach, which is the strongest you can find.
Prepare the Wood
Begin by cleaning the area where the stain is located. To treat the stain, you’ll need to apply the bleach to bare wood. You can either use a stripping product to remove the finish or lightly sand the affected area. For sanding, use ample pressure to remove the finish, but not so much that you sand deep into the wood itself.
Remove the Stain
First off, be sure to follow the instructions on the bleach’s label. Pour some of the bleach into a bowl and set it on a towel that will catch any spillage. Next, use an old toothbrush to rub the bleach into the stained wood. Let it set for a few days and check to see if the stain is gone. If not, repeat the process. Once the stain has been removed, refinish and seal the wood.
Removing Water Stains and Rings on Hardwood Floors
Light water stains and rings on hardwood floors may not be quite as noticeable, but they can still be unattractive. This is typically caused when the wood floor has been exposed to moisture.
Here are a few simple removal tips:
Allow the Damaged Area to Dry
White spots and rings will often disappear after a few days, so don’t be too hasty when it comes to acting on a new stain. Allow the area to dry on its own and check it in a day or two. Once the wood dries, the stain may be gone. If not, then it’s time to apply a watermark product.
Urethane Smooth Finish
If the floor has a urethane smooth finish, you can pick up a watermark product that indicates use on this type of finish. For tough spots, you may need to use a scrub pad to sufficiently remove the stain.
Penetrating Stain or Wax Finish
For either of these scenarios, start with a fine steel wool pad and wax. If that doesn’t do the trick, use a bit of fine sandpaper to strip away some of the finish. Then, use the steel wool pad again, but this time with either a wood floor cleaning product or mineral spirits.
Hot Iron and Alcohol Methods
There are two other stain removal methods you can try. The first is with the use of a hot iron. Start by covering the stain with a clean, dry cloth. Place the iron (no steam setting) over the cloth for four or five seconds. For the other method, use a small amount of denatured alcohol, then wipe it dry after a few seconds.
Contact Maid Impressions for Removing Stains on Hardwood Floors
These are the most common types of stains on hardwood floors. The professional cleaners at Maid Impressions Cleaning Services can help you with these and more unique substances as requested. Our team performs house cleaning in Clearwater, Dunedin, and Palm Harbor. If you would like to request a quote or have any questions, give us a call at (727) 222-6019 today.
