Hardwood flooring is a coveted flooring option for many homeowners. With wood planks costing up to $25 per square foot in your home, it's important to keep up with your hardwood floor maintenance as repairs or replacement can become very very expensive. Today, we'll discuss DIY-friendly tips and tricks on how to get stains out of hardwood floors. With National Floors Direct, removing stains from hardwood floors doesn't have to be an expensive venture.
Save hundreds of dollars in wood flooring services with our guide on how to remove stains from hardwood floors.
How to Get Stains Out of Wood Floors
It's Important to ACT FAST!
In the fight in removing stains from hardwood floors, the most important thing you can do is to act quickly. As soon as you notice a spill, you should clean it up to make the stain removal process easier.
Many people don't realize that wood flooring is porous. This means that it is easy for liquids to seep into the wood grain and get absorbed, which makes it difficult to remove stains. The longer you leave a stain on your wood floors, the harder it will be to remove.
The most important advice we an give on how to get stains out of wood floors is to act quickly as soon as you notice the stain.
Identify the Type of Stain
The next step on how to remove stains from hardwood floors is to identify the type of stain. Different materials have different properties, so identifying the type of stain can help you find the best way to remove it.
For example, if you have stains from a greasy item, like oil, you should use a natural degreaser to help you remove the stain. If you've spilled wine or a colored beverage, you may need to take more action.
Avoid Abrasive Scrubbers
When cleaning stains on your hardwood flooring, you need to avoid abrasive scrubbers, like scouring pads or steel wool. While it may be tempting to scrub a stain with something abrasive, this can actually ruin the finish of your flooring.
This is because it will act like sandpaper and start to remove the top coat and finish on your wood floors.
Instead, it is best to use a soft cloth or sponge when treating your hardwood stains.
What to Use When Removing Stains from Hardwood Floors
Use Detergents
Many people think that you need to invest in expensive hardwood floor cleaners to remove stains. However, there are many household cleaners that you can use to remove most stains from your hardwood floors!
Before you buy any expensive stain removers, you should try using detergents in your home.
Mixing the detergent with cold water works well for ink spills and urines and can quickly remove a stain from wood floor. Because detergents are so gentle, you can feel confident that they will not ruin the finishing of your floor. Plus, it is a safe alternative that doesn't have many harsh chemicals.
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is something you can use for many different types of household cleaning and beauty hacks. It is a great option to remove dye stains, especially when combined with vinegar.
Simply make a mixture of baking soda and vinegar and spread it over the stain. Then, use a rag or a sponge to rub at the stain until it starts to fade.
Once the stain is completely gone, you can wipe the residue off with a wet cloth.
Apply Hydrogen Peroxide
Another common trick you can use to get stains out of your hardwood floors is to apply hydrogen peroxide to the area. This is especially helpful for dark, stubborn stains, like wine.
Hydrogen peroxide is able to pull the stain out of your wood grain. Plus, the acidic properties of hydrogen peroxide help it remove even the toughest stains!
To remove stains with hydrogen peroxide, you should start by soaking a rag in the peroxide. Then, place it on the area with the stains and leave it for several hours. Once the stain is removed, use a clean cloth to get rid of any excess hydrogen peroxide from your floor.
Try Vinegar
White vinegar is a commonly used product for natural cleaning. Because it is acidic, it will remove dark marks and stains from hardwood floors. Still, you should dilute the vinegar with water before applying it to your flooring!
Simply soak a rag in the mixture and let it soak on the stain for a while before wiping the stain away.
Prioritize Routine Cleaning
It is also important to realize that the best option for stains on hardwood floors is prevention. Prioritizing routine cleaning can help you keep your floors in good shape while preventing unnecessary staining.
As was mentioned before, you should clean up spills on your floor as quickly as possible. This will prevent the liquid from getting absorbed into your wood grain.
Plus, routine cleaning will ensure that your spills and messes are cleaned up as quickly as possible. You should try to make it a habit to wipe up your floors at the end of each day, especially if you have messy children or pets.
When in Doubt, Sand & Refinish!
Finally, if the stain is bad enough, it may require you to sand and refinish your hardwood flooring. This can not only help you remove stains, but it can also remove other scratches if the damage is shallow.
With this method, you can make your flooring look brand new! Plus, you can simply refinish the boards that have damage, rather than the entire floor.
The only drawback with this stain removal tip is that your refinished floorboards may look shinier and newer than the other boards surrounding them until they get worn out and blend in.
Learn More About How to Get Stains Out of Wood Floors with National Floors Direct
Although hardwood floors are durable, it can still be easy for them to get stained over time. Following these tips on how to remove stains from hardwood floors can help you save hundreds and thousands of dollars as well as extend the life of your wood flooring. Whether you already have wood floor or you are looking to purchase hardwood flooring for your home, National Floors Direct has you covered!
We specialize in in-stock flooring as well as flooring installation. We know the ins and outs of each type of flooring and offer a wide variety of FREE Flooring Services including a low price guarantee**!
Contact us today to learn more about our services and to get a free estimate.
