Hardwood floors bring the beauty of your house to light with its rich texture and feel. It is the most inexpensive and versatile flooring option you could choose and sometimes things can go wrong. Over time your hardwood floors can go through a lot of wear and tear as well as a lot of staining. The stains tend to linger around even after cleaning several times and can be an eyesore. Understanding the stains on your hardwood floors can help you figure out how you can treat them. Sometimes they get damaged topically while sometimes they get stained because of moisture or just accidental ink spills or a hardening layer of dirt.
Whatever the case may be, there are always ways to counter the black stains on your hardwood floors. The following is a compilation of how to treat the black stains on your hardwood floors and restore them to their prime. The methods are perfectly formulated home remedies that can help you out in different situations so you can tackle the issue on your own. Follow the steps carefully and get back the rich look and texture of your hardwood floors.
Effective Methods To Remove Black Stains From Hardwood Floors
1. White Vinegar and Cold Water To Remove Dark Stain
When it comes to topical stubborn dirt or ink stains, you can easily rely on white vinegar. White vinegar can help remove even the worst stains because of its acidic nature which is strong enough to loosen up grit or dirt while still keeping your hardwood floors safe from corrosion. Combine this with water to get the perfect cleaning home remedy for your stained hardwood floors. Follow the steps and easily remove those stubborn black marks.
Step 1 – Applying the White Vinegar
When it comes to topical stubborn dirt or ink stains, you can easily rely on white vinegar. White vinegar can help remove even the worst stains because of its acidic nature which is strong enough to loosen up grit or dirt while still keeping your hardwood floors save from corrosion. Combine this with water to get the perfect cleaning home remedy for your stained hardwood floors. Follow the steps and easily remove those stubborn black marks.
Step 2 – Cleaning
After having it sit for a while, remove the top layer paper towel and use another dampened paper towel to wipe the area well. Use the one finger technique for the best result by pressuring the wipes with just one finger to get the most effective wipes. After wiping you will notice a significant reduction of the stain and usually it is entirely removed on first try.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide and Water Treatment- Old Reliable Method
Hydrogen peroxide is something which will be useful for a lot of cleaning processes since it has good bleaching properties. Hydrogen Peroxide gently bleaches the stained wood and can restore its former look by removing stains caused by dirt and ink. It is also effective to remove stains caused by moisture on your hardwood floors. Its acidic properties can prove to be beneficial and it does not harm the surface of the hardwood floor so you can use hydrogen peroxide worry free.
Step 1 – Application of Hydrogen Peroxide
Spray or pour the hydrogen peroxide on the affected area. Get a generous amount of hydrogen peroxide but make sure not to spray around on areas where there is no staining. Wipe away any over-spills as it can cause unwanted bleaching or lightening of the wood. Complete the application by covering the area with a paper towel and letting it sit for a good amount of time.
Step 2 – Cleaning
When it has been sitting for around an hour you may pick up the paper towel and you will notice the dark stain has already gotten lighter. Keep checking regularly until it has reached the desired color and wipe the area thoroughly with water. Dry the area using a paper towel and you’re done.
3. Sand and Sealant Finish
Sanding and sealing seems like something which professional cleaners will do to fix hardwood floors. This doesn’t mean you can’t use this technique. Sometimes the stains are etched on the floors by sharp objects and especially with the wear and tear there isn’t much you can do with chemicals that will fix this type of staining. Sanding and sealing can repair an effected area and make it like new. Before starting the procedure make sure your hardwood floor isn’t made of engineered wood which is not meant for sanding.
Step 1 – Sanding
Assess the affected area and figure out the level of sanding it needs. Usually using 120 – 600 grit sandpaper progression can fix any small scale damage and prepare it for sanding. Rub the sandpaper gently over the area and make sure the area is leveled properly. Next use a higher grit, gradually moving up to 600 grit sandpaper for a smooth finish. Once it looks all good, simply vacuum up the dust and prepare it for the finishing touch.
Step 2 – Sealing
Sealants for wood surfaces are available readily almost anywhere. You can use a simple finishing sealant and lay a few coats of sealant over the area for good measure using a microfiber roller or brush. Doing this will also level the wood if needed and will remove those etched stains on your hardwood floors.
4. Liquid Detergent and Cold Water Treatment
The classic liquid detergent and cold water treatment is another versatile method of cleaning everything, from hardwood floors all the way to carpets and upholstery. This is something you can rely on since it is made for cleaning and that’s the treatment stains need. Liquid detergent and cold water usually is targeted towards stains which are on the surface level usually ink or urine stains. It can easily be thought as a way to get the job done fast.
Step 1 – Mixing and Application
Mix liquid detergent and equal part of water in a bowl. After mixing, apply the solution on the affected area using a paper towel or microfiber cloth. Make sure to wipe thoroughly and to get the affected area properly saturated with the mixture.
Step 2 – Cleaning
For the next step, you will need to soak a paper towel or microfiber cloth in cold water and diligently wipe the affected area while applying adequate pressure. With pressure and wiping, you’ll notice the stains coming off easily and leaving behind a fresh look. Repeat the process with a clean piece of microfiber cloth in succession to get the best result. This process is deemed safe for all hardwood floors.
5. Professional 2 Cleaning Solutions for Black Stains
There might be tons of effective home remedies or DIY fixes for stains and marks on hardwood floors but the professional hardwood floor cleaning solutions take the stain removal to a new level by adding the tough of years of research and development. The listed professional products may cost a bit more than the aforementioned methods for stain removal, but they get the job done with ease and expertise. The following are the two best professional stain removal solutions money can buy.
A) Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner
The Bona hardwood floor cleaner is a staple when it comes to hardwood floors. It is the most well known treatment you can give to your hardwood flooring. The product comes specially formulated to tackle nasty stains as well as removing odor. Bona Hardwood stain remover can be used in the simplest of ways. Just apply and wipe the affected area then let it dr and do its magic once it has cleaned out the stains. It leaves behind absolutely no residue if allowed to dry and is safe for kids and pets. Bona hardwood floor cleaner is your one stop solution to almost any sort of mark or stain removal that you can trust.
B) Wood and Laminate Floor Cleaner by Black Diamond Stone works
Wood and Laminate cleaner is another reliable solution for those black stains on your hardwood floors. It is designed to tackle the toughest markings and can be used for the simplest cleanings. Easy to use and can remove markings fast with just a spray and wipe procedure. Wood and Laminate cleaner is also eco friendly and non toxic so it is safe for your children and pets. It leaves behind a spotless finish without streaking and t makes its way to our list of the recommended professional cleaning solutions.
Additional Tips
- Before choosing a method to clean, always determine which procedure will most effectively handle the stains since there are different methods to tackle different types of stains.
- Always determine the type of hardwood flooring you are using and know the dangers of using some acidic chemicals as it can cause damage to certain types of flooring or sealants.
- Act swiftly whenever there is a stain to tackle it before it settles in.
- Seek professional help if you’re not sure about how to proceed.
Conclusion
Hardwood floors being stained can irritate anyone but there are always ways to handle the situation. The mentioned methods can help you remove stains with ease depending on the depth of the damage. If you require professional solutions, the best recommended solutions can give you exactly what you’re looking for. Professional help stands out above all others since you might end up damaging the flooring if wrong methods are used. The aforementioned methods will be enough to have you covered for any spillage or staining for almost all types of hardwood floors.
