The secret to a durable and all-time clean hardwood floor is regular cleaning and daily maintenance. In most cases, it’s advisable to deal with spillages as soon as possible. Stains with age can be tough to deal with usually depending on how deep they’ve penetrated. Black stains, on the other hand, are even tougher to deal with as there’s a chance that the underneath wood has been affected. Here are a few tips on how to remove black stains from hardwood floors.
How to Remove Black Stains from Hardwood Floors
This article acts as a guide on how to remove black stains from hardwood floors — a type of flooring that you might not want to have in your kitchen or bathrooms.
Pet Stains
When dealing with pet stains, it’
s always easier to deal with the issue right away. However, when the stain is in a hidden area, the mess can penetrate the wood resulting in a black stain that can be difficult to remove. While there are commercial products you can use to remove pet stains from your floor, there are also home remedies that can help to remove black pet stains.
Hydrogen peroxide, for example, is suitable for getting rid of dark stains and the lingering smell of pet messes on hardwood floors. Soak a piece of cloth in hydrogen peroxide and place it over the stain for about eight hours during the day. You can repeat the process for longer if the stain proves to be resistant. Bear in mind that hydrogen peroxide may bleach a section of the floor so you may have to do some sanding and refinishing.
While you’re maintaining your floors from pet stains, it’s also important to prevent it from scratches.
Wood Bleach Products for Black Stains
Using wood bleach is suitable for stains that are too stubborn to be removed by home remedies. These products are designed to lighten wood, and as a result, remove black stains. A wood bleach works best if you sand the floor or strip it of it’s finishing to allow the bleach to penetrate well. While sanding, be careful to avoid getting into the wood by using fine-grit sandpaper. After bleaching the floor, you’ll have to refinish and seal the surface properly.
Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before using any bleaching agent on your floor. Also, wear protective gloves to avoid direct contact with the bleach.
Wood Floor Sanding and Refinishing
Some stains won’t just come off regardless of the product you use. This is usually the case when dealing with paints and well-established molds. This method, however, only works for stains that have penetrated the finish but haven’t penetrated deep into the wood.
Avoid getting too deep into the wood by using fine-grit sandpaper. Once you’ve removed the stain completely, you can go ahead to refinish and seal the wood.
Bottom Line
Getting rid of black stains can be a tough challenge. Always try to deal with any mess or spillage on your floor as soon as you can whether you’re using home remedies or reaching out to a professional. While some stains may force you to replace a section or the entire floor, these tips on how to remove black stains from hardwood floors can save your investment on your unique flooring.