When spills happen on wood floors, a quick wipe (and maybe a bit of a cleaning solution) is usually all it takes to clean up the mishap. But if left unattended, sometimes spills and other accidents can become lasting wood floor stains. Maybe a family member inadvertently left a full glass on the floor overnight, or perhaps a spill didn't get fully cleaned up. Whatever the reason, stains on wood floors can be unsightly and distracting. Before you panic over a blemish on your wood floor, take note: You might have options for removing the stain from your beautiful hardwood floors.
Depending on the type of stain and how deep it is, you might be able to easily fix the spot. Follow these steps for how to remove stains from wood floors, including tips on how to remove water marks and what kind of wood floor stain removers to use. Before you know it, your hardwood floor will look like that stain never even happened.
Laurie BlackBefore Getting Started
To remove wood floor stains, first determine what the ring or watermark looks like. Its appearance is important to help you figure out how to best address the wood floor stain. White stains, for example, indicate a type of surface-level water stain that can be easy to remove. Dark brown or black stains indicate a deeper stain that may require more work to remove. The color of the stain indicates whether it is located in the floor's waxy surface layer or has penetrated the finish into the grain of the wood.
David TsayHow to Remove White Rings and Water Marks from Wood Floors
Start by letting the stain dry for two days to see if it disappears on its own. If not, try one of these methods for removing white water rings from wood floors. In addition to these stain removal techniques, you'll also find some kits and products available specifically as water mark removers.
The method you use for removing water stains from wood will depend on whether your floor is treated with a wax or penetrating stain or if the floor has a surface finish. As the name implies, the stain or finish on surface-finished floors sits on the surface of the wood, while wax or penetrating finishes go deeper into the wood and are typically found in older homes.
What You Need
- 000 steel wool
- Wax
- Fine sandpaper
- Mineral spirits
- Wood floor cleaner (optional)
- Cloth for buffing
- Urethane finished floor cleaner
- Scrub pad
- Dry cotton cloth (optional)
- Hot iron (optional)
- Denatured alcohol (optional)
Step 1: Clean Waxed Floors
For floors finished with wax or penetrating stains, very gently rub the water stain on the wood with extra fine grade #000 steel wool ($5, Home Depot) and wax.
Step 2: Lightly Sand Stain (If Needed)
If the above method does not remove the stain, lightly sand it with fine sandpaper. Clean the sanded area with fine grade #00 steel wool ($5, Home Depot) and mineral spirits or a wood floor cleaner ($4, Home Depot). Let the floor dry, then stain, wax, and buff by hand.
Step 3: Clean Urethane-Finished Floors
For floors with a surface finish, use a cleaner made specifically for urethane finishes ($8, Home Depot). For tricky spots, scrub using a cleaner and a scrub pad made for urethane floors.
Step 4: Remove Stubborn Stains
If neither of these methods works, consider these additional ideas for how to remove water marks from wood floors. Cover the stain with a dry cotton cloth and rub with a hot iron (set to no steam) for two to three seconds. Lastly, try dampening a cloth with denatured alcohol and rubbing over the stain for just a few seconds.
Anthony Masterson Photography, Inc.How to Remove Dark Water Stains from Wood Floors
Black rings or dark water marks can be more problematic as these are generally water stains that have penetrated the finish of the floor.
What You Need
- Small brush (toothbrush)
- Bleach
Step 1: Use Bleach and a Toothbrush
To remove dark water stains from wood floors, you have two options. Dip a small brush (such as a toothbrush) into a small amount of bleach and rub it onto the stain. Do a second round after several hours and let the area rest until the next day.
Alternatively, you can strip, sand, and reseal the area if possible.
How to Get Other Stains Out of Wood Floors
Stains from non-greasy items, such as food and nail polish, should come off with these steps.
What You Need
- Kitchen soap with lye
- Hydrogen peroxide (optional)
- Ammonia
- Cotton balls or rags
Step 1: Rub with Cleaning Product
For greasy stains, like oil and butter, on wax or penetrating finished floors, rub the area with a kitchen soap that has a high lye content. You can also try soaking a cotton ball or rag with hydrogen peroxide and placing it over the stain.
Step 2: Add Ammonia
Then saturate another layer of cotton with ammonia and layer on top of the first piece of cotton. Repeat this process until the stain is gone.
Step 3: Dry and Buff
Let the spot dry, then buff by hand. Treat greasy stains on surface-finished floors using the steps above.
When to Call a Professional
When removing wood stains, always follow the general guidelines for cleaning wood floors. Go easy on the moisture and always dry thoroughly. Only use products recommended for your flooring type and finish. If it's a big stain or something stubborn, contact a flooring professional, as they can advise on how to remove stains from wood floors in a way that won't cause irreversible damage.