How to Get Rid of Stains in Your Hardwood Floors
In the showroom, hardwood floors stay looking good forever. But once you install them in your home,
invariably some dog or child will
come along and leave creative stains in the wood. What are your options? Covering the stain up with a piece of furniture? Tossing a throw rug
over it? How about we just get rid of the problem?
If you've already tried sanding, you may have discovered that it isn't always enough.
As you've doubtlessly discovered, water and other liquids can penetrate deep into the grain of wood floorboards. This can leave dark stains that
are often impossible to remove just by sanding. However, there is still hope. Try bleaching the hardwood with oxalic acid, which is available in crystal form
from paint stores and home improvement centers. Here are the steps you need to
take to bleach your stained floor:
1. First, sand the stained area to remove the existing floor
finish. Then use a disposable cup to dissolve the oxalic acid crystals in
the amount of water listed on the package. Make sure to wear rubber
gloves and eye protection when working with acid. Pour the solution
over the stain--make sure to cover only the darkened stain.
2. Let the acid solution stand for an hour. Then repeat the
application if you can still see the stain. Next wash the area with 2
tablespoons of borax dissolved into a pint of water (this will neutralize the
acid). Rinse the area with clear water and let the wood dry.
3. The last step is to sand the area smooth and apply several coats of
wood restorer. Keep applying it until the bleached area matches the finish
of the surrounding hardwood floor.
Source: Home Improvement 101
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