Messages and Online Forum Q&A

Re: Removing Stains on Hardwood Floors

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Flooring
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 17 Mar 2001
Time: 07:29 PM

Comments

According to the National Wood Flooring Association:

"...most of the damage to a [wood] floor occurs around the tack strips that were used to hold the carpeting in place. Remove them with a stiff putty knife and a small pry bar, and then fill in the nail holes with a matching wood putty. Any small stains left from the nails can be punched down with a nailset and filled with putty. Larger stains cannot be sanded out or chemically removed; in many cases, replacing the wood is the easiest solution. Whenever you have to make repairs or replace sections of flooring, it's hard to match the patch to the existing floor. Sanding the entire floor and then using a slightly darker shade of stain helps the new floor blend in with the old..."

Alternatively, you can try a few techniques in an inconspicuous area. Try using a commercial rust remover to see if this helps. Or, make a poultice of 1 part sodium citrate crystals to six parts water mixed with equal proportions of glycerin. Glycerin helps to soften the stain. Add whiting (Calcium Carbonate - CaCO3) (also known as chalk dust, marble dust or lime) to create a paste. Put a 1/2" layer over the stained area and let sit for 2-3 days. If you can cover it with plastic to avoid premature evaporation, all the better. This technique can remove rust stains from natural materials, such as stone and wood.

However, normally wood fibers become chemically altered when stained, making it difficult to repair. This is typical of pet stains. Generally, bleaching is not recommended as it will permanently discolor the wood.

Builders Websource

Article Tools

Builders Websource® is a corporate member of ASTM International—a non-profit engineering body dedicated in part to the standardization of building materials specifications, products, systems, and test methods for improved health, safety, and reliability of residential and commercial structures.

Copyright © 1999 - 2018 Builders Websource®, a BUILDERA™ company. All rights reserved.