Hardwood floors come in a variety of styles and, although they generally cost a little more than other flooring types, they look fantastic. In addition, a hardwood floor will last for many years more than any other type of flooring.
However, whether you have a stunning herringbone flooring design or something simpler, the floor can become damaged. Of particular concern is when you get a dark stain that really stands out.
It is worth noting that a dark stain generally means the wood is damaged. Whatever has caused the stain has penetrated deep into the wood and is sitting there. Simply sanding the wood won’t be enough to remove the stain as it goes through the wood.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Fortunately, it is possible to remove dark stains from hardwood floors. The best part is that you only need a little time, some hydrogen peroxide, and a clean cloth.
You will need to soak your clean cloth in hydrogen peroxide for several minutes. You can then remove it from the container and dab all the dark spots and stains in your room. It is best to do this in the evening and then leave the room overnight, closing the door to ensure pets don’t walk around. Once you have done this you can inspect the stain in the morning and, if necessary repeat the process.
Stubborn stains can take several attempts. Larger stains, especially the darker ones, can be covered with a hydrogen peroxide soaked towel for 3-4 hours and then left to dry overnight. You will be surprised at how effective this approach is.
Of course, if you have treated lots of dark stains across the floor then now is a good time to sand the floor and give it a fresh coat of sealant or whatever over coating you prefer. The floor will look like new. The hydrogen peroxide will also eliminate any odor created by the stain.
Baking Soda
Another viable option to eliminate the dark stains on your hardwood floor is to use baking soda and vinegar.
You will need to mix baking soda and vinegar together to create a paste. You can then rub the paste into the stained area and leave it. The paste will take several hours to dry as it needs to absorb into the wood.
You can then wipe the area with a clean cloth. If it doesn’t eliminate the stain on the first attempt it will lighten it and you’ll need to repeat the process.
Chlorine
Hydrogen peroxide is a type of bleach, you are effectively eliminating the dark stain by bleaching the wood. You can do the same thing with chlorine. It is especially effective when used against stains caused by food, ink, and even blood.
Don’t forget, once a stain has been removed you should recoat the floor with a protective layer, this will help to ensure the stain doesn’t return and protect the floor against future issues. Of course, cleaning it regularly will also help.