Hardwood floors give your home a more elegant look than most other types of floors. The downside is that stains may be more noticeable, making them look dull quicker.
Tackling blemishes out of hardwood floors can be a bit of a puzzle, considering the sensitive nature of wood. So, we’ll help you get different types of stains out of your hardwood floors—just follow four easy steps!
Step #1 Quick-wipe the area with a moist cloth
Before delving into the fancier methods, treat the stain by wiping it with a damp cloth. If the stain is still fresh, it won’t take you more than that. On the other hand, if the stain is already dry, this technique will help to rehydrate it.
Caution: Don’t drown the spot; too much water can make the wood puff up and warp.
Step #2. Apply the appropriate solution based on the stain
As different stains call for different fixes, figuring out which stain you are dealing with is the first step in the quest for a spotless floor. Doing so will prevent you from wasting time using methods that don’t work as well.
General stubborn stains: White vinegar
If you’re not sure about the kind of stain you’re tackling, take the vinegar route. This solution will help you deal with many stubborn stains while being gentle on your floors.
Whip up the mix by blending ½ cup of vinegar with two cups of water in a spray bottle. Spritz the target area lightly and let the magic happen for five minutes. After the countdown, scrub the spot with the coarse side of a kitchen sponge and mop up the residue with a moist cloth.
Greasy stains: Baking soda paste
This homemade blend cuts through grease without leaving a trace on your floor’s sheen—especially handy if your kitchen has hardwood floors!
Create a thick paste by mixing four parts baking soda with one part water, then spread it over the stain. Give the area a gentle scrub with a soft toothbrush, wait five minutes, scrub again, and wipe it clean with a fresh, damp cloth.
Water stains: Hydrogen peroxide
Cloudy water spots on your hardwood floors can make them look lackluster, but fear not; hydrogen peroxide is here to return the shine to your floors.
For this method to work, you’ll need 3% hydrogen peroxide. Once you get it, spritz the stained spot, wait five minutes for the magic to happen, and finally, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the stain.
Dark or soot stains: Mineral spirits
Dark stains, which are often a result of high moisture or extreme heat on wood, demand a stronger solution. Mineral spirits can deal with these stains without causing any damage to your floors.
Begin by dampening a clean cloth with mineral spirits and giving the stain a hearty wipe. Next, let the dampened cloth lounge over the stain for ten minutes. After the wait, scrub the area with a soft brush and rinse it with a water-dampened cloth to finish.
Step #3. Dry the area thoroughly
Letting your floors dry completely is a critical part of the cleaning process. However, as moisture can damage your floors if left for too long, the best thing to do is to accelerate the process. So, bring in a fan or open those windows wide to speed up the drying.
Step #4. Give a shiny look to your floors
All that brushing and wiping can leave your floors spic and span but might dim their shine. Let’s bring back the glow with this simple solution:
Mix two tablespoons of olive oil, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of warm water in a container. You can either pour a bit over the cleaned area or use it to give your entire floor a gleaming makeover.
Spread and wipe the mixture with a microfiber cloth or mop to avoid leaving behind any telltale signs.
We can help you keep your floors pristine!
Letting stains sit for too long is the main reason they’re so stubborn. So, the best way to prevent those blemishes is to clean your floors frequently. Eloise’s Cleaning Service can take over your cleaning chores (including mopping) so your entire house is stain- and grime-free.
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