Remove Stains from Your Hardwood FloorTired of looking down at your hardwood floor and seeing stains that have been left behind by some accident? Removing stains from your hardwood floor is probably not as difficult as you first may think, but the process will require time. The results and saved money are worth the effort. The following seven steps will guide you through this process.
STEP 1Sand the stain away. You will want to use a vibrating-type sander, such as a palm sander. DO NOT use a belt sander. Their power will ruin your floor before you realize it. Begin with medium (100-grit) sandpaper, and end with fine (150-grit) sandpaper to smooth.
STEP 2After the stain is sanded away, vacuum the dust and wipe the area with a dampened cloth. If you’re using an oil-based satin, dampen the cloth with mineral spirits. If you’re using a latex stain, dampen the cloth with water.
STEP 3Now, find a stain that matches the rest of the floor. To do this, choose two or three cans of stain that appear to be close to your floor color and start mixing them to try and find the right color. Make sure you document the amount of stain you added to each mix for future reference. Do not mix oil-based stains with latex stains.
STEP 4Test the different mixes on a piece of sanded, unstained wood that matches the wood of your floor. While the stain is still wet, check to see if you found a match. The wet stain will allow you to see what the stain will look like when it has been coated with polyurethane.
STEP 5If the color does not match, try mixing in a lighter or darker stain.
STEP 6When you find the right color, stain the floor.
STEP 7After the stain is dry, polyurethane the floor according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Labels: Removing Stains From Hardwood Floors