What are some common stains you may find on wood floors?

Having wood as your home’s flooring of choice is a great idea because it looks fantastic and is very resilient to stains and damage. That being said, this floor isn’t impervious, and there are many different types of stains that you’re very likely to deal with over the course of any given year, especially as we approach the holidays.

We’d like to help you keep your wood floors looking as great as possible, so let’s discuss some common wood floor stains and how you can treat them.

How to Get Rid of Water Stains

If you have light water stains or rings on your wood floor, these techniques should take care of the problem:

• Clothes Iron — First, you’ll want to set the iron to its lowest temperature. Next, place either a cotton cloth or t-shirt over the stain and iron it back and forth a few times. Do this until the stain is gone. An alternative is to put a hair dryer on its lowest setting and move it back and forth for around 10 minutes.
• Toothpaste — Use a cloth to rub some toothpaste into the stain, going with the wood grain. Wait for about a minute, then wipe it off. If needed, repeat the process until it’s gone. Just be careful not to rub too hard.
• Steel Wool — The best steel wool, which is indicated as #0000, will remove stains and other blemishes without any obvious scratching. Start by dabbing a small amount of lemon oil onto the stain, and then lightly brush the steel wool back and forth with the grain until the stain is gone.

How to Get Rid of Dark Stains

If you need to remove dark stains from wood, try one of these two methods:

• White Vinegar — Many people turn to white vinegar because it is a natural, safe cleaning product. All you need to do is soak a few paper towels in vinegar and lay them on top of the stain. After about 30 minutes, wipe the affected area with a damp cloth and leave it for 30 minutes or so. If that doesn’t take care of the entire stain, repeat the process but add a bit of baking soda to it.
• Hydrogen Peroxide — This is another safe, natural cleaner that can help with stains. Pour a bit onto a clean cloth, press it firmly onto the stain to allow the hydrogen peroxide to be absorbed by the wood. Leave it overnight, and then when the morning arrives, take away the cloth and wipe the stained area with a separate damp cloth. This may take several times, depending on the stain, so repeat as needed.

How to Remove Crayon Stains and Chewing Gum

If you have kids, then it’s probably inevitable that you’ll need to deal with either crayon or chewing gum stains on your wood floor. Crayon stains can be removed by placing an ink blotter onto the stain and applying a hot iron to the top. For chewing gum, put some ice into a plastic bag and press it against the gum. After a few minutes, the gum will begin to break off.

How to Remove Oil and Grease Stains

Oil and grease stains can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in the kitchen. The first method for removing these stains is to use a lye-based kitchen soap. Rub the stain with the soap, let it dry, and then hand-buff the spot.

The second method for removing oil and grease stains is to use cotton that has been saturated with hydrogen peroxide. Place it over the stain, and then saturate a second piece of cotton with ammonia and lay it on top of the first layer. Repeat the process until the stain is gone, then allow it to dry and follow up with a hand buff.

How to Get Rid of Dried Milk and Food Stains

Dried milk and food stains are some of the most common wood floor stains you’re likely to come across, but the good news is that they’re also some of the easiest ones to remove. All you need to do is rub the stains with a damp cloth, wipe the floor dry, and wax the area. We told you it was easy!

For Assistance with Common Wood Floor Stains, Contact Steambrite

While some stains can be removed with do-it-yourself methods, professional help is often needed. To learn how Steambrite can help with stains and other home cleaning needs, give our floor cleaning professionals a call at (727) 940-5364 today to schedule a free consultation for hardwood floor cleaning, carpet cleaning, and tile and grout cleaning services!