How to remove stains from hardwood floors

In this post, we share our top tips for how to remove stains from hardwood floors.

Stains and marks on wood floors are inevitable. So don’t waste time trying to prevent them; with this guide, you’ll learn how to remove all sorts of common stains from wood floors quickly and effectively.

Whether you’re staring at black stains, oil stains, scuff marks, or water stains, we’ll guide you through the failsafe techniques that’ll restore the beauty of your hardwood floors in no time.

So how do you get a stain out of a wood floor? Let’s get into it.

How to remove black stains from hardwood floors

Black stains and scuff marks are a common occurrence on hardwood floors. But the good news is, they’re very easy to remove.

Follow these steps for how to remove scuff marks from wood floors:

• Mix two parts baking soda with one part warm water to create a paste
• Scrub the paste over the scuff mark or black stain in a circular motion until it disappears
• Clean the area with damp microfibre cloth to remove any residue
• Dry the area with a clean microfibre cloth or a towel

No baking soda? Make a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water instead.

Tip: a standard yellow tennis ball is another way to remove scuff marks from wood floor. Make sure it’s clean before rubbing it over the scuff mark!

How to remove water stains from wood floors

Water stains on a wood floor will either have a white tint or a darker appearance.

• Water stains with a white tint normally mean that the moisture is trapped in the wood’s finish
• Darker water stains on a hardwood floor indicate that the stain has penetrated deeper into the wood itself

Follow these steps for how to remove light water marks from wood floors:

Wood floors are normally either treated with a wax or penetrating stain that goes deeper into the wood, or a finish that sits on the surface of the wood.

To remove water stains from a wood floor treated with wax or penetrating stain:

• Wearing protective gloves, gently rub the stain with extra fine steel wool and wax
• If the stain is still visible, lightly sand the area with a fine sandpaper
• Then clean the area with fine steel wool and white spirit
• Once dry, wax and buff the area

To remove water stains from a wood floor treated with a surface finish such as polyurethane:

A polyurethane finish creates a durable, water-resistant coating on a wood floor, which makes stains easier to deal with.

• Use a soft cloth and a specialist floor cleaner for polyurethane finishes to gently buff away the water stain

For stubborn water stains, cover with a dry cotton cloth and rub with a hot iron for two to three seconds. The iron must not contain water.

Still no joy? Dampen a clean cloth with methylated spirit and iron over the stain for a few seconds.

And to remove dark water stains from wood floors?

As we mentioned earlier, darker stains tend to indicate that the water has penetrated deeper into the wood. These types of stains can be more challenging to remove.

To remove dark water stains from a wood floor:

• Wearing protective gloves and eyewear, clean the stained area with a soft cloth dampened with white spirit
• Next, gently sand the area and wipe away the dust
• Dip a toothbrush into a small amount of bleach and rub gently onto the stain in a circular motion. This aims to oxidise the stain, i.e. bleach it out
• Repeat the process a few hours later and leave it overnight
• Rinse the area with a little water
• Once the stain lightens or disappears, neutralise the area by wiping it with a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water
• Wipe the area dry and allow it to air dry
• Once completely dry, treat the area with a wood stain or wax to match the rest of the floor

Stain still visible? The great thing about hardwood floors is you can strip, sand, and reseal them to return them to pristine condition. This is sometimes the best option for older, darker water stains on wood floors.

Call in the professionals

Wooden floor restoration costs around £42 per m² for sanding and refinishing. Search our leading directory to find an experienced tradesperson in your area.

How to remove old oil stains from wood floors

Finally, let’s look at how to clean oil off wood floor.

• Wearing protective gloves and eyewear, lightly dampen a soft cloth with white spirit
• Rub the cloth firmly into the stained area in a circular motion
• Do not oversaturate the cloth as white spirit is a solvent – typically used for paint thinning
• Using a clean cloth, dampened with a little soap and water, rinse the stained area and dry it with another clean cloth
• Once the area is dry, assess whether you need to repeat the process
• When the stain has gone, buff the wood with a soft cloth and a wood polish in a circular motion

The straightforward way to find an approved tradesperson

If you cannot complete this job yourself, don’t worry, you’re in the right place.

• With 47,000 approved tradespeople in our trusted directory, Checkatrade is the place to find the help you need
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*Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in November 2021.