Black stains on hardwood floors can ruin the appearance of an otherwise beautiful hardwood floor. How can you remove these stains from your flooring, and which is the best way to go? Let’s find out.
To remove the black stain on your floor, you can use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or baking soda. If the stain is particularly tough and you cannot get it clean, you may need to have the floor sanded, but that should be a last resort.
What Causes Black Stains on Wood Floors?
Black stains on hardwood floors are often caused by grime and dirt, pet urine, or mold. In the case of grime and dirt, a lack of regular maintenance can contribute to the severity of the stain by allowing dust and dirt to buildup on your floor and give mold an opportunity to grow undisturbed. In most cases, the longer you leave the stain, the harder it will be to clean.
- Grime, dust and dirt – Left to accumulate, everyday dust and dirt can cause dark, stubborn stains that can be tough to get rid of and may damage the entire floor surface and finish of your hardwood floor. If cleaned regularly, these should wipe off easily.
- Pets – Pet urine can cause large dark stains on wood flooring if they are not cleaned in time. Try to clean pet urine up quickly and train your pets to ensure this doesn’t happen.
- Mold and moisture – A damp house may experience dark water stains on wood. You may also see spots of mold growing in these dark and damp corners. Mop up excess moisture and water and consider taking steps to decrease the humidity in your home.
- Other Stains – Other causes of dark stains on your hardwood floor include ink spots, coffee stains, blood or food stains.
How Do You Remove Black Stains from Hardwood Floors?
Here are three methods to remove dark stains from wood without sanding (plus a note on how to sand if you need to). Please note that if you have white stains, these methods may be inappropriate. If your wood has a finish on it, then some of these substances may remove that finish.
If you are concerned about damaging your hardwood floor we recommend you consult with a professional first. This can be expensive, but they will be able to help you remove stains and dark water stains without damaging an expensive floor. Proceed at your own risk!
Warning: Wash your hands with water after you finish and follow any safety advice given, especially when handling hydrogen peroxide. We recommend you wear gloves and goggles.
How to Remove Dark Stains on Wood Flooring With Baking Soda
Baking soda, like white vinegar, is a natural substance that you can use to help clean black stains from your wood floor. Mix equal parts of water and baking soda together to create a paste and then rub it over the stain using a circular motion. Wipe away once you are finished.
How to Remove Black Stains From Hardwood Floors With Hydrogen Peroxide
With its antiviral, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties and its ability to bleach wood, hydrogen peroxide is an effective cleaning solution for all types of stains, including water stains.
You will need:
- A bottle of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide
- A spray bottle
- A lint-free microfiber cleaning cloth
- A pair of rubber cleaning gloves
To remove a black stain, spray or dab 3-percent hydrogen peroxide solution only on to the areas which are stained. Check back regularly to see if the wood has bleached back to it’s normal color (this may take several hours). Remove excess with a dry cloth.
A word of warning: the bleaching effect could make your wood lighter than you want if you are not careful, particularly if you get it on unstained wood. If you bleach the wood too much, you will need to sand it and then refinish it. Always use safety precautions when you use hydrogen peroxide to remove the stain.
To get rid of larger, darker marks, you can leave a hydrogen peroxide-soaked towel over the area for a few hours and then remove it and allow the wood surface or wood floor to dry.
How to Remove Black Stains From Hardwood Floors With Vinegar
Using white vinegar is a popular method used for removing common stains – including pet urine, dirt and grime, and dark water marks – from your hardwood floor. Naturally acidic, the vinegar will lighten and remove black stains. This method uses the same white vinegar you can buy in any local store:
Mix a white vinegar and water solution (1:1) and then apply to the stain. You can either leave it on there or scrub with a cloth. Like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar is a bleaching agent, so check back regularly and do not leave for too long. you must be careful with how much you use.
Warning: the bleaching effect of vinegar could damage your floor. We’d recommend you use the baking soda method (above).
How to Remove Stains on Wood Floors By Sanding
Sanding does remove marks, but it is a lengthy process. First, apply masking tape to protect unstained wood around the stain. Next, use fine grit sandpaper or fine steel wool to sand the stain. You may need to follow this up with a bleaching solution like hydrogen peroxide. If you have bleached the stain, you may then need to stain the wood to match the rest of the floor.
How to Protect Hardwood Flooring Against Black Stains
Keep in mind that it is easier to remove a stain before it has time to permeate and seep into the wood. Prevention is always better than cure. If you have a new wood floor, or have recently removed marks from your flooring, now is the time to take steps to keep it stain-free.
We recommend you:
- Protect Your Floor – Waxes and other finishes can help protect your wood floor from both dark stains and white marks. Consult a professional if you are unsure which finish is best for your particular wood. Investment now can give your wood floor many more years of life.
- Clean Regularly – Regular cleaning can help stop dirt and grime from building up. Try to avoid using water to clean hardwood floors, since this can create marks and instead only use a cleaning product that is designed for your type of floor.
- Clean Spilled Water Immediately – Your wood floor will absorb any water left sitting on it. Always clean these spills immediately to prevent marks.
- Use Rugs Strategically – If you have an area where water is frequently spilled, consider using a rug. The rug will soak up the water and help protect the floor. However, a damp rug could still lead to black stains.
- Train Pets – Pet urine not only smells bad, but can cause bad stains on your floor. Train your pets so you don’t have to worry about this!
- Watch out with Indoor Plants – Many plant pots allow water out the bottom. If you have plant pots sitting on your floor it could be creating dark marks underneath it. Always use a pot saucer for it.
- Keep Humidity in Check – The more humid your house is, the more likely you’ll get spots of damp appearing. When your floor gets damp, you start to get staining. You may need ventilation or a dehumidifier to solve the problem.
Will Hydrogen Peroxide Damage My Hardwood Floor?
It can have a bleaching effect which aids stain removal. If left on too long, or a solution that is too strong is used, it could bleach the wood too much. We recommend you use it carefully and test on a small area first.
Can You Use Mineral Spirits to Clean Hardwood Flooring?
Mineral spirits can be used to clean white marks on hardwood floors. To do this, add some mineral spirits to a very fine steel wool and then rub gently. We have not of them being used for dark stains.
