Hardwood floors are a visually stunning and practical investment for the interior of a home or business. Though, as durable as hardwood flooring is, it’s still crucial to maintain and care for the wood to keep it visually appealing and ensure its longevity. Water stains may seem harmless, but when they are not removed, they can create dark water stains that damage the wood and may require you to replace the entire flooring.

Milton Hardwood is here with the best advice and crucial tips to help hardwood floor owners remove those pesky dark water stains and restore your flooring.

Removing Dark Water Stains

Blackwater stains are extremely arduous to remove, as they have seeped into the hardwood over time. Although a difficult process, removing the stains from your hardwood flooring is possible. Use the following steps to do so:

Step 1

Firstly, wipe away any noticeable dirt, debris, liquid or grime on the surface using a damp cloth. Ensure you’re rubbing away at the debris softly and carefully, as wiping with pressure can cause scratches in the finish. Use No.1 steel wool to rub the specific area, blending with slight rubbing onto the remaining unstained areas. This can help to prevent further staining.

Step 2

Soak a rag in vinegar and apply the rag to the stain. Leave the rag on the stain for about five to ten minutes. Check to see if the stain is lightening; larger stains may require more vinegar.

Step 3

Soak a cloth with hydrogen peroxide and place it on the stain for about five to ten minutes to lighten the blackwater stain. If necessary, you can dilute the peroxide with water for a more powerful solution.

Step 4

Apply mineral to the water-stained areas using a ball of steel wool. Wipe away the leftover excess. Work the mineral into the hardwood or use a hardwood floor cleaning solution to continue removing the dark stain.

Step 5

Combine a solution of four parts water to one part bleach. Then, proceed to spray the solution you’ve mixed onto the hardwood surface. The bleach lightens the dark water stain. If you’ve applied the solution and are not seeing results or the stain is removed, strengthen your solution and begin to reapply to the surface.

Step 6

Once the stains have been completely removed, finish the process by protecting the surface with hardwood floor wax suitable for your specific hardwood flooring type.

Milton Hardwood has provided the GTA with incredibly durable, high-quality and visually appealing hardwood flooring grades for over 20 years! We are committed to fast and effective hardwood installation to allow you to enjoy your stunning floors sooner. We guarantee the best hardwood flooring prices in Canada to ensure you’re getting a reliable, affordable and long-lasting investment. For hardwood flooring selection in the GTA, browse our amazing products at https://miltonhardwood.com/