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How to Remove Stains from Hardwood Flooring
Removing stains on hardwood flooring can be a very difficult task, especially if you don't know how. Follow along and learn how to take the simple to hard stains out of your hardwood flooring, even cat urine. Removing stains from your hardwood flooring means you'll need to know what chemicals you can use on it. Read any warnings that came with the wood. Depending what type of stain you have will determine how to remove it. Some stains are formed from mold/mildew, urine, gum, wax build up, grease stains and dark stains. Protect YourselfRemember, to put on gloves before you begin scrubbing your hardwood flooring. If any chemicals should splash on you, wash that spot immediately. Don't wait until you are done removing the stain. Many chemicals can harm your skin if they come in contact with it. Selecting Cleaning ProductsA few cleaning products you might find in your home are vinegar, dish soap, water and bleach. These items are pretty safe to use on your floor, however you must be careful when using the bleach to make sure it doesn't stain as well. Never just pour bleach on a spot and leave it to set, you may end up with a worse stain. Removing Dark StainsDark stains will require you to rub the area with steel wool and your solution. Once you've scrubbed it, apply a wet cloth with vinegar to the area to remove the stain or until it lightens the wood. This should work on it, if not try using bleach and water. Let the area dry thoroughly and then see if it needs you to sand it down. You will probably need to stain the area again to make it match the rest of the floor. Removing Mild StainsMild or mold areas can be treated by wiping the area with bleach on a rag. Make sure you have some open windows when you use this. Chewing gum can really be a nuisance on your hardwood flooring, apply a few ice cubes to it in a plastic bag. The gum should come right off once you scrape it with a flat spatula. Some people try using a knife, don't do this, it'll only scratch the wood. Cleaning Out Cat Urine!Getting cat urine off anything is hard work, it is better to catch it right away when it happens. If you can catch it immediately all you need to do is dab it up with a cloth or paper towel. Next, rinse it with warm soap water or vinegar water but make sure to dry it thoroughly. Repeat this until the stain comes up. Now that you know how to remove those stains on your hardwood flooring get down and start scrubbing. Make that floor look brand new again and remove that old mat that's been trying to hide the stain. |