How To Remove Dark Stains From Hardwood Floors Easily 2024

“How to remove dark stains from hardwood floors” is widely discussed on many forums about floor cleaning. Therefore, I will present all the remarkable methods to answer this exciting topic.

In addition to providing exceptional options for removing dark stains from hardwood floors, the article also gives you tips for choosing the proper methods for each dissimilar black stains case. Therefore, please read the whole article.

Popular Origins Of The Black Stains On Hardwood Floors

It is sad to discover dark stains on the surface of your hardwood floor. These stains cause the floor to change color and reduce the aesthetics of your hardwood floor. So, where do these black marks come from? Let’s explore together!

• Blood, pet urine, ink, food spillage, water spills: These are common and prominent causes of black stains on hardwood floors. When you detect them, you should clean them immediately because they will penetrate the floor when left for a long time.
• Improper cleaning and maintenance: This often happens when you do not clean the hardwood floor thoroughly and leave cleaning products that will seep into the floor. Improper use of steam mop also causes hardwood floors to appear black stains.

Note: To prevent this, you should not clean a hardwood floor when it is not sealed. Use a vacuum cleaner, dry mop, or broom to clean the floor.

• Mold: Moisture in the air or residue moisture when you do not clean hardwood floors carefully will create a favorable environment for mold growth. Mildew will cause dark stains on hardwood floors.
• Dirt and water leaks: They are the cause of accumulation day by day. The dirt that is not cleaned will cause your floors to appear black. Water leaking from the ceiling or pipes in the house will seep into the wood floor and cause darkening.
• Presence of iron stains: These stains are pretty minor, and you can see them on the surface of the floor when iron, water, and wood tannins react chemically. This is the result of abrasive minerals left on hardwood floors.
• Discoloration of hardwood floor due to tannic acid: This is a weak acid of the polyphenol group. It is found in wood to prevent bacteria. When the amount of tannic acid in the wood is too high, it will cause the wood floor to turn dark.
• Hardwood floors appear black when stacked before being installed into the floor. These black marks are pretty tricky to get rid of by conventional methods.
• Chemical stains on hardwood floors are often derived from the chemical reaction of the wood and household products, such as oil, acetone, milk, acetic acid, and chlorine.
• Stain on hardwood floors can come from your builder. The use of products that are not suitable for wood or sanding and polishing improperly can also cause discoloration of the wood.

It Is Time To Say Goodbye To Dark Stains On Hardwood Floors

You will be happy to know that you do not have to spend a lot of effort and money to say goodbye to heavy stains on wood floors. It is time to own a beautiful, shiny, and clean hardwood floor.

Cleaning The Areas Before Removing

Before you begin to discard black stains, you need to clean the hardwood floor to get rid of dust and dirt on the floor surface. This makes it easier and more effective to discard dark stains.

Preparation

• Vacuum cleaner
• Damp cloth
• Steel wool
• Mineral spirit
• Lemon oil (optional)

How you Do it

Step 1: Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust on hardwood floor surfaces.

Step 2: Use a damp cloth to clean the floor. You should wipe gently to avoid scratching the floor.

Step 3: Dip steel wool into the mineral spirit.

Step 4: Rub onto dark stain areas. You should not use too much force because the floor can be scratched and damaged. It can destroy the wax and finish layer of the floor.

Note: If you do not have mineral spirit, you can use lemon oil instead. Moreover, you should remember not to use too much lemon oil since your floor can be scratched.

Choose The Perfect Method To Remove Black Stains

Once you have a clean surface, you will first apply strong measures to remove stubborn stains on hardwood floors. The options that I am about to provide below will help you choose freely.

Method 1: Remove Black Marks With Vinegar And Warm/Cold Water

White vinegar is a preferred choice of many homeowners when cleaning hardwood floors. It will help disinfect and remove odors from the floors thanks to an acid concentration of 5 to 8 percent. Therefore, stubborn dark marks will be entirely removed with vinegar.

Preparation

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup warm water
• A bucket
• Clean cloth

How you do it

Step 1: Combine water and white vinegar into a bucket.

Step 2: Dip the clean cloth in the cleaning solution with white vinegar.

Step 3: Rub gently on black spots and stop when you can no longer detect them.

Step 4: Use a dry cloth to dry hardwood floors.

Method 2: Get Rid Of Dark Spots By Using Baking Soda

Once you have used vinegar, you should not overlook its perfect counterpart, baking soda. It will do its best to remove stubborn dirt when combined with vinegar.

Preparation

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• A bowl
• Microfiber cloth

How you do it

Step 1: Pour vinegar into a bowl and add baking soda.

Step 2: Stir well to form a thick paste to remove black marks.

Step 3: Put the mixture of baking soda and vinegar just mixed on the surface of the floor with black spots.

Step 4: Wait until the paste is dehydrated.

Step 5: Remove all the paste by wiping it with a microfiber cloth. You will not see dark marks anymore.

Method 3: The Mixture Of Vinegar And Essential Oils (Grapefruit Or Lemon Oils)

Using essential oils is an effective way to remove black spots on the hardwood floor surface. You can use grapefruit or other essential oils and combine them with vinegar. This combination also brings aroma to the floor.

Preparation

• 2 cups warm distilled water
• ¼ cup vinegar
• 20 drops essential oil
• A bowl
• Spray bottle
• Microfiber mop
• Soft cloth (optional)

How you do it

Step 1: Place warm distilled water in a bowl and pour vinegar into it along with the essential oil.

Step 2: Stir evenly to make a cleaning solution.

Step 3: Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.

Step 4: Spray cleaning solution on dark stains.

Step 5: Mop the floor with a microfiber mop or soft cloth to say goodbye to stains.

Step 6: Use a dry cloth to clean the floor or wait for it to dry before stepping on it.

Method 4: Get Rid Of Stains By Applying Hydrogen Peroxide

If you have black stains on wood floors, you can use hydrogen peroxide without worrying about damaging the floor. It will gently remove stained wood floors to bring back their original color and shine.

You should use it carefully to ensure the safety of your children, floors, and pets. Hydrogen peroxide has anti-bacterial and anti-moldy properties.

This grade is suitable for use on stains caused by moisture, dirt, and ink. Its acidic features do not affect the surface quality of wood flooring.

Preparation

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Cotton cloth

How you do it

Step 1: Dip a cotton cloth in hydrogen peroxide.

Step 2: Place the cloth on the surface of the floor that has colored stains.

Step 3: Leave overnight or more than 8 hours.

Step 4: Check the black stain area, and you will see it fade away. You will continue to do the above process and wait longer if the stain has not been completely removed.

Step 5: Use water to rinse off the hydrogen peroxide when the floor becomes clean.

Step 6: Dry the floor by using a paper towel.

Note: After cleaning the floor with hydrogen peroxide, you should sand, refinish, wax, and buff the floor.

You should not apply hydrogen peroxide on the hardwood floor surface that does not have stains.

Learn the way to remove pet urine stains from hardwood floors with hydrogen peroxide.

Method 5: Spotless Wood Floors With Enzymatic Cleaner

Stains on wood floors caused by pets will completely disappear with an enzymatic cleaner. You should read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when using this option. Also, remember not to use cleaners that contain ammonia.

Preparation

• Baking soda
• Vacuum cleaner
• Enzyme cleaner
• Clean cloth

How you do it

Step 1: Before using an enzymatic cleaner, you should sprinkle a layer of baking soda on top of the stains.

Step 2: Wait for a few hours or overnight.

Step 3: Remove all baking soda with a vacuum cleaner.

Step 4: Apply an enzymatic cleaner to the stains and wipe it with a cloth. You will see stains and odors disappear entirely.

Method 6: It Is Good To Use Mineral Spirits

Treating dark stains on wood floors has become a lot easier with the help of mineral spirits. There are many options you can use for this fantastic cleaning option.

Preparation

• Mineral spirits
• Soft cloth
• Toothbrush
• Mild wood floor soap
• Sponge
• Gloves

How you do it

Option 1: Clean with only mineral spirits

Step 1: Wear gloves before using mineral spirits because they are pretty toxic.

Step 2: Dip a clean cloth or toothbrush in mineral spirits.

Step 3: Rub the stained area on the hardwood floor. When using a cloth, you should scrub until you can no longer see any residue on the cloth. For a toothbrush, you should not scrub too hard to avoid scratching the floor.

Step 4: Rinse the floor with water and dry the floor to remove mineral spirits.

Option 2: The mixture of mineral spirits and mild wood floor soap.

Step 1: Combine mineral spirits and mild soap to form a cleaning mixture.

Step 2: Put the mixture on the sponge.

Step 3: Rub the surface of the stain with a sponge until the stain is gone.

Step 4: Use a clean cloth to wipe the entire floor to remove mineral spirits and mild soap remaining on the floor.

Method 7: Discard Stains Caused By Urine With Cat Litter

Cat urine is a major cause of black stains on hardwood floors. If you do not clean them right away, the condition will get worse. However, you do not need to worry anymore because cat litter will eliminate them thoroughly.

Preparation

• Cat litter
• Vacuum cleaner

How you do it

Step 1: Apply cat litter on black stains caused by cat urine.

Step 2: Leave for 24 hours.

Step 3: Vacuum all the cat litter off the hardwood floor. You will solve the discoloration of the floor.

Method 8: Remove All Stains With Oxalic Acid

Options for cleaning black stains on hardwood floors cannot fail to mention oxalic acid. It is also known as ethanedioic acid. This type is Coldwater solid with a crystalline white color and will lose color when mixed with water ⁽¹⁾.

Black stains caused by water, urine, or iron stains become normal when exposed to oxalic acid. You can easily find oxalic acid in many stores.

Preparation

• Oxalic acid
• Water
• Gloves
• Brush
• Clean cloth
• A bowl

How you do it

Step 1: Add oxalic acid to water to form a cleaning paste.

Step 2: Dip the brush into the mixture.

Step 3: Rub onto stubborn dark stains.

Step 4: Leave the paste on the stains for a few hours.

Step 5: Use a clean cloth to wipe the floor.

Step 6: Continue doing the above process again until you no longer detect the dark spots.

Note: You should wear gloves, eye and skin protection when working with oxalic acid.

Listen to the ways to get a clean hardwood floor with oxalic acid.

Method 9: Toothpaste Is A Simple Choice

I recommend that you not only use toothpaste to clean your teeth, but you should also use it to clean hardwood floors. It will bring unexpected effects to you when the wood floor encounters black marks that are not too serious due to water, ink, or food.

Preparation

• Toothpaste
• Sponge
• Hairdryer

How you do it

Step 1: Use a hairdryer to dry the hardwood floor before cleaning.

Step 2: Apply toothpaste to the surface of the marks.

Step 3: Use a sponge to scrub the marks.

Step 4: Leave the toothpaste on the stains for a few minutes.

Step 5: Continue repeating the above steps until the stains are gone.

Note: After using toothpaste, you should finish the wood floor to make the floor shiny and beautiful as the original.

Method 10: Cleaning With Chlorine Bleach

Chlorine bleach is a mild bleach that will help keep your hardwood floors shiny. This option is easy to use with black stains caused by mold, blood, juice, tea, and food. Please follow the instructions below step by step.

Preparation

• Gloves
• Chlorine bleach
• Bristle brush
• Soft cloth
• Water

How you do it

Step 1: Wear gloves and protective tools before cleaning.

Step 2: Apply chlorine bleach to stains. You should use a moderate amount of chlorine.

Step 3: Wait for a few minutes.

Step 4: Use a bristle brush or soft cloth to scrub the stains.

Step 5: Wipe cleaned areas with a clean cloth to eliminate excess chlorine bleach.

Step 6: Wait for the floor to dry.

Step 7: If you still find dark spots on the hardwood floor, repeat the process above.

Step 8: Use clean water to wash the entire floor.

Method 11: Liquid Detergent And Cold Water

Liquid detergent is a versatile cleaning solution for many different types of floors. With black stains on hardwood floors, it will remove quickly and effectively. Let’s see what you have to do.

Preparation

• Coldwater
• Liquid detergent
• Microfiber cloth
• Clean water

How you do it

Step 1: Combine 1 part cold water and 1 part liquid detergent to create a cleaning solution.

Step 2: Dip the microfiber cloth in the cleaning solution and apply it to the surface of the stain.

Step 3: Wipe the black marks.

Step 4: Dip the microfiber cloth in cold water and wipe the stains on the wood floor with enough pressure.

Step 5: You will stop when the black stain disappears. If you still see stains, continue with the cleaning procedure above.

Step 6: Use clean water to rinse and dry the floor.

Method 12: Commercial Hardwood Cleaners

Commercial hardwood stain cleaners are practical and convenient options that you can use to remove stubborn stains from hardwood floors. They also discard odors from the floor. When using them, you just spray on the stains and wipe them.

Method 13: Take Advantage Of Salt And Oil

Salt has a pretty good antibacterial effect, so it is used to clean many household items. You can combine it with olive oil to eliminate dark areas on your hardwood floors.

Preparation

• Salt
• Olive oil
• Cotton cloth
• Water

How you do it

Step 1: Combine 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt.

Step 2: Put the paste on a cotton cloth and rub it on the stains.

Step 3: Wait for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 4: Remove the cloth from the hardwood floor.

Step 5: Wash and dry the floor.

Step 6: Polish the hardwood floor.

Method 14: Just Need A Bit Of Mayonnaise

Have you ever used mayonnaise to clean hardwood floors in your home? If not, you can use it to treat black spots on the wood floors thoroughly right now.

Preparation

• Mayonnaise
• Cotton cloth
• How you do it

Step 1: Put mayonnaise on a cotton cloth.

Step 2: Place the cloth over the black stains caused by water.

Step 3: Leave for about 1 hour.

Step 4: If you find mayonnaise to be dry, keep adding more mayonnaise to keep the area moist.

Step 5: Wipe the dirty floor area and remove all mayonnaise from the wood floor.

Step 6: Use wood cleaner or water to clean the entire floor to discard the sticky feel.

Note: You can combine mayonnaise with ash in this case.

Method 15: The Combination Of Butter And Ashes

It is easy to discard water stains with butter and cigarette ash. This option will be pretty simple to make because these ingredients are readily available in your home.

Preparation

• Butter
• Cigarette ash
• Cloth

How you do it

Step 1: Combine 1 part butter and 1 part cigarette ash.

Step 2: Put the above mixture on a soft cloth.

Step 3: Scrub the wood floor area with dark marks caused by water.

Step 4: Use a clean cloth to wipe the floor to remove the ash and butter.

Method 16: Petroleum Jelly Treatment

Petroleum jelly is a combination of hydrocarbons with a semi-solid texture ⁽²⁾. Black stains on hardwood floors can be eliminated by petroleum jelly effectively.

Preparation

• Petroleum jelly
• Soft cloth

How you do it

Step 1: You will put petroleum jelly on a soft cloth.

Step 2: Place a soft towel over the black marks.

Step 3: You will leave it overnight.

Step 4: Use a clean cloth to wipe the floor, and you will no longer see dark spots on your hardwood floor.

Method 17: Using Household Bleach

Bleach is a widely used cleaning agent to get rid of stubborn stains. In this case, you should not ignore household bleach because it will thoroughly remove the severe dark stains on the hardwood floors.

Preparation

• Household bleach
• Toothbrush
• Clean water
• Clean cloth

How you do it

Step 1: Wear gloves before using bleach.

Step 2: Dip the toothbrush in household bleach and scrub the stains.

Step 3: Wait about 2 hours after scrubbing is complete.

Step 4: Add bleach to the stain and leave it overnight.

Step 5: Rinse the floor and dry the floor to remove all bleach.

Step 6: Polish the floor upon completion.

Method 18: Sanding And Refinishing To Bring A New Look

When the stains are pretty serious and you cannot remove them using the above methods, you need to proceed with sanding and refinishing the black mark area on the hardwood floor.

Preparation

• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Refinish products

How you do it

Step 1: You will sand the stained area with fine-grit sandpaper. You should not sand too hard or too deep to avoid damaging the floor.

Step 2: When you no longer see the black spots on the hardwood floor, you will begin to refinish the floor with any refinish product.

Step 3: Seal hardwood floor after refinishing.

Note: It is better to refinish the entire hardwood floor to prevent discolorations and various colors on the surface of the wood floor.

Method 19: Replace A New Hardwood Planks

With stubborn stains on hardwood floors that you can no longer remove, the only way to apply is to replace a new floor. This is pretty time-consuming, but you can do it yourself after reading my instructions.

Preparation

• Gloves
• Measure
• Circular saw
• Pry bar
• Nail claw
• Curved vice grips
• Electric sander
• Vacuum cleaner
• Nails
• Hammer
• Construction adhesive
• Wood filler

How you do it

Step 1: Wear gloves before working.

Step 2: Remove a board from the floor to measure the thickness of the wood plank. This will help you determine the depth of the saw blade to cut to board.

Step 3: Identify the stained hardwood floor area and saw off the wood floor with a circular saw. You need to make sure the space between individual cuts is 1 foot to 2 feet.

Note: You should protect your eyes by wearing goggles to prevent debris from entering your eyes when sawing wood.

Step 4: Once you have sawed the flooring area that needs replacing, you will use a pry bar to pry the plank off the subfloor.

Step 5: You need to remove nails and staples on the subfloor with a nail claw and curved vice grips.

Note: You can use magnets to collect even nails and staples left on the subfloor.

Step 6: Sand to remove the glue and paint on the subfloor with an electric sander.

Step 7: Use a straight wood bar placed on the subfloor to check the flatness of the subfloor.

Step 8: If you spot any uneven areas on the subfloor, use an electric sander to smooth the area.

Step 9: Vacuum off all dust on the subfloor and surrounding area with a vacuum cleaner.

Step 10: Choose a new wood plank that is the same size and color as the floor you are replacing. You can choose a nail or floating mounting type.

Step 11: Leave the new hardwood plank in the room for about 3 days to allow it to get used to the temperature and humidity conditions in the room.

Step 12: Install the hardwood plank.

Case 1: For the nailed-fixed hardwood floor, you will position the plank where it needs to be replaced and use a hammer to drive the nail down. When using glue, you will spread construction adhesive on the back of the plank and attach it to the subfloor.

Case 2: If you use a floating hardwood floor, the plank will be attached according to the tongue and groove mechanism.

Step 13: After the installation is complete, you will clean and vacuum the wood floor.

Step 14: Use wood filler to fill the holes in the floor when you fix it with nails.

Follow the instructions to replace the hardwood floor properly.

Note: After implementing the above methods to remove dark marks on hardwood floors, you should wax and re-polish the floor to bring back its original state and color.

Tips To Choose The Best Methods For Each Cause

As I have shown, there are many causes of dark stains on hardwood floors. For each reason, there will be cleaning options that bring the best result. From the options above, I will divide them by causes for you to choose easily.

• Stains by mold: When black spots are caused by mold, your best options for removing them and odors include vinegar, baking soda, and bleach.
• Spots by urine and vomit: You should use vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide to clean floors when you encounter stains from urine and vomit.
• Marks caused by moisture: You should choose liquid detergent for light black stains and hydrogen peroxide for more severe conditions. Oxalic acid is also a perfect choice.
• Stains from blood, water, and food spills: Oxalic acid and chlorine are fantastic choices in this case.
• Dirt and ink stains: There are many choices available, but it is best to use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or liquid detergent to get rid of them thoroughly.

Tricks To Prevent Dark Stains For Hardwood Floors

It is best that you do not let the hardwood floor appear with stubborn black marks; this will reduce the quality of the hardwood floor and waste time cleaning them. Therefore, I will reveal to you the tricks to prevent them.

• You should clean hardwood floors regularly to prevent dirt and grime from sticking to the floor to form severe stains. You should use specialized cleaning products to clean wood floors.
• You can protect your wood floor by waxing and finishing it regularly. This will keep your floors clean, new, and shiny.
• When detecting spilled water or food on the hardwood floor, you should use a cloth to wipe and clean immediately to prevent them from penetrating deep into the floor, causing black spots.
• You should not leave damp towels on the wood floor because they will affect the quality of the wood floor and form stubborn stains.
• To prevent your pet from urinating on hardwood floors, you should train your pet to go to the toilet in the right place.
• It is good to place carpets in areas of the floor that are frequently flooded with water to prevent water from reaching the floor.
• If you put potted plants indoors, you should put a saucer underneath because water can drain from the bottom of the pot and cause black stains on the floor after a long time.
• To reduce the possibility of scratches and damage to the floor, you should use rubber to cover the furniture legs.
• Check for molds regularly to remove them as soon as you find them.
• You should use a damp mop to clean the wood floor and should not use a mop full of water in this case.

FAQs

The questions in this section will give you some new knowledge and tips that you can apply when cleaning hardwood floors. Learn them all right away.

No More Fear Of Black Stains

If you have a headache with black stains on wood floors, this article will help heal your headache. You will feel free to choose one of the methods above to have a clean and shiny floor. Please leave your comment after applying the measures in the comment section.

You can help clean the floors of the people around you by sharing this post with them. I thank you for following the article and wish you success with the ways that I have provided.

References

1. En.wikipedia.org. 2022. Oxalic acid – Wikipedia.
2. En.wikipedia.org. 2022. Petroleum jelly – Wikipedia.