Hardwood floors, though timeless and elegant, can get quickly dulled by many types of stains. Dealing with all these stains can be a bit tricky, given the delicate nature of wood. So, let us help you with safe ways to recover your floor’s shine. Just stick to the following steps!
Step #1 Pretreat the area with a damp cloth
Before diving into the more specialized methods, pre-treat the stain by wiping it with a damp cloth. If the stain isn’t yet ingrained in the wood, it might disappear completely; on the other hand, this would help to rehydrate dry, already-settled stains.
Warning: Don’t soak the area, as too much water can make the wood swell and twist.
Step #2. Use the right solution per the stain type
Different stains demand distinct remedies, and understanding the nature of the stain is the first step in effective floor care. This initial detective work sets the stage for a targeted and successful cleaning process.
General and tough stains: White vinegar
If you don’t exactly know which type of stain you’re dealing with, take the vinegar route. This solution will also help you to take out stubborn stains that refuse to come out.
Make the mixture by pouring ½ cup of vinegar and two cups of water in a spray bottle. Then, spray the dirty area slightly and let the liquid work for five minutes. Once time’s up, scrub the area with the rough side of a kitchen sponge and wipe the residue off with a damp cloth.
Grease stains: Baking soda paste
This DIY mixture cuts through grease without leaving a mark on your floor’s finish—especially useful if you have hardwood floors installed in your kitchen!
Mix four parts of baking soda and one part of water to achieve a thick paste you can spread over the stain. Once you’ve covered the area, give it a gentle scrub with a soft toothbrush and wait five minutes. Then, give the zone another scrub and wipe it with a clean, damp cloth.
Water stains: Hydrogen peroxide
Whitish water spots on your hardwood floors make it look dull and dirty, but hydrogen peroxide will aid you in restoring them.
This method is as easy as it gets. Just spray 3% hydrogen peroxide onto the stained spot and wait five minutes for it to act on the stain. Finally, after the allotted time, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe off the stain.
Dark or soot stains: Mineral spirits
Dark stains, often a result of unforeseen accidents, need a stronger remedy that’s still gentle on your hardwood floors: mineral spirits.
Start by dampening a clean cloth with mineral spirits and giving the stain a firm wipe. Next, leave the dampened cloth extended over the stain for ten minutes. After waiting, scrub the area with a soft brush and rinse it with a tap-water-dampened clean cloth to finish.
Step #3. Dry the area completely
Letting your floors dry is always an important part of cleaning your floors. However, as moisture can cause irreparable damage to your hardwood floors, drying is a crucial step you shouldn’t overlook here. So, put in place a fan or ventilate the room well to accelerate the drying process.
Step #4. Finishing touch: Polishing
All that brushing and wiping will leave your floors clean but can hinder its shine. Let’s recover it with this easy solution:
Mix two tablespoons of olive oil, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of warm water in a container. Once done, you can either pour a little over the cleaned area or use it to give your whole floor a new shine.
Extend and wipe the mixture across the area using a microfiber cloth or mop to avoid leaving residues.
More cleaning tips are awaiting you on our blog!
With the many tips and guides we’ve prepared for you, you’ll keep not only your floors clean but your whole house! You can trust CleanArte Maid Services’ professional cleaning advice to tackle your everyday cleaning tasks quickly and easily. Take a look at our blog to learn more!
