Reasons For Black Spots & Steps To Remove Them From Wood Floors
The iron oxide stains in the wood are usually the dark spots that are caused by prolonged exposure to water or metal. The iron oxide will react with the tannins in the wood and thus stains it black. The reasons for black spots to appear on the hardwood floor & getting rid of these black spots are described below:
Reasons
Bare wooden floorboards are regarded as one of the famous & well-known looks, however, you need to look after it very carefully. If
Liquids including water get spilled on floors, it needs to be cleaned properly, otherwise, it can stain wood by spreading throughout the finish, which in turn can cause black spots and marks to appear.
Urine from pets or children can be another major reason for black spots to appear on the hardwood floors. If in case your home is not properly ventilated, then it is highly possible that
Mold Or Mildew can occur on the floor, which may result in black spots as well. Getting rid of these stains can seem difficult, but it can be done provided you use the right materials.
Dog Urine is another reason for black spots on hardwood floors. As soon as the dog urine goes into or through unfinished wood floors, it can stain and damage the wood, as well as it can leave a long-lasting smell that can be difficult to remove. Dog urine needs to be removed immediately after it is spotted on the wood floor. If the stain gets set in the wood, it can take many attempts to get rid of both the stain and smell.
Steps
In order to remove the black spots from the hardwood floor, go through the below-mentioned steps carefully & achieve the desired result of your work:
- Clean Mold Or Mildew: First of all, you need to get rid of the mold and mildew spots using a solution of a mixture of bleach(one-quarter cup) & water(one cup). If this solution fails to work, then the spots are in all possibility water or urine damage. Put or spread mineral spirits to the affected area and then rub with the help of a steel wool pad. Wait as long as the area is fully dry.
- Vineger: The next step is to dip a clean cloth or tea towel in vinegar and then smoothly rub the affected area and allow it to dry.
- Mix Household Bleach With Water: Now, make a solution of household bleach and water and then rub the stain affected area once again, if in case the above steps have not proven effective. If this solution also does not work, then the other option is to use oxalic acid, which is a very strong bleach that you will get from drug and hardware stores. Spread the acid directly to the spot, but make sure to protect the surrounding wood. As soon as you notice that the black spot has gone, add vinegar in order to neutralize the bleach.
- Rinse & Sand: Next, rinse the area with the help of clean water, using another cloth, and then pat dry. As soon as the area is perfectly dry, sand it down with the help of fine-grit sandpaper. It will be easier if you do this using a small, hand-held electric sander.
- Apply Wax: Finally, it is time to wax the area using paste wax and then buff it as long as it matches the rest of your floor. Apply a thin layer of wax to the stain-affected area and rubbing it strenuously, using a soft cloth, as long as the wax is gone.