Even preventive maintenance fails occasionally, and if you live in a house for any length of time, you are bound to experience at least one flooring stain. In the event of a hardwood stain, don’t panic. Instead, determine what type of stain it is, then try one of the following stain removal processes.

1.   Use vinegar, peroxide, and baking soda.

Mix one part white vinegar with one part warm water and gently scrub the stained area. You can also use a paste made from hydrogen peroxide and baking soda for the same effect.

Always test a small patch of flooring that’s out of sight before you apply any cleaners to make sure you aren’t bleaching or adding to the stain.

2.   Bleach the wood.

If the stain is deeper than surface-level, try a reputable wood bleach. Wood bleach lightens stains until the color matches the natural hardwood again. When using wood bleach, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully.

3.   Try heat removal.

To remove a surface stain, try laying a cotton cloth over the stain and running a hot iron over it. Be careful not to keep the iron on the cloth for too long.

4.   Rub the stain with lemon oil.

A little bit of high-quality lemon oil goes a long way. Rub the oil into the floor to remove dark stains.

5.   Sand and refinish your hardwood.

If the stain is too stubborn, you can always sand your flooring down and refinish it. Generally speaking, hardwood should be refinished every 10 years or so, so if it’s been a while, refinishing could be beneficial overall.

6.   Replace individual sections.

Replacing your whole floor may be out of the question, but no one said you can’t replace a small section. If you aren’t comfortable replacing your flooring, call a professional for help.