I have dark water stains on a wooden floor. How can I lighten them?

Judith Sheridan
by Judith Sheridan
  3 answers
  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on May 27, 2017

    Use a mixture of baking soda and toothpaste if mineral spirits don't work.

    1. Put the mixture onto a damp cloth and rub with the grain until the stain is gone.
    2. Clean the area by washing with oil soap.
    3. If the stain doesn't disappear the first time, try another application.

    Coat the wood with a quality furniture wax.

  • Stacie Stacie on May 28, 2017

    Previous owner of my home had a leaky fish tank that left a terrible water stain on my hardwood floors. I ended having to sand those spots and restain it.

  • Karen Durante Karen Durante on May 29, 2017

    A renter stained the wooden floors of our rental house. We tried to correct them by cleaning them but no luck. We, like Stacie123, are going to sand and restain.