How to get dark stains out of hardwood?

Hello Linda,

If the stains are old, you will have to sand them down, but if they are deep it may be worth using a bit of Sterilizing liquid on them using a cotton bud. You could also try scrubbing with a nail brush and dish soap. Rinse and Dry off with Tissue and then talc. Vac off when quite dry. If you wish to paint the item, then buy Stain Blocker from the paint dept of DIY store and then paint. Hope that of some help!

Hi Linda, I hope this helps you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59NxymNdzBE

https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/tips-on-removing-stains-from-wood-floors/

For decades it was my chore to clean black marks off the family's hardwood floors. Mom had me use a dry steel wool to gently work them off. Granted, the marks were mostly from shoes and not anything that sunk into the wood.

First determine if the stain is organic by dropping hydrogen peroxide on it. If it bubbles the stain is organic so continue with h202 until no more bubbling. Wipe dry and reassess the stain. Alcohol based? Try denatured alcohol on a cotton ball. Still have the stain. Try TSP. When everything fails use a cotton tipped applicator and apply liquid bleach in the direction of the grain. You have to watch carefully and remove the bleach when done with water. All of these approaches will raise the grain some what so sanding may be required. Additionally you can experiment with different stains to blend the wood grain and stain. I have used some if not all of these techniques primarily on oak, old pine, mahogany (alcohol based) and walnut.