When ink falls on your beautiful wooden floor, trying to get rid of the stains as soon as possible is the first thing to think about. Wooden floors are not all the same, as they can have different finishes; this should not be forgotten when considering the various methods of removing ink stains. Another thing to check is the depth of the stain. Has it penetrated into the wood or only into the surface finish? Whatever the condition of the stain and your floor, follow these steps to effectively get rid of ink stains.
Steps
Method 1 of 7: Stain on the surface: use dish soap
Step 1. Mix half a tablespoon of dish soap with a little warm water
Step 2. Stir the solution thoroughly until there is plenty of foam and bubbles
Step 3. Dip a rag in the foam, not the liquid
Step 4. Gently scrub the stained surface with the soapy rag
Step 5. Use a clean, damp rag to rinse the surface and wipe the soap off the floor
Step 6. Dry the surface with a dry towel
Step 7. Check if the stain is still there
If it's still visible, move on to the next steps.
Step 8. Dip a steel wool scourer (type 0000) in liquid wax
Step 9. Gently scrub the stained surface with the steel wool
Steel wool should only remove a thin layer of the surface.
Step 10. Polish or wax the floor as needed
Method 2 of 7: Surface stain: Use baking soda
Step 1. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste
Step 2. Sprinkle the stained surface with the paste and scrub with your fingers
Don't rub too much, you could ruin the floor finish.
Step 3. Dampen a soft rag with clean water and wipe the stain to get rid of the slurry
Step 4. Repeat this step until the ink stain is gone
For larger stains, you will need to repeat the process several times.
Step 5. Dry the floor thoroughly
Step 6. Wax if necessary
Method 3 of 7: Stain penetrated into the finish
You should realize that once you have removed the ink stain that had entered the finish, the finish itself has been damaged and you will need to reapply it to the affected area.
Step 1. Wipe a cloth moistened with white spirit on the affected area
Do it gently.
Step 2. Use a clean, wet rag to wipe the surface
If the ink is still visible, repeat the process using steel wool (type 0000).
Step 3. Scrub the stained surface with the white spirit-soaked steel wool
Do it gently and being careful to rub in the direction of the wood grain. Try to remove only the necessary amount of trimming.
Step 4. Clean the surface with a soft rag
Step 5. Reapply the trim in the affected area
Method 4 of 7: Wood Stain: Preparation
Step 1. Pour some denatured alcohol onto a soft, clean rag
Step 2. Clean the surface with the rag to remove dirt and other impurities
Step 3. Sand the surface with sandpaper to remove the wood finish
Step 4. Remove debris from the surface
Step 5. Wipe the surface with a rag soaked in white spirit
Step 6. Clean the affected area with the rag to remove traces of oil or grease on the surface
Method 5 of 7: Stain in the wood: use bleach
Step 1. Wipe a clean, soft rag dipped in undiluted bleach over the stained surface
Step 2. Let it sit for 10 minutes
Step 3. Check if the stain is still visible and repeat the process if necessary
Step 4. Rinse the surface thoroughly with clean water
Step 5. Dry the surface with a clean, dry dish towel
Step 6. Reapply the finish to the floor after 24 hours
Method 6 of 7: Wood stain: use oxalic acid
Step 1. Oxalic acid is recommended for treating blue ink spots and is preferably used hot
Step 2. Dissolve between 60 and 120 grams of oxalic acid crystals in about one liter of warm water
Step 3. Apply the solution generously to the stained surface using a soft, clean cloth
Step 4. Let the solution sit on the surface for a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of one hour, depending on the severity of the stain
Step 5. Scrub the affected area with a stiff bristle brush to remove any remaining traces of the stain
Step 6. Rinse the surface with clean water
Step 7. Dry the affected area with a clean, dry tea towel
Step 8. Reapply the finish to the floor after 24 hours
Method 7 of 7: Wood stain: use concentrated hydrogen peroxide (30%)
Step 1. Hydrogen peroxide is a very strong type of whitener and should only be used as a last resort to remove the worst ink stains
It is usually sold as part of a kit that includes caustic soda.
Step 2. Dip a sponge in clean water
Step 3. Wipe the wet sponge on the wooden floor to moisten it
Step 4. Apply a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and caustic soda (follow the instructions on the packaging) to the affected area
Make sure you apply the mixture evenly.
Step 5. Let the mixture sit on the wood for the time specified in the instructions
Step 6. Reapply the trim in the affected area
Advice
- You can also use alcohol and hairspray to remove small ink spots.
- Before applying any solution to the floor, do a test on a hidden part to be sure there will be no irreparable damage to your floor.
Warnings
- Never clean a hardwood floor with ammonia. Wood can become discolored and damaged in contact with ammonia.
- Never use a mop to try to get an ink stain off the floor. This may just spread the ink even more by coming into contact with the mop fibers.
