How to Clean Pet Stains From a Hardwood Floor

Pets are wonderful companions. Medical professionals say that taking care of a dog can even lower a person's blood pressure and reduce stress. This, however, is probably not true when Fido has just had an accident on your polished hardwood floor. Before your blood pressure rises, you should know that you can remove that stain and restore your floor to its original look.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels Enzyme and bacterial cleaner White vinegar Baking soda Club soda Hand-held sander 60-grit sandpaper 100-grit sandpaper 120-grit sandpaper Bleach Wood stain Polyurethane wood floor sealer

Instructions

Clean the Mess Quickly

1. Wipe up the mess with paper towels as quickly as possible. You need to get rid of it before it dries or soaks through the finish.

2. Let the area dry out. Then spray on some enzyme and bacterial cleaner until the area is moist but not soaked. Wait approximately 30 minutes and then wipe dry. This step is the most critical because it will eliminate the odor that would remind your pet that this is a place for him to use in the future.

3. Mix a solution of 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup club soda and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Apply this to the area and then allow it to work for 30 minutes before wiping it dry.

Sand a Penetrated Surface

1. If the stain penetrated the finish, sand off any finish that may be remaining on and around the spot with 60-grit sandpaper.

2. Place a paper towel over the stain and soak the area with bleach. Leave overnight. If the stain still persists, repeat this process two or three more times.

3. Allow to the area to dry thoroughly and then sand the area with 60-grit sandpaper. Remove dust and sand a second time with 100-grit sandpaper.

4. Sand the area with 120-grit sandpaper and then use a soft damp cloth to remove all dust. Allow the area to dry overnight.

5. Stain the area with a floor stain that is as close to the original color as possible. Most home improvement centers can do an excellent job of matching colors. Allow the stain to dry according to directions on the container.

6. Seal the floor with polyurethane wood floor sealer. Keep all foot traffic off the area for at least 48 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Eliminating the odor is the most important part of this process. Animals urinate to mark their territories, so if the smell is not completely gone, they will continue to go in those particular spots.

• It may be difficult to get an exact color match of the wood stain, so if possible, bring a small section of molding to your home improvement center.

Resources

• Information on wood floor care
• Source for bacterial enzyme cleaners
• Source for sandpaper