If you’ve pulled up carpet to reveal beautiful hardwood floors, only to find dark stains underneath — don’t panic. Not all stains require sanding or a full refinish. In many cases, you can lighten or even remove them with hydrogen peroxide or a good-quality wood floor cleaner.
The key is figuring out how deep the stain goes. Surface stains or discoloration from old rugs, spills, or pet accidents can often be treated without sanding. But if the stain has soaked deep into the wood grain, you may need to sand and refinish that section — or, in worst-case scenarios, replace a few boards. A full sanding and refinishing job typically costs $3 to $6 per square foot, or around $1,200–$2,400 for a midsize room, depending on labor rates and wood type.
Before you commit to a big project, try spot-treating the stain with hydrogen peroxide or a wood rejuvenator. It’s a simple and affordable fix that just might save your floor — and your wallet.
How To Remove Stains From a Hardwood Floor
Not all stains mean disaster for your hardwood floors. Before you bring in the sander, try these two proven methods:
1. Hydrogen Peroxide Spot Treatment
This is your best first line of defense for dark stains caused by water, pet urine, or old spills. Here’s how to do it:
- Soak a clean cotton rag with 3% hydrogen peroxide (the kind you get at a drugstore).
- Lay the rag directly over the stain and let it sit for several hours — overnight is even better.
- Check the spot, remove the rag, and blot up any leftover peroxide.
- Let the wood dry completely. You may need to repeat the process for deep stains.
Hydrogen peroxide acts like a wood-safe bleach, lifting the stain without damaging the surface. Just be sure to test it in a hidden area first to avoid lightening surrounding the wood too much.
2. Try a Rejuvenating Floor Cleaner
If the stain is more of a dull or discolored patch rather than a deep mark, use a wood floor rejuvenator. These products clean and slightly dissolve the topcoat, evening out the finish and improving the overall look.
Look for a cleaner designed for hardwood, not general-purpose floor products. Apply it with a microfiber mop or soft cloth and follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.
Watch the video above to find out more.
When To Sand or Replace Boards
If hydrogen peroxide and cleaners don’t work, the stain has likely soaked too deep into the wood. At that point, you have two choices:
- Spot sanding: Use fine-grit sandpaper to remove the stained layer. Then reapply stain and finish to match the rest of the floor.
- Board replacement: For severe stains or rot (often from long-term pet urine or water damage), you may need to replace individual planks.
For large or multiple stains, full refinishing may be your best bet. Expect to pay $3 to $6 per square foot, or $1,200–$2,400 for an average 400-square-foot room.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Ralph asks: We have some beautiful oak flooring beneath the old carpet in our house, but there are a few stains. Is there a way to remove those without sanding the whole floor?
Danny Lipford: Unfortunately, if you have some really deep stains in your hardwood floor, it will have to be sanded and refinished in order to get rid of those stains. Even then, some of the real deep stains are really hard to get rid of. Here’s a little trick that’ll help you a lot on that. Basically, take a cotton rag, take hydrogen peroxide, soak it down well, put it over the stain, and allow the hydrogen peroxide to pull a lot of that stain out.
Another thing you want to try before you go through the expense of the sanding and refinishing of your hardwood floor, try some of the new cleaners that are available now, that are called rejuvenators. That’ll thoroughly clean the surface of your hardwood and actually dissolves a little of the finish to give it a nice, consistent look. You may be able to save money instead of having to completely refinish the floor.
Final Thoughts
Stains on hardwood floors might look permanent, but many can be treated without sanding or replacing boards. Start with hydrogen peroxide or a rejuvenating cleaner — you might be surprised how well they work.
If those don’t do the job, don’t jump straight to a full refinish. Spot sanding or replacing a few boards can save money while restoring your floor’s original beauty.
