How do you neutralize bleach on hardwood floors?

If you’re using oxalic acid or chlorine bleach, apply white vinegar to the stain to neutralize the bleach before wiping up all the water.

How do you get bleach off hardwood floors?

Sand the bleach stain with 100-grit sandpaper. Bleach always raises the wood grain when it encounters wood. This property allows you to sand off the bleach stain until you reach the actual wood color beneath it. Once sanded smooth, wipe off the dust with a damp rag.

What happens if bleach gets on hardwood floors?

Bleach is a powerful chemical disinfectant used to whiten clothes, remove stains, and sanitize toilets. … It’s not safe to clean hardwood floors with bleach because bleach can break down the wood’s finish and seep into the porous fibers causing discoloration and weakening the structure of the floorboards.

How do you remove bleach from wood?

Remove the bleach with a damp sponge, and apply vinegar to neutralize the wood and prevent further lightening. Let the wood dry and finish with stain, if necessary, followed by a quality wood polish.

Does bleach ruin hardwood floors?

Wooden surfaces are porous- and bleach is generally not recommended for use on such surfaces. However, if you must disinfect a wooden surface, using bleach sparingly in a water solution will get the job done. Bleach can affect hardwood floors differently, depending on the age, quality, and type of finish of the floor.

How do you fix discolored hardwood floors?

Both oxalic acid and two-part peroxide bleach will lighten darkened wood, and since oxalic acid is the easier one to use, it’s best to start with that. You mix the crystals with water to make a saturated solution and then spread it over the dark wood or the whole floor.

Is hydrogen peroxide safe for hardwood floors?

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective cleaning solution that is safe for humans and pets and won’t damage hardwood floors when used properly. With its antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties, it goes beyond eliminating dirt and debris to sanitize your home.

How do you sanitize real hardwood floors?

wood floor disinfection with vinegar
  1. Mix a half-cup of white vinegar with one gallon of water in the bucket.
  2. Dip a mop into the cleaning solution in the bucket and wring it well to ensure that you don’t apply the solution in excess onto the floor.
  3. Wipe out the wood floor gently in a circular motion.

Can I use Clorox to clean wood floors?

You can also use Clorox® Bleach to disinfect hardwood floors. However, bleach should never be used full-strength. Always dilute it in water and follow the instructions on the bottle. Learn more about cleaning and disinfecting floors with bleach.

Can you use Clorox wipes on hardwood floors?

For small spills, try Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes. They even work on wood floors! For a deeper clean, vacuum or sweep the floor before mopping to remove the excess dirt, crumbs and other floor-dwelling particles.

Is it OK to use Pine Sol on hardwood floors?

We like using Pine-Sol® Original Pine Multi-Surface Cleaner on hardwood floors. … You can also use Pine-Sol® Original Squirt ‘N Mop®. It’s safe for wood and hard, nonporous surfaces. You can apply it to the floor directly from the bottle.


What will bleach do to wood?

Adhesion. Chlorine bleach destroys lignin, a component of wood that hardens and strengthens the cell walls. Once the surface cellular structure loses its integrity, film-forming finishes like Lifeline™ have no sound wood to bond to, and can peel off.

What is best for cleaning hardwood floors?

You can use a commercial wood-cleaning product, like Bona or Murphy Oil Soap. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also make your own cleaner by mixing one part vinegar to 10 parts warm water. Add a few drops of liquid Castile soap.