As much as you love your hardwood floor, you might not take the best care of it.
As much as you love your hardwood floor, you might not take the best care of it. In fact, sometimes, you might accidentally spill some red wine on it. We understand because accidents happen. But even though the stains left by red wine on a carpet are fairly obvious and tough to remove, you might be surprised by its effect on the hardwood. That said, if your hardwood was properly sealed, there shouldn’t be any problems. But if it hasn’t been sealed or stained yet, what should you do?
Soak It Up
No matter what spills on your treasured hardwood floor, you should soak it up immediately. All types of liquid can get into the crevices and damage the structural integrity of your flooring, not just water. If your wine spilled, then it spilled. Don’t let it get to you, though, just hurry and clean it before the wine can set. Grab the closest stack of paper towels you can find and soak up the wine. Although you think you should wipe it or rub it, this is inadvisable it. After all, you could be making the situation worse instead of better.
Clean Near It
Once the wine is out of the way, you can start cleaning around where it spilled. Although you might immediately reach for the bleach, that isn’t the only option you have. Let’s have a look at what you can do:
- Use the bleach: If you’re going to use bleach, you should at least dilute it first. That way, you won’t make dark hardwood turn lighter. Only apply the bleach to the affected area, and don’t leave it unsupervised. Give it at least forty-five minutes, but an hour at most, to work its magic. However, since bleach is powerful, this shouldn’t be your first response to a wine spill.
- Use oil soap: Another option is to use oil soap. Mix this soap with some water and start to scrub and see if it makes any difference.
- Use baking soda: Alternatively, you could make a paste with some baking soda. Leave the paste on the stain for about forty minutes, then come back to it. All you need to get it clean is use a soft cloth that is already dry.
Resanding, Restaining, and Resealing
These three choices are up to you. It’s ultimately your decision, so only you can determine if it is worth it.
Ready for a Beautiful Hardwood Floor? You Can Trust John K Eareckson & Co.!
When you work with John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come. From a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your home’s hardwood floors. For a consultation and more information visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. You can also follow us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.