How to remove wax spots and marks from wood floors

This article will serve as a guide for removal of wax spots and stains from wood flooring. One main generic tip to remember when removing a stain, is to always start at the outer edge and work inward to prevent the mark from moving outward.For stains from foodInitially if there substance is standing proud, you can use a blade to remove the substance. However, you must be careful, or you may end up scratching the finish. Next, you should wipe the spot with damp cloth, and then rub dry. Re-waxing this part of the wood floor is necessary for waxed finishes. For stains and spots caused by standing water Start of by scrubbing the floor/spot with steel wool. If this does not work, lightly sand the area with fine sandpaper, for example 90 to 120 grit. Be sure to clean the spot and surrounding area using a wood floor cleaner or steel wool and mineral spirits. Let the floor dry completely before continuing to the next step. Once it is dry, apply a matching finish onto the affected area of the floor. Using a technique called feathering will help to blend it in better to the surrounding area. Lastly, be sure to wax the area after the finish has thoroughly dried. Dark spots and ink stains The first step is to clean the mark and surrounding area with steel wool and a wood floor cleaner or mineral spirits. Next, thoroughly wash the spot with distilled white vinegar, soaking it for three or four minutes in the vinegar before removing. If this is not successful at removing the spot, sand the area with fine sandpaper, moving the sandpaper with the grain of the wood, and then use a feathering technique as stated above. For floors with a wax finish, it will be necessary to wax the surface and polish. If you have no success after two repeated uses of vinegar, you can try applying oxalic acid solution directly onto the spot may help. When mixing oxalic acid, the parts are one ounce oxalic acid to one quart water or equivalent fractions. Heel and caster marks These are a relatively easy fix for wood floors. If your floor has a wax finish, you would first need to clean the mark with fine steel wool and wood floor cleaner. Then it is just a matter of wiping the area dry and polishing it. For floors with a surface finish, it is recommended that you should use a cleaner to scrub the mark. Some of these types of marks may be able to be carefully scraped up with a razor blade. Chewing gum, crayon, and candle wax This can be a touchy situation when stuck to your wood floors. First, you must scrape off the surface residue with a razor blade, applying ice until the deposit is delicate enough to crumble off. Another way to clean a stain like this is to pour cleaning fluid around the area, but not onto it. This can sometimes work by soaking under the mark and releasing it.Just never go in with a gung-ho approach as you then risk damage. Just some thought and consideration and your wood flooring will look as good as new.