How to get ink off wood floor

When spills happen on wood floors, a quick wipe (and maybe a bit of a cleaning solution) is usually all it takes to clean up the mishap. But if left unattended, sometimes spills and other accidents can become lasting wood floor stains. Maybe a family member inadvertently left a full glass on the floor overnight, or perhaps a spill didn't get fully cleaned up. Whatever the reason, stains on wood floors can be unsightly and distracting. Before you panic over a blemish on your wood floor, take note: You might have options for removing the stain from your beautiful hardwood floors.

Depending on the type of stain and how deep it is, you might be able to easily fix the spot. Follow these steps for how to remove stains from wood floors, including tips on how to remove water marks and what kind of wood floor stain removers to use. Before you know it, your hardwood floor will look like that stain never even happened.

How to get ink off wood floor
How to get ink off wood floor

Laurie Black

Before Getting Started

To remove wood floor stains, first determine what the ring or watermark looks like. Its appearance is important to help you figure out how to best address the wood floor stain. White stains, for example, indicate a type of surface-level water stain that can be easy to remove. Dark brown or black stains indicate a deeper stain that may require more work to remove. The color of the stain indicates whether it is located in the floor's waxy surface layer or has penetrated the finish into the grain of the wood.

Must-Know Tricks for Cleaning Hardwood Floors

How to get ink off wood floor
How to get ink off wood floor

David Tsay

How to Remove White Rings and Water Marks from Wood Floors

Start by letting the stain dry for two days to see if it disappears on its own. If not, try one of these methods for removing white water rings from wood floors. In addition to these stain removal techniques, you'll also find some kits and products available specifically as water mark removers.

The method you use for removing water stains from wood will depend on whether your floor is treated with a wax or penetrating stain or if the floor has a surface finish. As the name implies, the stain or finish on surface-finished floors sits on the surface of the wood, while wax or penetrating finishes go deeper into the wood and are typically found in older homes.

What You Need

  • 000 steel wool
  • Wax
  • Fine sandpaper
  • Mineral spirits
  • Wood floor cleaner (optional)
  • Cloth for buffing
  • Urethane finished floor cleaner
  • Scrub pad
  • Dry cotton cloth (optional)
  • Hot iron (optional)
  • Denatured alcohol (optional)

Step 1: Clean Waxed Floors

For floors finished with wax or penetrating stains, very gently rub the water stain on the wood with extra fine grade #000 steel wool ($5, Home Depot) and wax.

Step 2: Lightly Sand Stain (If Needed)

If the above method does not remove the stain, lightly sand it with fine sandpaper. Clean the sanded area with fine grade #00 steel wool ($5, Home Depot) and mineral spirits or a wood floor cleaner ($4, Home Depot). Let the floor dry, then stain, wax, and buff by hand.

Step 3: Clean Urethane-Finished Floors

For floors with a surface finish, use a cleaner made specifically for urethane finishes ($8, Home Depot). For tricky spots, scrub using a cleaner and a scrub pad made for urethane floors.

Step 4: Remove Stubborn Stains

If neither of these methods works, consider these additional ideas for how to remove water marks from wood floors. Cover the stain with a dry cotton cloth and rub with a hot iron (set to no steam) for two to three seconds. Lastly, try dampening a cloth with denatured alcohol and rubbing over the stain for just a few seconds.

How to get ink off wood floor
How to get ink off wood floor

Anthony Masterson Photography, Inc.

How to Remove Dark Water Stains from Wood Floors

Black rings or dark water marks can be more problematic as these are generally water stains that have penetrated the finish of the floor.

What You Need

  • Small brush (toothbrush)
  • Bleach

Step 1: Use Bleach and a Toothbrush

To remove dark water stains from wood floors, you have two options. Dip a small brush (such as a toothbrush) into a small amount of bleach and rub it onto the stain. Do a second round after several hours and let the area rest until the next day.

Alternatively, you can strip, sand, and reseal the area if possible.

How to get ink off wood floor
How to get ink off wood floor

John Granen

How to Get Other Stains Out of Wood Floors

Stains from non-greasy items, such as food and nail polish, should come off with these steps.

What You Need

  • Kitchen soap with lye
  • Hydrogen peroxide (optional)
  • Ammonia
  • Cotton balls or rags

Step 1: Rub with Cleaning Product

For greasy stains, like oil and butter, on wax or penetrating finished floors, rub the area with a kitchen soap that has a high lye content. You can also try soaking a cotton ball or rag with hydrogen peroxide and placing it over the stain.

Step 2: Add Ammonia

Then saturate another layer of cotton with ammonia and layer on top of the first piece of cotton. Repeat this process until the stain is gone.

Step 3: Dry and Buff

Let the spot dry, then buff by hand. Treat greasy stains on surface-finished floors using the steps above.

When to Call a Professional

When removing wood stains, always follow the general guidelines for cleaning wood floors. Go easy on the moisture and always dry thoroughly. Only use products recommended for your flooring type and finish. If it's a big stain or something stubborn, contact a flooring professional, as they can advise on how to remove stains from wood floors in a way that won't cause irreversible damage.

How do you remove ink from floors?

Mix 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol with equal amounts of turpentine and olive oil. Dab the solution on the ink spot with a cotton ball or cotton swab. Allow the stain to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before reapplying lightly. Immediately wipe over the area with a clean, damp cloth.

How do you get color pen off wood?

Make a paste of baking soda. Spread the paste on the stained wood and rub it with your fingers to make it penetrate, making sure to cover the ink trail completely. Let the baking soda do its job. If you rub too hard, you risk damaging the surface of the wood.

How do you get dried ink out of laminate flooring?

Take a dry white cloth to rub the stained area to make sure there is no more transfer. If spot is still visible, lightly mist a pH neutral cleaner onto the floor and wipe up with a clean dry cloth.

How do you remove dried ink stains?

How do you remove ink after it has dried? Put down a towel you don't mind getting stained, and place the stained garment on top of it. Treat the stain with rubbing alcohol or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or hair spray and let sit for at least 10 minutes before blotting and rinsing with cold water.