Wood is a naturally porous material, and when exposed to water or excess humidity, it absorbs moisture. Over time, this moisture can lead to discoloration, known as dark water stains, which are usually black or dark brown.
How to remove dark stains from hardwood floors: Soak cloth in some hydrogen peroxide and dab onto all of the dark spots. Then let this dry overnight and be amazed! Repeat as needed. For larger, darker stains, you can leave a hydrogen peroxide soaked towel over the area for a few hours and then remove and let dry.
Wood turns black as it burns due to incomplete combustion, which produces carbonaceous residue known as char. To prevent this, proper airflow and combustion conditions are necessary. Additionally, applying a fire retardant can help maintain the wood's natural color during burning.
If your wooden floor is in an area of your home where there is high humidity such as bathrooms or kitchens then black mould is likely to thrive making black spots on your wooden floor. This is why we recommend that wood flooring is not always suitable for these high humidity zones.
Distilled white vinegar is a common household item that can remove layers of dark water stains on hardwood floors. Soak a rag in white distilled vinegar and place it on any stained area for five to ten minutes. You may have to repeat the process to remove the stain entirely or to address larger stains.
Once you're confident that you've sanded away as much of the black as you can, apply the Oxalic acid to the damaged areas. To do this mix 100ml of hot water from the tap with 3 tablespoons of Oxalic acid. Mix well until the powder has dissolved. Then using a clean paintbrush, brush the acid onto the stained areas.
Deep Stains on Wooden Floors
Hydrogen peroxide is known for its effectiveness against dark and black urine stains. Apply it to a clean cloth and lay it over the stain, allowing it to sit and work on lifting the stain.
Always use a damp mop, never soaking wet. Clean up spills immediately and dry the area thoroughly. Dirt and Grit: These act like tiny sandpaper particles, scratching the wood's surface with every footstep. Regular sweeping or vacuuming (with the hard-surface attachment) is crucial to prevent this.
Black mold is a microfungus, so it's no surprise that it looks like a germ or organism you would inspect under a microscope. On some naturally porous materials, black mold may be hard to differentiate from dirt stains, burn marks or other imperfections. Black mold on wood can easily be mistaken for dirt.
Used properly, hydrogen peroxide is not one of the damaging solvents. It is, in fact, a very effective stain remover and a reliable cleaner for hardwood flooring.
Natural Wood Variations: Keep in mind that not all discoloration on wood surfaces is mold. Natural variations in wood color and grain can sometimes resemble mold patches. Look for uniformity in color and texture to distinguish between natural wood features and mold growth.
Wood products exposed to 13 wet-dry cycles and continuous exposure over 40 weeks resulted in the following conclusions. Wood discolors slowly and requires continuous moisture exposure to develop a dark (two-to-five months) to black (six-to-eight months) appearance.
The darkness of the resulting color depends on the tannin content of the wood. Some woods like oak or walnut contain a lot of tannins and will turn fairly dark, while woods with lower natural tannin content like birch or maple will get a more gray or brownish color.
Humidity, mold and UV rays in the sun are the main causes of your wooden floor turning black.
Soak a cloth in hydrogen peroxide, then use it to dab the dark stains. Leave the hydrogen peroxide to dry overnight. For a prominent spot, use a towel and leave the soaked towel on the area for up to eight hours. After you remove the cloth and allow the spot to dry, the stains should disappear.
Vinegar is a natural mold killer that is safe for most surfaces, including unfinished wood. Apply the Solution: Dip a soft-bristled brush into the vinegar solution and gently scrub the moldy areas of the wood. For stubborn mold spots, you may need to reapply the solution and scrub multiple times.
Visible Signs
One of the most apparent indicators of mold is visible damage to your flooring. Look for: Discoloration: Patches of yellow, green, or black can signal mold growth. Warping: Uneven or bulging floorboards suggest moisture buildup, a breeding ground for mold.
Mopping with Vinegar Solution. If you prefer natural cleaning solutions, you can use vinegar to clean your matte black floor tiles. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and is effective in breaking down dirt and grime.
If the Mop is Suitable for Hardwood Floors
Our best overall pick, the Bona Microfiber Floor Mop, and best spray mop pick, the Swiffer PowerMop, are great mop options with a microfiber pad (or two).
Baking soda should be used minimally and sparingly on wood floors to avoid any long-term damage.
Alkaptonuria is a rare genetic metabolic disorder characterized by the accumulation of homogentisic acid in the body. Affected individuals lack enough functional levels of an enzyme required to breakdown homogentisic acid. Affected individuals may have dark urine or urine that turns black when exposed to air.
We do not expect this to happen when our Clorox Urine Remover is used on wood floors. To properly use the product, turn nozzle to “ON” position. Spray directly onto stain until completely covered. Rinse with water or wipe with a clean, damp cloth.