Your floors are one of the first things that people see when they walk into your home. Naturally, it's essential to keep your kitchen and other areas of your house looking attractive. With that said, there are certain rules you should follow when staining your hardwood floors. Let's face it. You wouldn't want to mess up on one of the parts of your home that gets the most traffic. Follow the steps listed below and your flooring should stay in great condition.
The Do’s
If you're new to staining your hardwood floors, you might not know where to begin. If that's the case, let's start with what you should do first.
1. Sand the floor
Begin by carefully sanding the floor to give it a nice, smooth surface. And once you’re done, thoroughly vacuum it to ensure there is no leftover particles or debris.
2. Wash the floor
The best way to wash the floor is by doing a method called water popping. It requires you to mop the floor right after sanding it so that it raises the grain. It allows the wood to better receive the staining application. Once you’re done, give the floor about 30 minutes to dry before proceeding to stain the wood.
3. Apply gloves
This might seem like a no brainer, but if you haven’t put on gloves prior to this step, this is your reminder. Staining has its name for a reason and it can get quite messy. So, be sure to protect your hands and wrists. You’ll be glad you did. Also, a mask and shoe covers should be applied as well.
4. Properly mix the stain
This is a vital step in making sure your floors come out flawless. Start by making sure that you completely stir the stain. The liquid might not be mixed well within the container and you want to make sure it’s all the correct color. Otherwise, you could potentially stain one part of your floor a lighter pigment than the other.
Secondly, if you use more than two cans of stain, pour them all together. Each product might differ slightly. Most products have a disclaimer that explains that the liquids might vary in color. Therefore, if you mix them all together, there shouldn’t be an issue.
5. Apply the stain properly
When applying the product on the hardwood, run the sponge with the grain–not against it. Maneuver from one side of the room to the other making sure to consistently wring out your towel or sponge. You want to ensure that the product is smooth and even and doesn't make a puddle on the floor.
6. Apply a polyurethane top coat
Applying a top coat over your floor helps to preserve it over time and give it a bit of shine. Before adding the gloss, make sure the floor is completely dry. Layer the polyurethane in the same manner that you did with the stain. Additionally, it’s a good idea to use a lambswool brush and not a towel to coat the floor. A rag or towel will ruin the finished product and give the floor a dull look. If at all possible, wait for 24-48 hours after you’ve completed the top coat to walk on the hardwood.
The Don'ts
Now that you know what you should do, here’s a breakdown of what you shouldn’t do.
1. Use cleaning products
During the water popping step, steer clear of using cleaning agents or soap. Cleansing products contain ingredients that could potentially hinder the staining application. Be sure to use plain water for this step!
2. Forget to wear knee pads
This is another one of those steps that might seem silly to mention. However, if you want your floors to look nice, it will require getting down on your hands and knees. You may feel a bit eager to start staining and forget to put on your pads. But trust us, your knees will thank you for it the next day.
3. Use the stain products one by one
As previously mentioned, staining products tend to vary, which can present a problem if you’re remodeling a large area. If you use the liquids one at a time and the last one is a different pigment, you run the risk of having a large area of your floor discolored from the rest. You want to avoid that at all costs! So again, don’t forget to mix all of your staining products together if you’re using more than one.
4. Start staining in the middle of the floor
Where you begin staining plays a considerable role in how well the end results are. Start by staining at the furthest corner of the room away from the exit. You want to work in a way that allows you to walk away without hindering the fresh application once you're done.
Also, you shouldn’t have to reach or stretch over several boards when you first start. Initiate the staining process by brushing the product into the edge of the floor along the wall and then proceed to the other wall against the boards. This will allow you to move faster once your base is covered.
5. Apply too much product
Allow about 10 minutes after you’ve completed the floor to go back and remove the extra product. The longer you leave the stain on the floor, the darker the final color will be. Unless you want a strong pigment on your hardwood, be sure that you thoroughly wipe up the remainder of the liquid.
The Final Look
If you follow these instructions carefully, your floor should look amazing once it’s dry. Staining can be a bit challenging but if you avoid certain pitfalls, there shouldn’t be any issues. The ultimate goal is for the hardwood to be smooth, even-toned and free of particles and debris–just as if a professional did it for you.
