How to Remove Black Stains from Wood

Hardwood floors are an excellent investment in your home. Black stains on wood can ruin its appearance, not only for aesthetics but also for resale value. You want to keep your floors looking flawless, which makes the appearance of pesky black spots frustrating. 

This guide will show you how to remove black stains from wood using various effective methods. Learn the causes and step-by-step solutions to bring back the beauty of your wood and restore your floors to their original beauty.

Preparing the Wood Surface for Treatment

Proper preparation of the wood surface is crucial before starting any stain removal process. Follow these steps to ensure effective treatment:

1. Remove Existing Finishes: Strip away any varnish, polyurethane, or other finishes that can block treatment solutions. Stripping the wood surface allows for direct access to the raw wood.

2. Clean the Wood: Thoroughly clean the wood to remove dirt, grease, or residue that could interfere with stain removal. Use a suitable wood cleaner for best results.

What Causes Black Stains From Wood?

Black stains on wood can result from several causes, most of which relate to moisture, a chemical reaction, or heat. Oakwood naturally contains a very high amount of a chemical called tannic acid. When tannic acid is exposed to metal and moisture, a chemical reaction occurs and results in black spots on your wood surfaces and floors. 

Determining the cause will provide the proper course of treatment in restoring the appearance of the wood.

• Iron Oxide Reactions: Metal tools or fasteners coming into contact with water and tannins in the wood cause black or bluish-black spots.
• Water Damage: When water from spills or rain stays on the wood for a long time, the minerals and tannins react and cause dark stains.
• Mold and Mildew: Damp conditions encourage fungal growth that leaves black stains and can weaken the wood.

Spot Cleaning Black Spots on Wood

You may have some black spots on wood or black stains on wood surfaces that do not require all the complicated (and, to be honest, toxic) tactics you may find online. Instead, try WOCA’s Spot Remover, which effectively dissolves grease, blood, coffee, tea, etc. It is specifically developed for indoor use to remove spots from oiled wood surfaces.

Before using our Spot Remover, test the product in a small non-visible area of the floor or surface to ensure that there will be no undesired reaction to the wood surface. Then:

• Spray Spot Remover evenly on the stain directly from the canister.
• Leave the Spot Remover to dissolve the stain for 10-20 min.
• Scrub with a soft bristle brush until the stain has dissolved.
• Repeat the above steps if necessary.
• Wipe the black spot with a cloth wrung out in lukewarm water.
• When the wood is dry, apply the original surface finish (or Diamond Oil Active) to seal and protect your surface.

How to Remove Stubborn Black Spots on Wood

While we hope that your blooming black spots only need a simple spot clean, we know that some are more stubborn than others. If you’re fighting with black spots, here’s our process for winning:

• Spray Tannin Spot Neutralizer evenly on the stain directly from the bottle. Let the Neutralizer dissolve the stain for 30–60 minutes.
• Leave the solution to dissolve the stain and dirt, etc.
• Wipe with a cloth wrung in lukewarm water.
• Repeat if necessary.
• After treatment, rinse the wood thoroughly to remove any residual cleaning agents. Allow the wood to dry completely before applying any finishes.
• Use wood oil to finish and protect the surface.

Protecting Your Wood Surfaces From Future Black Spots With WOCA

Once you’ve removed any black spots currently on your hardwood floors or wood surfaces, you’ll want to make sure they don’t come back. That’s where WOCA Diamond Oil Active comes in. You can use our penetrating oil on your floors and other wood surfaces to give them a beautiful, breathable shine that is resistant to liquids such as water, coffee, tea, and red wine. Diamond Oil is made from plant-based materials, low on VOCs, and isocyanate-free.

Not sure which color you need for your surface? You can order a tester and apply it to a piece of your wood for color verification.

WOCA Tannin Spot Remover removes black spots and black stains from wood in just 5 easy steps.

Rely on WOCA for All Your Wood Surfaces

Whether you are looking to remove stains from your floors, refinish surfaces, or even change the color of your floors and other wood, turn to WOCA for all your wood care needs. Our eco-friendly refinishing products are safe and long-lasting. In addition to top-rated refinishing oils, we also have an arsenal of hardwood cleaning products to clean, protect, refresh, and keep your floors in their best shape in between refinishes.

Explore our entire line of interior WOCA Natural Wood care products here.