Wondering how to remove black urine stains from hardwood floors? You’ve come to the right place.
Our beloved pets are likely to have accidents from time to time. Especially if you’re toilet training a puppy or caring for an elderly pet.
Unfortunately, their little accidents can leave unsightly black stains on hardwood flooring. Therefore, it’s important to know how to remove urine stains as soon as they appear.
Moreover, if pet stains are not cleaned up immediately, they will soak into hardwood flooring. The acidity of pet urine penetrates the wood, leading to black stains.
In addition, you may also notice warps or splitting of the wood due to the excess liquid. If left untreated, the urine scent will encourage pets to repeat accidents in the same spot.
Fortunately, you can remove black urine stains from hardwood floors using either:
- hydrogen peroxide
- white vinegar and grapefruit oil
- bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- enzymatic cleaner
- commercial cleaners
There may be affiliate links in this article. You can read more about this in my disclosure.
Why do urine stains turn black on hardwood floors?
Pet urine is often acidic and may break down the protective finish on hardwood flooring. Therefore, it’s important to know how to remove black urine stains from hardwood floors so that they remain in pristine condition.
As a result, once the urine penetrates the hardwood finish, the stain will turn black. Hence, it’s best to clean the urine immediately to avoid staining the wood.
In the event a black stain has formed, don’t panic. You can return your hardwood flooring to its former glory using one of the following methods.
Afterwards, follow cleaning with a hardwood sealant or penetrating oil to protect your flooring.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical that is often used as a bleaching agent or as an antiseptic. Use a hydrogen peroxide solution to disinfect and deodorize pet urine stains. It’s a great way to tackle foul odor.
Deodorizing will help to prevent further accidents in the same spot.
You can buy hydrogen peroxide at most high-street chemists or in bulk on Amazon.
You’ll need 3% concentration for use on hardwood flooring. Stronger solutions may bleach the wood a lighter color.
Water can dilute this if you already have higher-strength hydrogen peroxide at home. You can use the Hydrogen Peroxide Dilution Calculator by Happy Hydro Farm to determine the needed water-to-peroxide ratio.
You’ll need hydrogen peroxide, a spray bottle, rubber gloves, and a soft cloth or a towel for this method.
- If needed, dilute the hydrogen peroxide with water to make a 3% concentration
- Pour the 3% peroxide solution into a spray bottle
- Spray evenly over the stain
- Leave to soak for 30 minutes
- Wipe with a clean damp soft cloth or towel
Always protect your skin with rubber gloves when using hydrogen peroxide.
White vinegar and grapefruit essential oil
Grapefruit essential oil has antiseptic qualities. Coupled with the acidity of white vinegar, it can make a powerful stain remover and a natural disinfectant.
Plus, the grapefruit scent will cover up the unpleasant smell of white vinegar.
The drops of grapefruit oil also acts as a natural repellant for cats and dogs. Applying it to the stained area can prevent future accidents in the same place.
You can find grapefruit essential oil and white vinegar for sale on Amazon. Make sure to buy pure grapefruit essential oil with no added ingredients.
You’ll need white vinegar, grapefruit essential oil, water, a spray bottle, and a soft cloth for this method.
- Mix together a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle
- Add a few drops of grapefruit essential oil to the spray bottle
- Spray the mixture onto the stain and scrub with a soft cloth
- Wipe clean with a clean soft damp cloth
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Bicarbonate of soda
Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is a safe, eco-friendly, and affordable household cleaner.
Notably, when used on dog urine stains, it will break down the acidity, draw out moisture, and deodorize the affected area. You can purchase bicarbonate of soda at the supermarket or in bulk quantities on Amazon.
For this method, you will need bicarbonate of soda, water, and a clean cloth.
- Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda evenly across the stain
- Leave to sit for one hour
- Remove the bicarbonate of soda with a soft damp cloth
If this doesn’t work, you can make a bicarbonate of soda paste. Simply mix water and bicarbonate until it forms the consistency of toothpaste.
Spread a thin layer evenly across the stain and leave for one hour. Wipe away with a clean, damp cloth and dry with a clean towel.
Enzymatic cleaner
Enzymatic cleaners can break down organic matter like urine, blood, and sweat. They are often used to disinfect medical equipment contaminated by bodily fluids.
You can also make a DIY enzyme cleaner at home using citrus peel, sugar, yeast, and water. This cleaning solution contains natural enzymes and is less harsh than the standard chemical cleaner.
Most surfaces, including hardwood flooring, are safe to use with an enzyme-based cleaner. Still, testing any new cleaning product on a small inconspicuous area before use is best.
How To Make A DIY Enzymatic Cleaner At Home
As mentioned earlier, you can make your own DIY enzymatic cleaner at home. Bear in mind that it needs to ferment to be effective, so it will take a month to complete.
You’ll need an old soda bottle, sugar, yeast, citrus peel, and water to make DIY enzymatic cleaner.
To make DIY enzymatic cleaner, you’ll need an old soda bottle, sugar, yeast, citrus peel, and water.
- Chop 300g of lemon or other citrus fruit rind into small pieces
- Place the chopped citrus peel into a clean soda bottle
- Add 100g of brown or white sugar and one teaspoon of yeast
- Pour in one litre of filtered water
- Shake the bottle well for 30 seconds to mix
- Unscrew the bottle to let out any gases that have built up before replacing the lid tightly
- Write the date on a label and attach it to the bottle
- Leave to ferment for one month in a warm place (above 35 C for best results)
During fermentation, the yeast will convert the sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. For the first two weeks, it’s essential to unscrew the bottle lid three times a day to release the build-up of carbon dioxide.
Otherwise, your soda bottle may explode from the pressure. After two weeks, you only need to vent your bottle once daily as most of the sugar will have been converted.
Once fermented, you must strain the liquid through a sieve to remove the citrus peels. Store your DIY enzymatic cleaner in an airtight container.
You can pour the cleaner straight into a spray bottle to clean urine stains on hardwood floors. Spray the cleaner onto the urine stain and rub the area with a soft cloth.
Then wipe away with a soft damp cloth and dry with a clean towel.
Commercial cleaners
You can also buy a ready-made commercial cleaner that is specifically designed to target pet urine stains.
In comparison to DIY methods, commercial pet stain removers are easy solutions but might be more expensive.
Your local pet shop will have a range of pet stain removers to choose from. When shopping for a pet stain remover, ensure the product is suitable for hard floors.
Try the Extreme Pet Stain and Odour Remover by Simple Solution for a ready-made enzymatic cleaner. It’s non-toxic and designed specifically for hard surfaces like hardwood flooring.
Protecting hardwood floors from future accidents
While it’s possible to remove black urine stains from hardwood flooring, it’s easier to prevent them. There are different methods you can use to protect your beautiful hardwood floors.
To prevent future black stains, invest in a box of puppy training pads. Simple Solution Dog and Puppy Training Pads are designed to absorb up to six cups of liquid while also neutralizing odors.
There are reusable pads available for those worried about the environmental impact of disposables.
To protect your hardwood flooring further, you can apply a hardwood sealant. This provides an extra barrier and extends the time it takes for pet urine to penetrate the wood.
Sealants will usually need to be reapplied every two to five years. When applying sealant, make sure to open any windows, as the smell can be pretty strong.
Before using a sealant, it’s important to be aware that sealants can change the color and shine of your hardwood flooring.
You may prefer to use a penetrating oil like Furniture Clinic’s Wood Danish Oil. Unlike sealants, penetrating oils are designed to soak deep into the wood for better protection.
People tend to find penetrating oils because they leave a more natural finish when compared to hardwood sealants. This is likely because the oil soaks into the wood while the sealant sits on top.
For penetrating oils to work best, use them every time you clean your hardwood floors.
FAQs About How To Remove Black Urine Stains From Hardwood Floors
Why is my hardwood floor turning black?
Generally, hardwood can turn black from moisture getting into the wood, whether it’s from spills, animal urine, or water damage over time. Specifically, when liquid seeps in, it reacts with the tannins in the wood and leaves a black or dark stain.
Can urine stains be sanded out of hardwood floors?
The good news is, yes – sanding can often remove urine stains in hardwood. It takes off that stained top layer to reveal the fresh wood below. On the other hand, if the stubborn stains are soaked in deep, you might need to do more intensive treatments, refinishing, or even replace boards to fix it totally. Nevertheless, sanding is a good starting point. Using grit papers can be effective.
Will hydrogen peroxide damage hardwood floors?
Now, hydrogen peroxide can lighten a hardwood surface if you leave it on too long, especially in high concentrations. Using a 3% solution and testing in an inconspicuous area is key. Moreover, extended exposure may lead to discoloration of the hardwood surface over time. However, if you’re careful with the application, it should be okay.
How do you get black water stains out of wood?
Dealing with black water stains on wood can challenging as they can be so stubborn! One effective method is a handy homemade solution of mixing white vinegar and baking soda into a paste. Apply that to the stain, let it sit for a bit, then gently wipe it away. It’s always a good idea to test it out in a hidden spot first to be safe. More often than not, this method proves effective for those pesky black marks.
Does white vinegar damage hardwood floors?
While white vinegar is a popular cleaner, it can harm hardwoods if you go overboard. This is because the acidity can break down the protective finish if you use too much or don’t clean it up quickly. To mitigate this, always dilute with warm water and clean up with a damp cloth right after applying. Use a soft cloth or a microfiber cloth for the best results.
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
