How to stain wood floor?

I've heard staining is a good technique for updating floors. So how do I stain my wood floor?


  28 answers
  • Peggy L Burnette Peggy L Burnette on Jun 26, 2019

    Hi, this is Peggy. I hope this information helps you seal your wooden floors. HOW TO STAIN AND SEAL HARDWOOD FLOORS

    1. Clean the surface of the floor. ...
    2. Use a rag or paint roller to apply a penetrating stain. ...
    3. Use a brush or roller to apply a coat of polyurethane finish. ...
    4. Sand lightly and apply the second coat of polyurethane.

    How to Stain and Seal Hardwood Floors - dummies

    https://www.dummies.com/home.../flooring/how-to-stain-and-seal-hardwood-floors/

  • Craft Invaders Craft Invaders on May 10, 2019

    This article from Hometalk might be helpful Honny

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/the-three-basic-steps-to-stain-wood-40626325

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on May 10, 2019

    A long handle and roller will save your back for applying it

    Work in sections and with the grain of the wood. Wipe off excess.

  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on May 30, 2012
    Keep in mind that dark stain will show scratches more than will a light color. Dark is popular, but the natural color of oak is timeless. As for finish, dust will not show as much on satin finish. It is the dust that collects beneath and around furniture that drives you crazy!!!!
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on May 30, 2012
    With a "sanding" and then "staining" project your floor sanding needs to be perfect if you use a darker colored stain. Natural oak is far less likely to show sanding swirls than a "dark" stain. Any good floor refinisher knows this...its the not so great floor finishers that leave these type of mistakes.
  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jan 23, 2018

    Vac and Wash the floors. When dry, go ahead a stain..........

  • If they're bare wood, you probably can. You may want to give them a light sanding to smooth any imperfections, though.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jan 09, 2022

    Hello, here is a great video instruction, hope it helps you out,

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aoDrwXoSoQ

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Jan 31, 2022

    you would need to sand it well first so if it is a big piece i would ask proffesional to help but applying stain is easiest with cloth

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 16, 2022

    Choose your stain from the DIY store. and get advice at the same time as to what you should apply it with. Start at the farthest point from your doorway and work backwards, so you don't find yourself marooned!

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Mar 31, 2022

    It is difficult process so use light stain

    1. Clean the surface of the floor. ...
    2. Use a rag or paint roller to apply a penetrating stain. ...
    3. Use a brush or roller to apply a coat of polyurethane finish. ...
    4. Sand lightly and apply the second coat of polyurethane.


  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Mar 31, 2022

    You have to sand it and then add the stain

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Apr 06, 2022

    You need to sand down the floor take all marks off if you want them off because with the stain you will see them more. Then after you sand it vacuumed really well .then start staining from the farthest corner and work your way out of the room. Let dry as long as the can says .If it’s not the color you want after it’s dry re stain starting the same way wearing socks only on the floor they might get stain on them start in the corner . After it’s dry totaly you need to polyurethane the floor to protect it and then every other year maybe touch up with Polly.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Apr 21, 2022

    Keep in mind that staining a wooden floor requires a certain amount of physical agility to bend, crawl on your knees, and to reach out at awkward angles. It may not be a suitable diy project for everyone.

  • Janice Janice on Apr 30, 2022

    Clean the wood floor well, let dry. Sand with fine grit sandpaper, clean, let dry, then apply the color stain you want.

  • Robert Robert on Nov 09, 2022

    There are a few things to keep in mind when staining wood floors. First, you'll need to sand the floor to create a smooth surface. Next, choose the right type of stain for your flooring. Water-based stains are typically best for lighter woods, while oil-based stains work well for darker woods. Once you've chosen your stain, apply it evenly across the floor and allow it to dry completely before walking on it.

  • Dee Dee on Dec 27, 2022

    Here are the steps to stain a floor.

    1. Ensure that the floor will take the stain well. Certain species, such as maple, birch, fir, and pine typically do not take well to stains.
    2. Test it out. ...
    3. Sand the floor. ...
    4. Screen the floor. ...
    5. Clean up the dust. ...
    6. Optional: Water pop the floor. ...
    7. Apply the stain. ...
    8. Let the stain dry completely.


  • Deb K Deb K on May 12, 2023

    Hello Honny, hope this helps you out. it's important to properly prep the floor to get the best results

    https://blog.cityfloorsupply.com/how-to-apply-stain-to-a-hardwood-floor-step-by-step-guide/



  • Annie Annie on Jan 29, 2024

    Here's a video for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmeG1nF47Ik

  • Sand and then restain and then coat with a strong polyurethane made for floors. Here's a DIY that might help.https://www.hometalk.com/posts/kitchen-dining/refinishing-a-old-wood-floor-staining-a-kitchen-wood-floor-black-28511851

  • Annie Annie on May 31, 2024

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc21HbsmXFA

  • Janice Janice on Dec 31, 2024

    There are many great posts here on Hometalk that will provide you advice about doing this. Just enter key words into the search box at top left on the homepage.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 31, 2024

    Sand, Vac, wash, dry, vac! Apply stain starting from the fathest point from the door and work backwards. Leave it to sak in and dry. Follow rest of instructions on bottle to complete task!

  • Deb K Deb K on Jan 03, 2025

    Hello Honny, hope this helps you.

    1. Prepare the floor: Clean the floor to remove any dirt or debris. Sand the floor with a coarser grit sandpaper first, then work your way to a finer grit. Sanding opens up the wood grain and helps the stain absorb better. You can use an edge sander for tight spots and corners.
    2. Test the stain: Test the stain in an inconspicuous area to see how it will look.
    3. Apply the stain: Apply the stain with a brush, foam, or cloth. For woods with open pores, like oak, ash, or mahogany, apply more pressure to work the stain in. You can use a paint roller or a decking applicator to apply the stain.
    4. Let it dry: Allow the stain to dry completely.
    5. Protect the stain: Apply a polyurethane finish or varnish to protect the stain.

    You can also stain a wood floor without sanding if you want to refresh or darken the existing stain. To do this, you can use a liquid sander or deglosser to dull the finish so the new stain will adhere properly.