How to stain wood floor?

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


  34 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.


  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 22, 2025

    Drop something on it! Ha Ha!

  • Anonymous Anonymous on Mar 03, 2025

    Prepare the Surface – Sand the floor to remove old finish and smooth imperfections.

    Clean Thoroughly – Vacuum and wipe with a damp cloth to remove dust.

    Apply Pre-Stain Conditioner – Helps the wood absorb stain evenly (optional but recommended).

    Apply Stain – Use a brush or cloth, working with the grain; wipe off excess.

    Let It Dry – Allow the stain to dry completely (usually 24 hours).

    Seal with Polyurethane – Protects the floor and adds durability (apply multiple coats).

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 03, 2025

    Go to DIY. Choose Stain and Folow instructions on tin!

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Apr 04, 2025

    This is a good way to update your floors, but best left to a professional to keep it looking even. The floor needs to be sanded beforehand.

  • Deb K Deb K on Apr 04, 2025

    Hello Hinny, hope this helps you.

    Methods for Changing Hardwood Floor Color Without Sanding:

    1. Gel Stains:
    2. These stains sit on top of the wood rather than soaking in, making them suitable for floors that haven't been sanded.
    3. Tinted Finishes:
    4. Products like HyperTone Stains can tint water-based wood floor finishes, allowing for color changes without sanding.
    5. Specialized Color-Changing Solutions:
    6. Products like Norton|Vermont Natural Coatings EasyWhey are designed to restore or change the color of pre-finished flooring without sanding.
    7. Screen and Recoat:
    8. This method involves lightly abrading the surface finish to create micro-scratches, allowing a new coat of finish to bond to the old coat.
    9. Chemical Adhesion:
    10. This method uses an adhesion promoter or bonding agent that sticks to the existing finish and allows a new topcoat to bond to it.

    Things to Consider:

    1. Product Compatibility:
    2. Ensure that the chosen product is compatible with the existing finish on your hardwood floors.
    3. Surface Preparation:
    4. While sanding might be avoided, proper cleaning and preparation of the floor surface is still crucial for a good outcome.
    5. Professional Advice:
    6. If you're unsure about the best method or product for your specific situation, consulting with a professional hardwood floor refinisher is recommended.
    7. Color Matching:
    8. If you're aiming for a specific color, it's helpful to test the product on a small, inconspicuous area of the floor first.


  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on May 19, 2025

    🛠️ Supplies You’ll Need:

    1. Floor sander (drum and edge)
    2. Sandpaper (36, 60, 80, and 100 grit)
    3. Vacuum and tack cloths
    4. Wood conditioner (for soft woods like pine)
    5. Wood stain
    6. Lint-free cloths or staining pads
    7. Floor finish or polyurethane
    8. Painter’s tape and plastic sheeting
    9. Respirator mask and gloves

    âś… Step-by-Step Instructions:

    1. Prep the Room
    1. Remove all furniture, rugs, and baseboards if possible.
    2. Seal off doorways and vents with plastic to contain dust.
    3. Clean the floor to remove dirt and debris.
    2. Sand the Floor
    1. Use a drum sander for the main area and an edge sander for corners and edges.
    2. Start with coarse grit (36), then repeat with 60, 80, and finally 100 grit.
    3. Vacuum thoroughly between grits to remove dust.
    3. Clean the Surface
    1. After final sanding, vacuum the entire floor carefully.
    2. Wipe with a damp cloth or tack cloth to pick up fine dust.
    4. Apply Wood Conditioner (Optional but recommended for soft woods)
    1. Helps the wood absorb the stain evenly.
    2. Apply with a brush or cloth, wait 15 minutes, and wipe off excess.
    5. Stain the Floor
    1. Work in small sections.
    2. Apply stain with a staining pad or lint-free cloth following the grain.
    3. Wipe off excess stain with a clean cloth within 5–15 minutes.
    4. Let dry according to the manufacturer’s directions (usually 24 hours).
    6. Apply Protective Finish
    1. After stain dries, apply polyurethane or your preferred finish with a brush or roller.
    2. Allow it to dry completely (typically 4–6 hours).
    3. Lightly sand with fine grit (220) between coats, and apply 2–3 coats.
    7. Cure Time
    1. Let the floor cure at least 24–48 hours before light use.
    2. Avoid placing rugs or heavy furniture for 7–10 days.

    OR...hire a professional.