How To Remove Burn Marks From Hardwood Floors?

Hardwood floors are used extensively which can lead to many types of damage on the surface.

One common form of damage is burn marks which can be caused due to placing something hot on the surface of the hardwood floors.

While many homeowners think of it as permanent, it certainly can be removed with the right methods.

However, burn marks won’t be removed using traditional cleaners for wooden surfaces.

To effectively remove burn marks from hardwood floors, the recommended approach involves sanding down the affected area and, if needed, refinishing it. This method ensures the safest and most efficient removal of dark burn marks, restoring the desired appearance to the wooden surface.

However, if you think sanding is too much for the floors or if your wooden boards are not in the condition to be sanded again, you can check the other method listed at the end of the article for a more mild approach to removing burn marks from hardwood floors.

What Causes Burn Marks On Hardwood Floors?

Burn marks can be caused by anything hot placed on the hardwood floors.

For instance, a mug of coffee, a bucket of hot water, or anything similar with considerably high temperatures, which rest on the floors for a long time.

The heat causes steam and moisture on the finish or the surface of the wood, and if the object is placed for an extended time, the wood’s temperature rises, causing it to change color.

However, most of the time, it is not the wood that gets burnt but the finish if the floors are sealed.

In cases where bare wood gets burnt, which mostly happens on unfinished floors, removing the burn marks isn’t as easy as it might sound.

Before discussing the cure, you must know first that you should not place any hot items directly on your hardwood surface.

Even if you use heaters inside the house, use felt pads under them and do not place them directly on the wooden surface.

How To Remove Burn Marks From Hardwood Floors?

The best way to remove the burn marks from hardwood floors is to sand them down if the floor is finished.

This would allow the curated burn mark to be removed from the surface, giving the floors the right treatment.

However, there are other solutions as well which you must check out.

Sand Down The Floors

The most effective method to remove burn marks from hardwood floors is to sand them down.

It is an easy way that does not require much effort or expertise. You only need 3 sandpapers with 150, 180, and 220 grit.

Once the sandpapers are ready, the first step is to sand down the hardwood floor area around the burn mark.

It would be best to start with the lowest grit, 150. However, your grit ratings can differ according to the wood type installed on the hardwood floors. Contact your manufacturer to confirm that.

Make sure to grind it toward the wood’s grain so you don’t cause extra unevenness on the floors. In addition, slow grinding is always better as it allows you greater control and prevents oversanding the area.

Keep grinding the floor on the affected spot until the bare wood shows from underneath and the burn mark is gone.

Moreover, it is recommended to sand the area around the burn mark to blend it in with the rest of the floors so it ends up at a reasonable height.

Once this is done, repeat the same process with the 180 and 220-grit sandpaper. This will give you a much finer grain and make the floor level.

However, remember that you should sweep the floors for wood shavings once you are done with one type of sandpaper.

After this, it is time to reseal the area which you had sanded down.

If your hardwood floors were not finished earlier, you might not need to use all three sandpapers, and sealing it afterward is unnecessary as the area can be covered once the entire floor is finished.

However, if it were sealed, it would be better to make it level with the rest of the floors and give it the same level of protection.

You can pour a small amount of polyurethane or any other finish that was used previously on the floors.

Use a paintbrush or a lint-free cloth to apply the finish depending on what type of product you are using.

It is best to start in the middle and move towards the edges for an even application throughout the area.

After the finish has been applied, wait a few hours for the finish to dry and harden to the right amount.

When it has dried, use the 220-grit sandpaper to sand it down and make it level with the rest of the surface.

If necessary, you can recoat the area for a stronger grip and protection, or if multiple coats are already on the floor, make sure to match the same number.

Lastly, wipe the floors clean, and your burn mark removal will be completed for the hardwood floors.

Use Fine Steel Wool

If you think the burn marks are not that deep and sanding the floors would be an aggressive approach, you can go with a ball of steel wool and some mineral oil to help remove the burn marks from your hardwood floors without damaging them.

The process is very mild and does not scratch or scuff the surface. Moreover, it suits both finished and unfinished surfaces to suit your case.

1. The first step you need to do is to dampen the ball of fine steel wool. Using it in a dry condition might damage the hardwood floors.
2. Use mineral oil to dampen it. Pouring about 1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) of mineral oil on the steel wool ball is recommended.
3. Once ready, gently rub the steel wool on the burn mark and try to loosen it up from the surface.
4. Keep rubbing until clear wood is shown from underneath.
5. Follow with a sponge to clear it up, and ensure it is wrung out beforehand.

Once you finish this process, your hardwood floors will be clear again, and the burn mark will surely be removed.

However, cleaning the wood floors with a damp cloth is still recommended to collect any remnants of the crusted burn or any possible wood shavings.

Lastly, dry the area with a clean kitchen towel to ensure that the water does not dry on the surface of the hardwood floors.

This can cause many problems due to excess moisture in the wood, which you surely would not want to face.

Bottom Line

Wear and tear is part of a hardwood floor’s life and you should not panic if you see the signs.

However, once you see these signs, it is best to opt for repairs rather than worrying about the state of the floors.

Therefore, if your hardwood floors have also suffered from burn marks, it is time you take action.

Use any of the remedies mentioned above to remove burn marks from hardwood floors today!