How to Get Oil Residue Off Hardwood Floors
- 1). Determine the finish of your hardwood floor. You may have a polyurethane hardwood floor or a sealed and waxed hardwood floor. If you're unsure what type of finish you have, you should seek help from a hardwood specialist.
- 2). Spray a regular hardwood floor cleaner on the oil residue and then use a No. 2 steel wool cloth to remove the residue if your hardwood floor is sealed and waxed. Use a damp cloth after using the wool cloth and then allow the area to dry.
- 3). Apply soap with a high lye content to the oil residue if you have a polyurethane hardwood floor. Wipe up the soap and residue with a soft cotton cloth.
- 4). Continue applying soap or hardwood floor cleaner until you can remove the residue. Also, try using ammonia applied to a cloth and then rub it into the residue area. Use ammonia as a last resort because it can discolor some wood, requiring you to refinish it.
- 5). Purchase a buffer for hardwood floors to remove the residue if nothing else will work. Have a professional use the buffer to remove the residue if you're not comfortable using it.
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