If you have a wooden floor in your home or beautiful wood furniture, you probably know how tough dealing with oil stains can be. Whether you’re dealing with cooking oil spills on your kitchen floor or food splatters on your hardwood table, when it comes to good wood fittings, oil stains are the enemy.
So what should you do about it? According to Dave Meyer from Johannesburg Laminate Flooring, even old wooden flooring can retain its original beauty if it's given the right care.
Dave shares some tips…
How do oil stains happen?
Because natural wood is porous, it's all too easy for oil or oily substances to penetrate the surface and leave an unsightly stain.
The oil sinks into the wood itself so getting the stains out can be a real challenge. Thankfully, Dave says there are some home remedies and techniques you can use to deal with oil stains and get your wood looking as good as new.
What to look out for
Cooking oil, greasy or oily food can damage floors and other wooden surfaces. Oily body lotions and other beauty products can cause problems too as any of these substances can spill and cause damage to the wood in your home.
Dave says homeowners need to be careful of cleaning products as well. He says furniture polishes and some commercial wood cleaners can leave an oily residue that can stain your furniture if you don't deal with it straight away.
How should I deal with an oil spill?
The answer to this is ‘quickly’. If something oily spills onto your wooden floor or furniture, spring into action straight away. Dave says the faster you act, the more likely you are to prevent stains.
If you deal with the stain straight away, the newspaper and detergent method will likely be enough. Here’s how…
1. Blot the stain with newspaper as soon as it happens.
2. Mix up a mild detergent solution in a bowl.
3. Spread the suds only over the stain (too much water can damage the wood further).
4. Scrub the stain vigorously with a scrubbing brush.
5. Dry the wood thoroughly with a soft cloth.
The stain should vanish, leaving your wood clean and sparkling.
How can I dissolve older stains?
According to Dave, if you're dealing with an older oil stain, mineral spirits can help dissolve it. Mineral spirits like simple paint thinner can work wonders for restoring your wood floors or furniture.
To use, simply apply the spirits on a cloth and work it in to the wood, going with the grain. Repeat as often as necessary until the stain is dissolved, then wash and buff dry using detergent as outlined above.
Do be sure to wear rubber gloves and ventilate the room well when handling mineral spirits.
What can I do about stubborn oil stains?
If you’re dealing with a stubborn oil stain, don't despair. He says Fuller’s earth can help get rid of unyielding oil stains. Fuller’s earth is a clay based material that absorbs oil.
To use Fuller’s earth on wood, simply sprinkle it over the stain and leave it for at least ten minutes for it to absorb the oil. Scrub it off with a stiff bristled brush, then clean with detergent and buff dry.
If the stain proves to be extra stubborn, mix in some Fuller's earth with a little bit of water, spread it on the stain, and leave it for 24 hours. Work the paste off using a palette knife or a similar object, and be careful not to scratch your wood. Follow with a quick clean and buff.
How can I protect my wood from future stains?
Dave says you can't prevent accidental spillages, but there are some things you can do to help protect the wood in your home.
Because wood is porous, oil spills and dust can get absorbed quickly, leading to unsightly stains before you know it. Help prevent this by regularly cleaning your floors and furniture. Daily cleaning is recommended for wooden floors, and at least once a week for furniture. Polish your wood regularly and make maintenance a regular part of its care.
Wood floors and furniture provide a beautiful talking point in your home, lending a rustic, warm ambience. Maintain them properly and deal with spills as quickly as you can to prevent oil stains and to keep your wood looking lustrous.
*This article was updated on 09/03/2022
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