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Post by mellowyellow on May 31, 2008 18:11:11 GMT -5
I can't believe I did it.
A few days ago I realized that the cats had leaked pee out of the entrance of the covered litter box, and it left a wet spot on the hardwood.
I was on my way to work, so I just quickly threw some floor cleaner on the spot to try to dilute it until I returned home. Big mistake.
When I got home, the spot was black. I threw some baking soda on it and some more cleaner. I looked up on google and saw several suggestions to try bleach and water. I mopped up the area and several feet around it.
An hour later, I walked in to a totally blackened floor. About a two square meter area of blackness. URgh. I was in a panic and proceeded to do all the wrong things. I scrubbed and scrubbed it. Tried anything I could find. Bf could just shake his head and give me a hug. He didn't have any ideas either.
The next morning... no blackness... everything is a bleachout whitish wood colour. Totally standing out from the rich yellowy golden oak colour. And the wood is dull with no finish remaining. The edges close to the wall are still black black.. I think the pee soaked to the edge and sponged along the wall.
I have finally put some liquid floor wax and it has greatly improved things... But it is still noticeable... and the black part looks terrible. This is immediately at the entranceway and to the left as you walk into the room (used now as a dining room).
All because of a tiny area the size of my hand... that put me in a great panic.
Ironically, I found another area on the other side of the room, already totally black... from the days before Brat Kitten was spayed. Urgh...It is staying that colour for now....
I wish I had a better option. Sanding and refinishing is not a good one right now.
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Post by SueDonym on May 31, 2008 19:07:22 GMT -5
I have issues with my hardwood floors too, so if you find any ideas to try to correct this, please remember to share them. I may try sanding the areas where the stains are not as deep, but there are several areas that I doubt can be fixed without replacing wood. I have been thinking about the possibility of staining the whole floor a dark color or painting over it, but I don't knkow what would be the best thing to try.
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Post by mellowyellow on May 31, 2008 22:21:57 GMT -5
The staining sounds like a good possibility. I don't want to paint it though, because I really enjoy seeing the grain of the wood and the different shades of it as it ages.
I will keep you informed with how the "fixing" goes".
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Post by fluffernut - now Jannie on Jun 1, 2008 6:57:10 GMT -5
There's a Swedish company named "Bona Kemi" that makes wood floor cleaning products, supposed to restore and shine damaged floors. You may want to try looking on their website, they do sell and ship to the US. I've used their products and they work pretty well. Your floor may not ever be perfect, but it can be improved. This is not spam, I am just a customer (and a fellow SS member).
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Post by SueDonym on Jun 1, 2008 7:43:09 GMT -5
Thanks, fluffernut! I will definitely check it out!
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Post by SueDonym on Jun 1, 2008 8:07:20 GMT -5
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desiree50
New Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 12
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Post by desiree50 on Jun 1, 2008 9:31:56 GMT -5
Hi Mellow. There's something called 'Rejuvenate' that is supposed to restore wood to it's original color. I hope you find something that works, Sharon.
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Post by mellowyellow on Jun 1, 2008 18:34:50 GMT -5
Okay, so I went and got some Nature's Miracle and poured lots on the wood. It didn't eliminate or reduce the blackened parts by the wall at all. Maybe it's helped the smell, but it's hard to tell because there is paint smell in the air.
I also went to a small hardware shop (Home Hardware) and asked the old (really old... He's got to be in his 70's) expert that works . . We did look at the Rejuvenate thing that you suggested but he decided against it. He suggested I try a "stain and urethane" in one. I was nervous about that since I wasn't sure if the original floor had wax or urethane. We tried to calculate what the finish would have been since he and I live in the same neighbourhood.
(Off topic but interesting... he bought his house for $15 000, in the 60's... while the houses around here are now selling for $220-250 000!! Amazing how things change...)
I still don't know for sure what the finish is. I took a chance. I sanded things down a bit (not a lot).. and have applied the product. Already the colour looks much better. And the blackened parts by the wall are blending better since they don't show up so much against the new pecanish golden stain.
I will report back tomorrow when everything dries. It is oil based and should take quite a bit to dry... maybe a day or so. Initially I was afraid that the stuff just sat on the surface, but I'm taking the risk. If I have to sand it all again, then I will have to do that. But for now.. definitely an improvement.
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Post by mellowyellow on Jun 1, 2008 18:54:32 GMT -5
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