Q: Our 45-year-old, waxed hardwood floor has some white water spots. Can you suggest a procedure for me to remove the spots? Should I then spot-stain them?
— John R. Cullen, Akron
A: For a waxed floor, the National Wood Flooring Association recommends rubbing water stains or white spots with extra-fine (#000) steel wool and wax. If that fails, you can lightly sand with fine sandpaper, and then clean the spot using very fine (#00) steel wool and mineral spirits or a wood floor cleaner.
Allow the floor to dry, and then stain the spot, wax and hand buff.
You can use either a paste or liquid wax. I’d choose a good-quality wax, possibly from a flooring retailer.
Have a question about home maintenance, decorating or gardening? Akron Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge will find answers for the queries that are chosen to appear in the paper. To submit a question, call her at 330-996-3756, or send email to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. Be sure to include your full name, your town and your phone number or email address.
