Safe Natural Ways to Strip Wood Floors

Heat Gun

• A heat gun can be used to strip off old varnish from flooring. Although this will not cause any added fumes, there may be some residual fumes from the old finishing material. This is a slow process but it will effectively remove the top protective coat on wood. It will not, however, remove the wood stain that permeated the wood. This technique is best if you are not changing the color of the wood floors, just removing the top coat and refinishing them.

Green Refinishing Products

• There are commercial emulsifiers that act like mineral spirits without the odor or the harmful chemicals. These emulsifiers have a much lower flash point than mineral spirits and are considered safer to use. Those who are extremely sensitive to odors may notice a slight smell, but it is much better than traditional mineral spirits. These green products are not comparable in strength, and more will have to be used to get the job done.

Sanding it Down

• Sanding down the floor will remove the top layer of varnish and the wood stain if you go deep enough. A floor sander with orbiting pads will make quick work of a floor without having to resort to chemicals. The downside is the time involved -- you have to make at least three passes over the entire floor, and the amount of dust created by this job is extensive. But you can turn the sawdust into a natural wood filler to fix any holes or scratches in the wood, which makes this process even more green.

Low VOC and Water-Based Products

• Wood stain companies have released several lines of products with the eco-conscious in mind. Look for low VOC on product labels, which stands for "Volatile Organic Compound." This type of wood stain is more environmentally friendly and does not have the harsh odor of traditional wood stain. In addition, you can also find water-based stains and polyurethane to finish off the floor. These products do not have a strong smell and are more environmentally friendly than oil-based products.