How to Fix a Water Stain on Strand-Woven Carbonized Bamboo Flooring

The use of bamboo as a flooring material has increased in recent years. Compared to other traditional hardwoods, such as oak, maple and pine, the grain of bamboo flooring is much more minimal in appearance. And since the plant is a sustainable resource, bamboo flooring is a common feature of green design and living. Strand-woven bamboo floors are manufactured from Moso bamboo stalks. When the planks are carbonized, they are heated to develop a burnt patina. Although bamboo is more resistant to moisture than other hardwoods, it is not impervious to water stains. Nonetheless, homeowners can attempt to remove water stains from their carbonized strand-woven bamboo flooring in a few steps.

Clean, dry cloths
Cigarette ash and mayonnaise, or non-gel toothpaste and baking soda
Extra-fine (0000) steel-wool pad
Mineral spirits
Orbital sander
150-grit sandpaper
Natural-bristle brush
Floor finish
220-grit sandpaper

Instructions

- 1
  Apply a clean, dry cloth to the affected area on the carbonized strand-woven bamboo flooring. Soak up any excess moisture. Prolonged contact with water could result in a more severe stain or permanent discoloration.
- 2
  Spread a mixture of equal parts mild abrasive and lubricant onto the water stain. Suggested combinations include cigarette ash and mayonnaise, or non-gel toothpaste and baking soda.
- 3
  Take another clean, dry cloth and rub the abrasive/lubricant mixture in the direction of the grain. After a few rounds of rubbing, wipe the abrasive/lubricant mixture off the affected area and assess your progress. If there is no improvement, proceed to the next step.
- 4
  Ventilate your work area. Dab an extra-fine (0000) steel-wool pad in a small amount of mineral spirits. Gently polish the affected area in a circular motion. After a few rounds of polishing, wait for the mineral spirits to evaporate from the affected area and assess your progress. If there is no improvement, proceed to the next step.
- 5
  Use an orbital sander to lightly sand the top layer of the water stain with 150-grit sandpaper. Clean off the dust and use a natural-bristle brush to coat the affected area with the same finish as the rest of the bamboo floor. Wait for the finish to dry completely, then lightly sand the spot with 220-grit sandpaper. Clean off the dust and add another coat of finish. Repeat as necessary to ensure the water stain is removed and the affected area blends in with the rest of the bamboo floor.
- 6
  Wait until the last layer of finish has dried completely before walking on the spot again.

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