How to Restore a Natural Hardwood Color That Turned Gray

Mix hardwood floor cleaner with cold water in a plastic bucket, using the ratio in the manufacturer's instructions. Dip a terrycloth mop in the bucket and squeeze out the excess water. Rub the mop across the floor, wiping off any dust or debris that changes the color of the wood. For some floors, cleaning is sufficient to restore the original color.

Rub a soft cloth over the floor in a circular motion. If your floors have a penetrating seal on the original stain, then the gray color may come from dust or dirt trapped inside the sealant. Push down on the cloth as you rub; this softens the oil and helps to distribute it evenly around the wood.

Sand the hardwood floors with fine-grit sandpaper. Rub the sandpaper back and forth across the floors, following the wood grain. Wipe off any sawdust. The floors may appear gray because the top of the wood dried out. Removing the top layers restores its natural shine.

Clean the floors with a wood oil soap, which softens the wood and provides moisture. Rub an even coating of oil soap on the floors and let it sit for several minutes. Buff the floors with a second rag, removing the excess oil and leaving behind a natural shine.

Refinish the floors as a last resort if no other method works. Sand the original stain from the floors. Apply the new stain with an old rag and rub off the excess stain with a second rag. Apply a clear sealant on top to give the floors more protection.