Some oil leaked from a bag I put on the floor, about a month ago. The oil has leaked into the wood, leaving a dark stain. I've looked up various remedies online but have not found a clear solution, and I don't want to go messing around with the floor until I know what I'm doing. The stain is about 10 inches by 20, made with some kind of edible oil, probably olive, the stain has been there for a month without treatment, and the floor is in pretty bad condition to begin with. It was lightly varnished a long time ago with some kind of clear finish, but the varnish is very thin now over most of the floor. I would very very much appreciate some well informed advice on this.
Of course vinegar won't touch oil. Why do you think that oil and vinegar salad dressings have to be shaken just before serving?
I suggest mineral spirits or kerosene, and paper towels. (NOT naphtha or gasoline -- its fumes are flammable. If there is any doubt, the solvent used should not be capable of being lighted with a match after a little has been poured into a dish -- try this test OUTDOORS for obvious reasons.) After removing the surface oil, place paper towels dampened with the mineral spirits on the floor, cover with aluminum foil, and weight down with books for an hour or so. The oil will dissolve and migrate from the wood into the paper towels. Repeat a few times if needed.
I have used white vinegar and water to mop my hardwood floor. I would try that and perhaps mix a bit of baking soda with the vinegar. Its all natural and both are excellent cleansers - which shouldn't hurt your floor.
I've used that on my car interior, carpets, etc. It won't change the color of your hardwood or hurt the wood.
If that doesn't work after letting it dry completely throughout the wood...I would lightly sand the wood with a fine sandpaper and revarnish just that area (even with a spray).
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