We’ve seen the reasons for the hype about parquet floors, and the aesthetic value is one of the reasons. Parquet or basketweave floors differ from other floor patterns because these wood floors require special treatments.
We even have to pay extra attention to the do’s and don’ts when we wish to have bleached parquet floors around our houses.
Only some hardwoods can be bleached. Even then, bleaching agents work uniquely for woods that we use for our parquet floor patterns. Let’s look at the possibility of lightening parquet floors before digging deeper into things we need to consider when bleaching our parquet-patterned floors.
Can we bleach our parquet floors?
Of course, yes! Parquet floors are some of the most beautifully-designed wood floors, so we must preserve the aesthetic value. Bleaching the parquet or basketweave floors is one of the things we can do to preserve the basketweave floors’ colors, patterns, and other elements that belong to their aesthetic sides.
We can bleach hardwoods for our parquet floors, from the least to the most durable. Bleaching our basketweave-patterned floors helps us to prevent the wood’s discoloration. In other words, bleached wood floors are the most convenient and safest wooden floor types with enhanced looks that give expensive flooring looks.
We must pay attention to several things when we aim for bleached hardwood floors. Paying attention to the do’s and don’ts will save us from any potential risks that we associate with bleaching our wood floors.
What are the dos and don’ts of bleaching wood floors?
Here are the do’s and don’ts lists in bleaching floors, particularly parquet-patterned floors, that we should pay attention to:
Do’s:
- Study and research different types of bleaches. If necessary, experiment by applying these bleaches to different hardwoods for several weeks or months to witness the effectivity rates.
- Clean up the wooden surfaces regularly.
- Bleach the woods in an open space and use safety equipment.
- Neutralize the wooden surface before and after applying the bleach.
Don’ts:
- Forget to do any necessary things for your floors: Sanding, neutralizing, removing the seals, etc.
- Mix bleaches long before you apply them to the floors.
- Only use bare hands when bleaching the parquet floors.
- Expect the same reactions for all types of wood.
What are the bleaching agents for parquet-patterned floors?
Sometimes hardwood bleaching is a necessary step to remove stains and freshen up the space. It is a chemical process that lightens the stain colors of the wood. Therefore, homeowners prefer to bleach their parquet floors, and it is essential to know how to properly get floors with Bleached Parquet.
Here are the bleaching agents we should consider for your parquet floors:
Chlorine
We also need this solution to solve problems in laundry, swimming pools, and others, apart from cleaning up our parquet floors. These agents are the best at cleaning up liquid substances, such as water, juices, inks, or blood.
This mildest bleach might need more than one treatment. Choose pool chlorine, a chlorine-based bleach treatment that works better. I suggest buying organic stain and dye removers for the best results.
Oxalic acid
The pure version is the best for deep cleaning and disinfecting your parquet floors. In addition, these bleaching agents can even get rid of rust stains. In-home improvement stores, oxalic acids usually come in crystal forms.
Oxalic acid can also be used to bleach and lighten the wood. But the substance is horrible for your health, and you should only use it with care. After the bleaching process, the oxalic acid must be washed off with warm water to make it harmless.
Two-part kits
These amazingly-effective kits contain hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide, which make them great for removing many difficult stains, such as carbon-based inks.
The two-part bleach solution is best for changing the color of the wood. Sometimes chlorine bleach doesn’t work on tough stains, and that’s when you must apply those two bleaching parts. You can find it at your local hardware store.
Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia solution
Ammonium hydroxide, also known as ammonia dissolved in water, has the formula NH4 OH (aq). The formula for sodium hydroxide is NaOH (aq).
When you mix ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, a chemical reaction happens. The bleaching effect is strong at this point but will go down significantly after this. Since it’s a little harder to use than hydrogen peroxide alone, it’s not as good for use at home.
At some points, we can even find natural ingredients that can act as bleaching agents, such as lime juice, walnuts, and potashes. These natural ingredients are not only cheaper, but they are also readily available in supermarkets.
Will hydrogen peroxide bleach hardwood floors?
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to bleach any wood. In the same way, all types of wood, floorboards, and parquet can be colored with water-soluble pigments (stains) before oiling or sealing.
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleach that works very well. Most pharmacies sell up to 12% hydrogen peroxide solutions, but you should start with a 5% solution and use it several times.
Hydrogen peroxide left over after the treatment is turned into oxygen, so it does not need to be removed.
Advantages of hydrogen peroxide
Easy to use, and usually only a few times are needed to get the desired result. Easy to get and doesn’t leave anything behind. Most hydrogen peroxides left over after 48 hours have turned into oxygen and evaporated. After that, it won’t be hard to treat it any further.
A disadvantage of hydrogen peroxide
The disadvantage is that it has a strong bleaching effect, so you must be careful and apply it evenly. Splashes and uneven application show up quickly in the result.
Instructions for the use of the bleach
Anyone who uses bleach needs to be sure to protect themselves. The whole hand must be covered by acid-resistant gloves, preferably made of rubber.
Long-sleeved clothing should not leave any skin showing where the sleeve starts. If you need to, you can stick the gloves to your wrist with tape.
Safety glasses and a mask must be worn even in well-ventilated work areas. Kids and animals must stay away.
With common bleaching agents, In addition to the manufacturer’s safety and use instructions, you should consider the following items and steps.
Ammonia: If you breathe them in, they can hurt your lungs and mucous membranes. Only use them outside.
Chlorine: Inhaled gases can cause respiratory arrest. Chlorine reacts with other chemicals, which can explode when it mixes with ammonia or hydrogen.
Sodium hydroxide: When drops of the liquid land on skin or clothing, they eat away at it. After it has been used, the alkaline lye can be thrown away by neutralizing it with acids.
Oxalic acid: Oxalic acid is very reactive, so you can only mix it with water. It is the gentlest bleaching agent, but it doesn’t always get the job done.
Hydrogen Peroxide: The most popular kind of very harsh bleach. In addition to being very corrosive, it also has properties that cause it to self-heat in solutions, which can cause them to “boil over.”
What types of woods are compatible with the bleached styles of parquet floors?
Here are the wood types that people tend to make parquet floors from:
American Walnut
People have recognized walnuts as some of the noblest wood types, and the American variant is not an exception. Bleaching and brushing the American Walnut floors will enhance their grains’ elegant patterns.
Cypress Pine
These types of woods are excellent for giving a rustic feel to a room, including the bleached versions. The orange removals will make the wooden floors feel cleaner and more natural.
Oaks
These types of woods don’t only stay as some of the most widely-used woods for bleached parquet floors. Bleached oaks can also be ideal for floors’ light and airy feel. Red oaks can also be excellent alternatives to the usual oaks.
How much does it cost to bleach parquet floors?
On average, bleaching the floors’ materials requires us to budget around $3-$3.5 per square meter, which means around $300-$350 for the entire average-sized rooms.
Even though we can DIY the bleached parquet floors, we still have to hire professionals due to the patterns’ and grains’ complexity.
The professional (or the labor) costs for bleaching the floors are equal to the average costs for the entire average-sized rooms’ materials. Some professionals even have rarer discount sessions so we will experience more difficulties hunting for promotions.
We recommend you budget at least 20% more of the total material and labor costs in case the promotional offers don’t work or we find out that our wooden floors need frequent bleaching later.
How To bleach hardwood floor stains
Follow the product manufacturer’s recommendations carefully to be safe and achieve the most significant results when using commercial bleach. To use bleach, you’ll need a bucket, gloves, a mop, a bucket, water, and a broom.
There Are Five Easy Steps To Bleaching Your Wood Floor
Gloves and safety glasses should be on before you start this operation. Eye, skin, and pulmonary burns from bleach can be pretty painful. The best techniques to use bleach to clean your wood floor are as follows.
Step 1
To remove dirt from the surface and any substantial particles, such as sand, that could scrape your wooden floor when mopping, wipe your floor with a dry mop or brush.
Step 2
Mix a gallon of water and a cup of bleach. Until the bleach is entirely diluted, mix it in a bucket.
Step 3
Dampen the microfiber cloth with bleach water. Press well to dry. They don’t flood your floors. Moisture is the enemy of wooden floors. As a result, you should avoid getting bleach water on your mop. It is better to have the mop dry and just slightly damp. You can spray bleach water on the microfiber cloth with a spray bottle.
Step 4
To clean dirt or stains off wooden floors, lightly wipe a small area. Once you’re done, let them sit for 10 minutes so the bleach water can eliminate any dirt, mold, or stains stuck to your wood floors.
Step 5
Take a dry mop or cotton cloth, wipe the water, and bleach off your wooden floor. Mop your floor well until no water or bleach is left on it. The better choice is an air dryer. It saves you time and makes your work easier. Also, ensure good airflow and leave all the windows open.
Conclusion
The type of bleach you use to clean your hardwood floor will depend on the level of stains and debris. We recommend stronger bleaching agents such as chlorine bleach and a hydrogen peroxide/caustic soda mixture for stubborn stains. And for regular hardwood floors, milder oxalic acid is a good option.
Before using bleach, read the soil’s manual, as redwood, cedarwood, cherry, and rosewood do not bleach well. Some exotic woods are not suitable for bleaching.
Use as little bleach as possible to whiten your hardwood floors. This applies whether you bleach or stain the wood. Some woods are not suitable for bleaching.
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