I need :help: I am removing a rug that has covered hardwood floors for over 30 some years.. IT has been thru dogs, cats, people, etc, etc:eek: .. We had the rug cleaned alot so the dirt and whatever is on the floor..:blah:
Can someone tell me how to remove the dirt, floor stain, and whatever else is down there??:confused: Probably how to kill any bugs or whatever lives under that rug??:(
I have used all kinds of cleaners:oand wood cleaner..I also have sanded parts of the floor..But the rate I am going it will be another 30 years before its done...:haha:
If you know something, anything can you please :help: me....:thumbsup:

Funny you should ask!!! I bought a really old house (it's small but it's mine!). There are wood floors (antique long leaf onie to be exact) under the nasty, smelly, dog disgusting carpets. The day I closed, I ripped out every single carpet! Wearing a respirator and gloves of course. What I found.... when the house had been kind of remodeled about 30 years ago... they sprayed the wall color and didn't worry about overspray etc... they just put down carpet. So, besides the accumulated dirt and dog stuff it was "things I can't identify caked on." I rented a belt sander from Home Depot and went at it. Then I coated the floors with oil based poly. They are beautiful and I only have 1 more floor to actually refinish. The belt sander rental isn't that expensive, they get you on the cost of the sand paper though. It was well worth the effort. So, just do it! If you want more infromation...just PM me.

I was thinking that renting a belt sander would work. Or maybe a bigger palm sander? I dunno how much you would want to invest, but getting it sanded down and putting poly on it is about the best way to.

Good luck!
Jenn

I do the edge's with a palm sander... It's alot of work that way. You can rent a huge edge sander but it's harder to control than the drum sander. I'd suggest doing the majority of it with the drum sander and doing the edges with the palm sander to save a little money.

Tas,:D Thank you.;) I was trying to think of that name:confused: ...Belt sander.:thumbsup: But I need something to clean the floor. :confused: The dogs smell were they made it a doggie bathroom.. :eek: Plus I went to get every thing lving or dead. I also have like a form of mold:blah: What can I use to clean??:confused: ..Wood cleaner is ok:o ..But I need something more that also kills oder and mold and whatever else???:( You won't beleive it, My x roommate pour oil on top of the rug.. so now that is on the wood...:help: :idea:

Okay..okay....so like I used to have a boat with teak decks.... First, the floors in my house had moldy stuff growing on them from the previous owners dogs...It sanded right out.

On the boat...I used wood bleach to get out tough stains and lighten the wood....You have to be extremely careful with it because it's dangerous and caustic though.... You can find different brands at a marine supply place in different strenghts, some are supposed to be environmentally friendlier than others. If you buy it at a marine supply, the price is astronomical...You can find the same types of products at Homw Depot much cheaper. If you decide to bleach the wood you'll have to do the whole floor so it will match. Try some wood cleaner first and see if that works. Always start with the weakest product and if it doesn't work go for something a little stronger. The main problem with bleaching wood is that it raises the pith (the soft fibers in the grain), then you'll have to sand. When cleaning wood, try not to use a brush sionce it also raises the pith (if you raise too much pith over a long period of time, i.e. a teak boat deck, it gets an uneven grainy appearance). Also, work "with" the grain, never across it.

Good Luck!

Tas,;) Thank you again:p ..I think I will first get the belt sander and wood cleaner:idea: If that doesn't work..:confused: If that doesn't work....:eek: I'll get wood bleach:blah: ...Hopefully I won't have to do that:o Tas,:D what do you use to stain the floor with??:confused: Wanta take a vacation at minnie:cool: no tell motel???:confused: hee hee :haha: Get it???? thanks again for all your help:thumbsup: ..If anyone else know how to take out stains, mold, doggies who won't go outside when we are having 21 days of rain plus 30 some years of aninmals living in this house...:eek: from a hardwood floors Maybe not so much work..Ya I am dreaming :help:..I love to hear from you...:heart:

Minnie,

Some notes from experience....
If you go with the big drum sander (the walk behind one) or if you'll be doing alot of sanding....Turn the ac/heat system off in the house while you work.... if you don't you may end up with sawdust in your ventilation system and will have to go clean it out...messy job! I've been there and done that only 1 time (I'm a quick learner :).

I have the heater turn off. What's AC???Just kidding.. I started using plain old bleach and boy if you leave it on to long..:eek: It take the stain out and every color in the floor out too..Ya I did it..Bleached italmost white..I also hit a flea nest...:blah: Now I really can't bomb my house cause too many animals.. I got the rug and matt out..Put it in a bag and put it in the trash..BUT the fleas oh my :eek: ..That nest just happen within a few days (I hope) maybe a few weeks..Now my problem is fleas and how to get rid of them for good..and out of everything..Cause now I see bugs..OH no..:angry: :blah: :mad: :( I want to thank Tas for all your help..Your a great wood worker...:thumbsup: :D