Letter 31774

Removing oil stain footprints from 1899 wood  

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My husband disassembled a 1899 Pagoda Style house in NY and reassembled it in Westford. He took it down in 1980 and we moved in last May. Needless to say, it is like his child, and that is why I am writing with this question. While we were at work, someone visited our home and left oil footprints on the porch. Needless to say my husband is just beside himself. You see he rebuilt this house by himself. (no help) So his wood is like gold to him. Do you have a solution to this problem? Is there anything that will take the oil out?? Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Sue Brosseau
Homeowner - Westford, VT, USA

First rub area with kitchen soap having a high lye content or saturate cotton with hydrogen peroxide [link is to product info at Amazon] and place over the stain. Then saturate a second layer of cotton with ammonia and place over the first. Repeat until stain is removed. Let the area dry and then hand buff.

I too have wood floors in my house, I am assuming that you have either a wax finish or a penetrating stain on the floor.

Good Luck

Marc Banks
- Elizabeth City, NC

One way to remove oil from wood is to soak the stain with white spirit and then sprinkle talc over it. Leave overnight then hoover up the remnants. Remove anything left with a cloth soaked in white spirit. You may have to repeat this process a few times as the deeper oil rises to the surface.If this does not work try the same process but with petrol.

Take care !

Phil Lyons
- London

Ed. note: And be really careful using gasoline on such a thing! And outdoors only, of course.

Hi, I have sydney blue gum flooring throughout my whole house that have been coating with a satin finish polyurethane coat. 6 months after coating, marks like footprints/boot marks started appearing. We have been told this effect is called "ghosting" and no one seems to know how to remove the marks. Apparently sanding back to the wood and repolishing only works temporarily and then the marks reappear. There are thoughts it could be oils on boots left on wood that causes it. Has anyone heard of this and does anyone know a permanent remedy?

Lisa Fodero
- Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Hi my name is Cindy. I recently had pre-finished hardwood floors installed in my home (brazillian walnut). I have been going crazy with the smudge marks and footprints that I see all over my floors. I have tried vinegar and water, and various other hardwood floor cleaners, nothing is working. Do you know how handprints look on sliding glass doors, or stainless steal appliances? it's almost like that. I was so excited about having these floors installed, but now I spend all my time trying to clean them. Does anyone have any ideas? I would really appreciate it. Thank you so much.

Cindy Hennessey
homemaker - Atlantic Highlands, NJ, USA

How to remove an oil spot from white finished furniture? Hello. I am writing to seek advice on how to remove an oil spot on my daughter's white finished dresser. It seems her lotion based medicine leaked onto the dresser and created an oil spot that is rather large in the center of the dresser. I want to be able to remove the stain without ruining the finish on the wood.

Any help advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Angela Lindauer
homeowner - Bloomington, IN

We also have installed a new Brazilian cherry floor.

It looks beatiful until you walk on it. It keeps foot prints like glue. We use water and a towel to dry erase the marks only to find a new set when someone walks on it. Please somone give a us a solution.

Thank you Fred

Fred Shelby
- Richmond, BC

I spilled motor oil on bare teak decks (boat). How can I remove the stain? I've tried automatic dishwasher detergent and teak cleaners. It lightened the stain but is still there. Thanks!

Jeff Snow
hobbyist - Orrs Is., ME

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