How To Keep Fumes Down When Staining Floor

Odors from stain and polyurethane can remain in the air for several days.

How to keep fumes down when staining floor.

Floors finished with hardwax oils are useable for light traffic in 36 hours. It is advisable with hardwax natural oil finishes to use cardboard in the high traffic areas if moving in furniture prior to full cure. And when it does go wrong the only solution is to re sand the floor and start all over from the beginning. Carefully vacuum up dust and grit from the sanding process and then wipe down the floor with a tack cloth to pick up any remaining dust.

Even flooring professionals lose sleep over this process because there are dozens of variables that can make staining go wrong. Keep in mind that a flooring job can take three to five days but the specific length depends on several factors. Staining floors especially for first. Floor staining is difficult finicky work with unpredictable results.

How much flooring is involved. Put in fans in windows doors blowing in the house on one or two sides. If all else fails carmelize some onions and garlic and make burgers or patty melts for dinner. Place a fan into an opened window turned so that it blows out.

Light a few candles simmer some homemade potpourri. Just don t put fans blowing in all windows so air has an easier chance of escaping. Place the source of the strong stain odor outside during the day if possible. Reduce the impact of vocs while refinishing your hardwood floors by taking steps to maximize ventilation and direct vocs outdoors.

Clean the surface of the floor. Activated charcoal works well too. It would be better to open all windows partially than two windows fully. And even though most floors can be used within 24 hours of sealing it takes weeks for the treatment to cure fully.

Turn on exhaust fans if the smell is originating from a kitchen or bathroom. In some cases the stain may contain solvents that emit volatile organic compounds in the form of fumes as the stain dries. Keep windows and doors open as much as possible for ventilation. If you re working with stain on a project requiring that you use it indoors ventilation and time are the best ways to eliminate the odor completely the stain will eventually stop emitting gases that contain the odor.

Turn up the heat while opening windows across the house. If you have portable fans use them. If your floor is being finished by a professional and it s possible for you to leave the home it s best to stay away long enough for the finish to cure and the odor to disperse which usually takes about 48 hours. Make sure to take up cardboard at the end of every work day until the floors are fully cured if putting down for ongoing construction.