How To Keep Fumes Down When Staining Floor

Open all windows to cross ventilate fresh air in and smelly air out.

How to keep fumes down when staining floor.

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. Place the source of the strong stain odor outside during the day if possible. Light a few candles simmer some homemade potpourri. Turn up the heat while opening windows across the house.

If you have portable fans use them. 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. Just don t put fans blowing in all windows so air has an easier chance of escaping.

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. It is advisable with hardwax natural oil finishes to use cardboard in the high traffic areas if moving in furniture prior to full cure. Staining floors especially for first. If all else fails carmelize some onions and garlic and make burgers or patty melts for dinner.

Floors finished with hardwax oils are useable for light traffic in 36 hours. Put in fans in windows doors blowing in the house on one or two sides. Keep in mind that a flooring job can take three to five days but the specific length depends on several factors. Even flooring professionals lose sleep over this process because there are dozens of variables that can make staining go wrong.

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. And when it does go wrong the only solution is to re sand the floor and start all over from the beginning. 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. To minimize the dangers of polyurethane vapors always apply the finishes in a well ventilated space wear a face mask and eye protection and don t smoke.

How much flooring is involved. Odors from stain and polyurethane can remain in the air for several days. In some cases the stain may contain solvents that emit volatile organic compounds in the form of fumes as the stain dries. Floor staining is difficult finicky work with unpredictable results.

Reduce the impact of vocs while refinishing your hardwood floors by taking steps to maximize ventilation and direct vocs outdoors. Activated charcoal works well too. Place a fan into an opened window turned so that it blows out. Turn on exhaust fans if the smell is originating from a kitchen or bathroom.