How to Sand Wooden Floors Before Staining

Staining hardwood floors brings out their natural beauty, but the secret to an even, professional look is sanding first. Proper sanding removes scratches, levels uneven boards, and opens the grain for stain absorption. Here’s a full guide to sanding wooden floors before staining.

Why Sand Floors Before Staining?

Sanding eliminates old finishes and imperfections while ensuring stain penetrates evenly. Without sanding, stain can look blotchy, highlight scratches, or fail to bond properly.

Tools You’ll Need

• Drum sander or orbital floor sander
• Edge sander for corners
• 9x11 in sandpaper sheets for detail sanding
• Vacuum and tack cloth
• Protective gear: respirator, goggles, ear protection

Best Grit Sequence for Floor Sanding

• 36–40 grit: Removes old finish and deep scratches.
• 60–80 grit: Smooths boards and blends surfaces.
• 100–120 grit: Final pass for stain-ready finish.

Step-by-Step: Sanding Floors for Stain

1. Prep the room. Remove furniture and cover vents to reduce dust spread.
2. Start with coarse grit. Use 40 grit (25-pack) to strip finishes and flatten uneven areas.
3. Smooth with medium grit. Apply 80 grit (50-pack) for blending and smoothing.
4. Finish with fine grit. Use 120 grit (100-pack) to prep for stain absorption.
5. Edge sanding. Sand corners and edges with sandpaper sheets and a block.
6. Clean thoroughly. Vacuum and wipe with tack cloth before staining.

Special Cases

For engineered hardwood, avoid aggressive sanding—start with 80 grit to prevent sanding through the veneer. For antique floors, consider lighter sanding to preserve character.

Pro Tips

• Sand in the direction of the wood grain whenever possible.
• Replace sandpaper frequently—floor sanding wears sheets quickly.
• Do multiple light passes instead of forcing coarse grit too aggressively.

Aftercare

• Apply stain immediately after sanding to avoid dust contamination.
• Protect floors with rugs and pads under furniture.
• Recoat floors with polyurethane as needed for long-term durability.

FAQs

• Do I need to sand to bare wood? Yes—for best stain absorption, remove all old finishes.
• What grit is best before staining? 100–120 grit provides smoothness without closing the grain.
• Can I hand sand small areas? Yes—use sandpaper sheets for edges, corners, or repairs.

Watch & Learn

For professional hardwood refinishing, use eQualle’s 9x11 in sandpaper sheets, available in coarse to fine grits. Shop floor sanding sheets here.