How to Stain White Oak Floors

When choosing stain for your white oak floors, keep the wood's original color tone in mind. If the wood appears to hold a yellowish, straw-colored hue, select a stain with yellow or golden undertones. If your white oak appears more brown, choose a predominantly brown stain. Regardless of what color stain you use, your white oak should accept the stain well, as it is an open-grained wood ideal for staining, according to Boston Architectural College.

• 1

  Dip a sponge into hot water. Wipe the white oak floor with the wet sponge, and allow it to dry.

• 2

  Sand the oak with 220-grit sandpaper, following the direction of the wood grain. Wipe the oak with tack cloth to remove excess dust.

• 3

  Dip a paint brush into the stain. Paint the stain onto the white oak. Allow it to sit for several minutes.

• 4

  Wipe the stain away with a cotton cloth. Determine whether the remaining color is as deep as you would like, and apply and remove more stain in the same manner if you decide you want a deeper color.