How long does it take for stained hardwood floors to dry?

Each coat of polyurethane usually needs 24 hrs to dry and a stain will need 24 hrs to dry…but if it’s a darker stain, it could take 36 or even 48 hrs for the stain to dry. So, in the case of a dark stain that needs 2 days to dry and if you apply 3 coats of poly, you are up to 5 days.

How do you get moisture out of hardwood floors?





Use a dehumidifier placed at the highest setting possible to dry the floors. Place it in the center of the room and leave it on for at least 24 hours. Next, place fans around the room so the entire surface receives the blowing air. Place the fans at the highest settings possible.

How do you dry stained hardwood floors?

While you can apply stain at temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the ideal temperature 70 to 75 degrees. Cooler temperatures may slow the drying time by several hours. In addition, if the humidity is high, it takes longer for the moisture to evaporate from the floors, also slowing the drying time.

How long do stained floors need to cure?

The manufacturer recommends the following for floors finished with Bona Traffic HD: The curing process takes approximately 3 days (80% cured after 1 day, 100% after 3 days). The floor may be walked on after 24 hours, but remains susceptible to scuffing or marring until completely cured.

How long should I wait to polyurethane after staining?

In general, you should wait between 24-48 hours for the stain to dry before polyurethane. If you don’t want to take any chances or think the stain might not be dry enough, wait an extra day before applying poly.

What happens if you put too much stain on wood?





If applied too thickly, they won’t dry properly and will remain tacky to the touch. This can also happen if the wood wasn’t stripped and sanded completely down to bare wood, since the stain will sit on the surface rather than soaking into the wood.

What draws moisture out of wood?

Place a dehumidifier in the center of the room once all of the standing water is removed. Set it to the highest extraction setting possible. Turn it on and leave it running for at least 24 hours to pull moisture from the boards. Place fans blowing across the surface to further aid in drying the wood out.

Does baking soda draw out moisture?

Get rid of the smell with baking soda

The baking soda not only absorbs moisture, but it’ll also absorb any nasty odours. As it soaks up moisture, baking soda cakes up, making it easy to remove after the fact – just go over your carpet with a vacuum once it’s dry and you’re set.

Will a dehumidifier dry wet wood?



Dry the Affected Areas

The heat will help evaporate the moisture faster. If the water-damaged wood is in an enclosed space, consider using a dehumidifier. For example, if your wooden cabinet has sustained water damage, set the dehumidifier up in front of the open cabinet door and allow it to run.

How long does it take for polyurethane to dry on hardwood floors?

Polyurethane dries in 24-48 hours and takes about 30 days to fully cure. Your new hardwood floor is installed, and just one more thing needs to be done to protect the wood and bring out that beautiful grain.

How long does it take polyurethane to dry on wood?



Water-based polyurethane can dry on hardwood floors in as little as 4 hours. After this, you may walk on the floor with socks. Within three days you can start moving furniture back on it. However, it may take up to 21 days for water-based polyurethane to fully cure.

How many coats of polyurethane should you put on hardwood floors?

We recommend at least 2 coats of oil based polyurethane + a lacquer sealer coat as a minimum for hardwood flooring. Extra coats = extra protection, but only one coat of oil based polyurethane may be applied per day, as it needs 24 hours to dry before applying another coat.

How long before you can walk on a stained wood floor?

24 hours

You typically must wait 24 hours before being able to walk safely on the floor again, and as long as 72 hours before replacing furniture in the room. The drying period is a little annoying, but for a beautiful new finish and a dramatically transformed room, the wait’s worth it.

Can you walk on hardwood floors after staining?



On average, you can walk on the floors approximately 24 hours after the application of the final coat. We recommend that for hours 24-48 that you wear socks only – no shoes, no bare feet. Click here for more info on How long does it take to refinish hardwood floors.

Can you sleep in your house after staining floors?

It is a terrible idea to sleep or stay in a house after staining floors. The stain fumes are often overwhelming and highly toxic. In addition, exposure to such a stinky smell for long periods of time can trigger severe breathing problems and other health issues to both humans and pets.

How long do you have to stay off refinished hardwood floors?

A: It is recommended to stay off the floors for up to 24 hours after the final coat is applied to the floors. For the first 48 hours we recommend that you wear socks only, no shoes or bare feet.

How long does it take for polyurethane to dry on hardwood floors?

Polyurethane dries in 24-48 hours and takes about 30 days to fully cure. Your new hardwood floor is installed, and just one more thing needs to be done to protect the wood and bring out that beautiful grain.

How many coats of polyurethane should you put on hardwood floors?



We recommend at least 2 coats of oil based polyurethane + a lacquer sealer coat as a minimum for hardwood flooring. Extra coats = extra protection, but only one coat of oil based polyurethane may be applied per day, as it needs 24 hours to dry before applying another coat.

How long does it take for polyurethane to dry?

Polyurethane takes 2 to 24 hours to dry, and cures in 30 days. The drying time is determined by the type of polyurethane you use. For instance, Water-based polyurethane dries in about 2 hours while oil-based polyurethane needs about 8 hours to dry.

What do you do when polyurethane won’t dry?

If you have already applied the polyurethane and it isn’t drying, you can try applying heat—for example, from a heat lamp or blow dryer. It will speed the drying, just not very much.

What happens if polyurethane gets wet while drying?

Before getting upset, check whether the polyurethane has actually dried. If you’re using water-based material, it’s common for it to appear milky before it dries. The color comes from the emulsion that carries the resins. If the finish is still wet, just wait — the milkiness should disappear.

How long does it take for Minwax stain to dry?

Minwax water-based stain – it takes approximately 3 hours to dry. General finishes wood stain, which takes around 3 to 4 hours drying time.

Will tacky stain eventually dry?

That sticky pigment mess will never dry, no matter how long you wait. This is why it’s crucial to wipe off any excess before the solvents evaporate. If you’re in situation where it’s too late for that, keep reading! I detail how to remove tacky wood stain later in the article!

How can I make wood stain dry faster?

How to Make Stain Dry Faster (10 ways)

  1. Add a Compatible Drying Agent to the Wood Stains. …
  2. Use a Space Heater. …
  3. Turn Up the Thermostat. …
  4. Use a Dehumidifier. …
  5. Use Your Indoor Air Conditioners to Decrease the Indoor Humidity Level. …
  6. Use Portable Fans or Your Overhead Fan to Increase the Airflow. …
  7. Open the Windows to Increase Airflow.