How to Stain Hardwood Floor

Why Stain Hardwood Floors?

Staining changes or deepens the color of your hardwood floor before sealing. It's done after sanding and before applying polyurethane. You can go darker, lighter (with bleaching), or simply enhance the natural wood tone. Staining is optional — if you love the natural color of your wood, you can skip straight to sealing.

Choose Your Stain

The two main options are:

• Stain + polyurethane combo — The Minwax PolyShades (Mission Oak, Satin) combines color and protection in one product, saving a step. Best for smaller areas or when you want a straightforward process.
• Separate stain + separate sealer — More control over color depth and finish sheen. Apply stain first, let it cure, then apply polyurethane separately.

Always test your chosen stain on an inconspicuous area or a scrap piece of the same wood species before committing to the full floor.

What You'll Need

• Minwax PolyShades Wood Stain + Polyurethane
• Microfiber applicator pads
• Clean lint-free cloths for wiping excess
• Painter's tape
• Knee pads
• Adequate ventilation

Step 1: Sand and Prep

The floor must be fully sanded, vacuumed, and wiped with a tack cloth before staining. Any dust, debris, or residue will show through the stain. The wood should be at 6–12% moisture content — check with a moisture meter before proceeding.

Step 2: Apply the Stain

1. Start in the corner farthest from the door so you don't paint yourself into a corner
2. Apply stain with a microfiber applicator pad or a natural bristle brush, working in the direction of the wood grain
3. Apply in manageable sections (2–3 board widths at a time)
4. Wipe away excess stain with a clean cloth before it dries — this controls the depth of color
5. The longer you leave stain before wiping, the darker the result

Step 3: Allow to Dry Fully

Oil-based stains typically need 8–24 hours to dry before applying sealer. Water-based stains dry faster (2–4 hours) but raise the wood grain slightly — a light 220-grit sanding after drying smooths this before sealing.

Step 4: Apply Polyurethane

Once the stain is fully dry, apply Minwax Water Based Polyurethane in thin, even coats with a microfiber applicator. Apply 2–3 coats, lightly sanding with 220 grit between each coat. See our full guide on how to seal hardwood floors for detailed instructions.

Common Staining Mistakes

• Not testing the color first — stain looks very different on different wood species
• Applying too much at once — causes blotching and uneven color
• Not wiping excess in time — stain that dries on the surface becomes sticky and uneven
• Staining over a dirty or dusty surface — dust particles show through the finish

Products Used in This Guide

• Minwax PolyShades Stain + Polyurethane Mission Oak Satin — stain and seal in one product
• Minwax Water Based Polyurethane Warm Satin — clear topcoat when using separate stain
• FONAROLL Microfiber Applicator Pads — smooth, even stain application
• General Tools MMD4E Digital Moisture Meter — confirm floor is dry before staining