Tripod member lfinegan asks:
I have a new house and have experimented (successfully) with sanding and staining the softwood floorboards. I do however think that they would look better if I could get a slightly lighter color. I have heard about bleaching the floor to lighten them initially. Will this make any difference to new (if dirty) boards? What kind or brand of bleach should I use and what is the procedure?

Handy Girl Al suggests:
The best way to get a new lighter color on your floors is to sand them down and start over. If the floors have already been treated with any lacquer finish, this is your only option. Untreated wood can be bleached with commercial wood bleach. Bleach is applied, allowed to sit (as long as overnight) and neutralized with a second solution; the wood is then washed, dried, sanded, and stained (if desired).

Non-lacquered stained wood can be bleached, but there's no guarantee that it will lighten consistently. Always do an out-of-the-way small test area first. Bleach is a noxious chemical — make sure there is adequate ventilation and always wear protective clothing, gloves, and eye gear. Essentially, bleaching is a simple process for a wooden table top, but a messy task for a whole floor. You'll find wood bleach in your local hardware store.

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