Bleaching
Bleaching is a process which is used in order to turn hard wood floors into a lighter color. Bleach is applied onto the floor in order to change the wood's color to a lighter shade. Bleach is a very strong chemical, which burns the wood and dyes it into a color, which is closer to white.

Usually a stain is applied on top of the bleach. In most cases, white stain is used. White stain and bleach create an extraordinary effect, which makes the hard wood floor seem white, while the wood grain is still showing.

Another possibility is to use a stain, which is called "pickled oak". This stain is not completely white, but it is also very light. In some cases no stain is used, and the polyurethane coat is applied on top of the bleach.

This makes the floor look very light, but still blond like the natural wood color and not white. The main disadvantage of bleaching is that every scratch can be detected and is seen more clearly than when the floor is stained or left natural.