A wood stain which is water-based, which is suitable for staining wood, and which is comprised of water; at least one dye selected from the group consisting of azo, diazo and triarylmethane dyes; and a stabilizing agent which is effective to reduce free iron ion concentration in the stain when in contact with an autoclave composed of non-rust resistant steel during the staining process. The stabilizing agent includes at least one buffer effective to maintain the pH of the wood stain at greater than 7.0. Alternatively or additionally, the stabilizing agent includes at least one complexing agent which forms a complex with iron ions.