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Wiping up wet paint stain right after it spills is the best way to prevent a stain on your hardwood floors, but you may encounter paint stains that are old and already dry. Fortunately, you don't need to refinish or replace your hardwood floors because of a dried paint stain. There are a variety of methods you can use—including soap and water, a paint removal product, denatured alcohol, cleansing pads, and paint thinner—to remove paint on hardwood floors and get them looking brand new again.
Steps
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Check to see if the paint on the floor is water based. You can read the label on the can or look it up online. If the paint is water based, you should be able to lift it from the floor using soap and water. If you're not sure what kind of paint it is, try using soap and water first before moving on to a harsher removal method. [1] X Research source
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Add a drop of dish soap to a damp paper towel and rub the paint stain. Get every part of the stain wet using the paper towel. Continue rubbing back and forth over the stain for a few minutes. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Wipe off the paint stain using a dry rag. The paint should be wet from the soapy water and lift off easily. If the paint is still too dry, add more soapy water to the stain using a paper towel.
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Scrape off the remaining paint using a dull knife. Angle the knife and gently apply pressure to lift and peel the paint off the hardwood floor. [3] X Research source
- If you don't have a dull knife, try using the edge of a credit card.
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Pick up a paint removal product. There are many products on the market designed to remove paint from surfaces. Visit your local hardware or home improvement store and select a product like Goof-Off Paint Remover or OOPS! [4] X Research source
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Apply the paint remover to the stain. Use a cotton ball or swab to apply the product directly onto the stain. Try not to get the product on unstained areas of the hardwood. [5] X Research source
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Let the product soak for the recommended amount of time. Leave the solvent on the painted area for around 15 minutes to give it time to break down the paint. [6] X Research source
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Wipe away the residue. Use a rag or paper towels to clean up the paint and paint remover. If the area is greasy or slippery, clean it with mild soap and water to eliminate slip hazards. [7] X Research source
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Blot denatured alcohol onto the stain using a rag. You can find denatured alcohol at your local hardware store or online. [8] X Research source
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Let the denatured alcohol soak into the paint stain for several minutes. Give the alcohol time to absorb into the paint and break it up so it's easier to remove. [9] X Research source
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Use a scrub brush to scrub the paint off the hardwood floor. Apply pressure to the brush and scrub in a back and forth motion, bringing the bristles of the brush over the entire surface of the stain. [10] X Research source
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Rub off the remaining paint using the rag with denatured alcohol on it. Dispose of the rag when you're finished. [11] X Research source
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Wipe off any excess denatured alcohol with a paper towel. Make sure the area of hardwood floor is dry when you're finished. [12] X Research source
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Find alcohol-based cleansing pads at your local drug store. Look for cleansing pads designed to fight acne, as they'll have acids in them that will help break down the paint stain. [13] X Research source
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Scrub the paint stain on the floor using one of the cleansing pads. Hold the cleansing pad with your fingers and apply pressure as you rub it over the surface of the stain. [14] X Research source
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Use more cleansing pads until the paint has been lifted from the floor. Whenever a cleansing pad dries out or gets covered in paint, dispose of it and use a fresh one. [15] X Research source
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Opt to use paint thinner as a last resort. Paint thinner is a harsh solvent and should only be used if other cleaning methods were ineffective. Don't apply paint thinner to water-based paint. Use caution when applying paint thinner to hardwood floors, as it may damage the finish.
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Open any windows in the area you'll be working in. Place a box fan near one of the open windows to help keep the area well ventilated.
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Rub the paint stain with the part of the rag soaked in thinner. Apply pressure to the rag while repeatedly rubbing it back and forth over the stain. [18] X Research source
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Continue rubbing the stain until all of the paint is gone. Apply more paint thinner if the rag dries out and there's still more paint to be removed. Wipe off any excess paint thinner once the paint stain is gone.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you remove latex paint from hardwood floors?Mitchell Newman is the Principal at Habitar Design and its sister company Stratagem Construction in Chicago, Illinois. He has 20 years of experience in construction, interior design and real estate development.If you can get to a latex paint stain within 24 hours, it's easy to clean it with soap and water. After that, you can use a product like Goof Off, which is available at any hardware store. You just have to use it sparingly, or it might take the finish off your floor.
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Warnings
- Test your chosen solvent on an inconspicuous area first to determine if it will damage your floor.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Water
- Soap
- Paper towels
- Rags
- Dull knife
- Denatured alcohol
- Scrub brush
- Cleansing pads
- Paint thinner
References
- ↑ https://www.hunker.com/12001767/how-to-get-old-paint-off-a-wood-floor
- ↑ https://www.hunker.com/12001767/how-to-get-old-paint-off-a-wood-floor
- ↑ https://www.hunker.com/12001767/how-to-get-old-paint-off-a-wood-floor
- ↑ https://removeandreplace.com/2013/05/25/how-to-remove-paint-from-wood-flooring-diy/
- ↑ https://removeandreplace.com/2013/05/25/how-to-remove-paint-from-wood-flooring-diy/
- ↑ https://removeandreplace.com/2013/05/25/how-to-remove-paint-from-wood-flooring-diy/
- ↑ https://removeandreplace.com/2013/05/25/how-to-remove-paint-from-wood-flooring-diy/
- ↑ https://www.hunker.com/12001767/how-to-get-old-paint-off-a-wood-floor
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-remove-dried-paint-36717921
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-remove-dried-paint-36717921
- ↑ https://www.hunker.com/12001767/how-to-get-old-paint-off-a-wood-floor
- ↑ https://www.hunker.com/12001767/how-to-get-old-paint-off-a-wood-floor
- ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/tip-for-cleaning-dried-paint-off-hardwood-floor/
- ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/tip-for-cleaning-dried-paint-off-hardwood-floor/
- ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/tip-for-cleaning-dried-paint-off-hardwood-floor/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VRuFFqL9w&feature=youtu.be&t=28
- ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/painting/mineral-spirits-vs-paint-thinner/view-all/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VRuFFqL9w&feature=youtu.be&t=28
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you’ve recently spilled water-based paint on a hardwood floor, you may be able to clean it up with simple soap and water. Put a few drops of dish soap on a damp paper towel and rub the stain with it. Wipe up the wet paint residue with a dry rag. If any hardened paint is left behind, gently scrape it away with the edge of a dull knife or a credit card. For non-water-based paint or extra stubborn stains, you may need to soak the stain with a commercial paint remover or denatured alcohol. Let the product sit on the stain for a few minutes, then scrub the area with a rag or scrub brush and wipe the residue away with a rag or paper towel. To learn how to use paint thinner if nothing else removes the paint from your floors, scroll down!
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