Use Soap And Water To Remove Paint From Laminate Floors
All laminate flooring has a stain repellent coating that prevents paint and other liquids from seeping into the material. This protective coating is what makes laminate and vinyl flooring so easy to clean.
Using soap and water is a very quick and simple method to clean paint from laminate floors.
Materials required:
- Soap or detergent
- Cotton cloth or rag
How To Tell What Type Of Paint You Have Spilled On Your Hardwood Floors
Before we get into how to remove paint from hardwood floors, its vital to know what type of paint you have spilled, as this will greatly improve your success in removing the paint and help you out with which one of these methods you will want to use.
The first thing you will want to do is check the can or bottle of paint that you used. The packaging will tell you what the type of paint is. It will either be water-based, latex-based, or oil-based paint. In cases where you maybe dont have the packaging anymore or it has rubbed away, you can saturate a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and pat it on a small patch of the painted floor. If the paint comes off it is either water or latex based. If none of it comes off, then you have an oil-based paint stain on your hardwood floor.
Rubbing Alcohol And Lemon Juice
A rubbing alcohol solution is a good option for removing paint from hardwood floors.
How to remove paint from a hardwood floor with alcohol:
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How To Remove Paint From Hardwood Floors
If youre wondering how to remove paint from hardwood floors, then the good news is there are at least 8 different ways to do this, including using soap and water, using denatured alcohol, using a heat gun, using paint thinner and sanding the paint.
Read on to discover exactly which of these methods to remove dried paint you should use and how to implement them.
When To Call A Professional

Anytime you are working on a hardwood floor issue, you should consider consulting a local professional contractor. If you have concerns about who to hire, reach out to your local home inspection team. Additionally, anytime you are tasked with a large undertaking, you want to know everything that might be involved.
Having a home inspection team out can give you ideas as to other projects to complete. Also, they will also refer the best and most reputable professional contractor to assist with your projects and this could save time and money.
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How Can I Remove Old Paints From Hardwood Floors
Getting rid of Old Paints is a different ball game altogether. They are more willful and more difficult to get rid of.
One thing that we suggest is to never lose patience you will not like it if the floor gets harmed during the process.
Denature alcohol is the right agent for this kind of scenario. Dab denatured alcohol, which can be easily obtainable from most building supply store.
Apply the solution on a rag or a cloth.
Denatured alcohol will easily remove the stains without having much of an influence on the wooden floor.
Keep rubbing it tenderly until the stain is completely lifted off from the hardwood floor. Dry the floor completely by using a paper towel.
Make you get rid of the rag you do not want that lying around in the house as it can affect health and whatnot.
Removing Paint With Boiling Water And Baking Soda
This is an easy method for pant removal however, it can only be done on metal hardware. Place your item into the boiling water that also contains baking soda and leave it to boil for about 20 minutes. Remove any loose paint still on the item with a toothbrush.
The pot you use this method for should not be a pot you usually cook with. The trick behind this effective method has to do with the expansion rates of the paint and metal. Once these two components are heated, the bond they have breaks and the paint comes off.
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How To Remove Water
For dried water-based paint, start with good, old soap and water. Color Trends Painting suggests you mix warm water with a mild soap and begin scrubbing off the paint with a dampened rag. The paint should loosen, allowing you to wipe it away with a dry rag. If it needs an extra bit of oomph, carefully use a putty knife to scrape off the paint, and, of course, be careful not to damage the surface of the floor.
How To Remove Old Paint From Hardwood Floors
Say you just moved into a house that has seen better days, and the paint is old and dull. To make it comfortable, you will need to remove the old paint and then replace it with a fresh coat.
There are a number of methods you can use to improve this kind of situation.
Whatever you choose, test out on an inconspicuous area first before going all-in on a large surface.
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Use A Mild Cleaning Detergent
Dampen a clean rag with a drop of dishwashing soap and dab on every part of the stain with the cloth.
Buff the cleaner into the floor for a few minutes before wiping out the stain using a dry and absorbent rag.
The soapy water softens the paint making it easy to lift off the floor. Finally, use a blunt knife to scratch off any residual paint layer and sweep the floor surface.
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How To Remove Paint From Wood Floor Without Damaging The Finish
The best ways to remove paint from hardwood floors without damaging the finish include the following methods.
- Using paint thinner
- Using an acetone based cleaner
All of these methods to remove paint from a wood floor without damaging the finish have step by step instructions that have already been detailed earlier in this article.
Before you decide which method to use, you will need to determine whether the paint youre trying to remove is water based paint, or oil based paint.
Read this section of the article to find an easy way to figure that out the type of paint. The reason why its important to know the type of paint is because some paint removal methods wont work on oil based paint and vice versa.
Be prepared that paint removal from wood flooring could result in some very slight damage to the finish. Or some type of minor discoloration, no matter which method you choose. But having some small areas or spots of slight discoloration is more preferable to having spots and areas of unwanted unsightly paint.
Further, there are always materials and varnishes that you can use to cover the slight discolorations in the wood.
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How To Remove Dried Paint From Floor Step By Step
Step 1: Plug in the steamer to a power source.
Step 2: Hold the steamer about three inches away from the surface of the floor. Hold it there for about 20 seconds.
Step 3: Check for bubbles beginning to form on the latex paint surface.
Step 4: Use your putty knife to scrape off the latex paint from wood floors.
Step 5: Repeat the process on all the areas where you want to remove the latex paint.
Step 6: Dispose of the debris appropriately, switch off the steamer and store it well.
Try To Peel Off Newly Dry Paint

‘First, try to slowly and gently pick at and peel up the paint drip with your fingernail. Most of the time with a little prodding the paint will literally just pop off in one piece.’ This is thanks to the latex content in the paint, which makes it a little rubbery when it’s only just dried.
A plastic tool like a putty spreader could also be used as it will lift the paint without scratching the floor below.
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Using Commercial Paint Removers For The Job
Meanwhile, if you hate DIY solutions for removing those stubborn paint stains then you can go to your nearby hardware or home improvement store to purchase a commercial paint remover solution.
In line with this, some of the best floor cleaning service providers use this approach since it is convenient and cost-efficient. Also, these products are engineered not to harm your hardwood floor finish, while removing those paint stains.
When you have your commercial paint remover, spray a sufficient amount on the stained portion and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. After, rub the stained area with a rag or paper towel to remove the residues. You can also use a putty knife to facilitate your scraping process.
Remove Paint Splash With Warm Water
One of the easiest methods includes warm water application on the affected area. However, it will work or not depending on the type of paint used. For oil-based formula, it may be less effective. But for the water-based formula, it will do the best job. Probably for how to remove paint without using chemicals, knowing procedure is essential. Lets follow the steps below:
- Take a bucket of warm water, not too hot.
- Put a piece of cloth in the bucket and then rinse it to remove extra water.
- Place it onto the paint splash and remove the paint.
- Repeat this procedure again if the paint is still there.
- Wait for it to dry completely.
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Diy: Remove Paint From Hardwood Floors
If youve decided to remove carpeting to show off the hardwood floors underneath and discovered really old paint spots, there is a safe way to remove them. Or if youve recently painted your walls and ceiling and found residual evidence of that on your floors, you can remove these spots too. In either case, get ready to apply some elbow grease and equip yourself with patience. The key to removing paint spots from hardwood flooring is not to damage the wood. If you get in a hurry or use chemicals that are too harsh, you stand the chance of having to call in a professional to fix the damage.
Use A Heat Gun To Erase Paint Marks
Heat is always effective in meltdown and decomposes paint particles. For wood, the best heat source is a heat gun that is handheld and can be taken anywhere easily. Follow the steps to know how to remove paint through heat:
- Plug the heat gun and hold it at the position of about 6 to 8 inches away from the wood surface.
- Throw heat directly on pain splash to melt it or soften it
- Rub it off when it loses wood surface or use a putty knife to scratch it away.
So, do this procedure under strict gun control.
Change this door into wooden other door with other colour
Have a look at this video if you want to remove paint spots from the furniture.
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Lemon Juice And Rubbing Alcohol
The next step up from soapy water is lemon juice and rubbing alcohol.
This is a solid combination to remove dried paint from your wood floor, or to help lift stubborn paint stains.
This can also be a better option than soapy water for larger paint stains or if you need to remove paint from a large area, even if its only a little bit of paint splatter across that area.
The good news is that this option of removing paint is non-toxic, though you still might want some protection from the alcohol fumes.
The bad news is that you will need a little more equipment to remove paint with lemon juice and alcohol. Heres what you need:
- Rubbing alcohol/isopropyl alcohol/ any kind of high-proof cleaning alcohol.
- A wood scrub brush
- A bucket or bowl for the lemon juice and alcohol mix
- A rigid plastic putty knife or paint scraper
- a face mask or respirator
A respirator is a good option if youre dealing with paint in an enclosed area and dont really have a good way to get more airflow where youre going to be working. Otherwise, a simple mask, or even just having a fan on nearby will help manage any alcohol fumes you might be dealing with.
Its also important to know that alcohol can be very drying for your wood floor, and you should make sure the alcohol is safe to use with any varnish or finishing layer that seals your wood floor.
Just like working with soapy water, this method is very quick and easy and can remove paint without a ton of work.
Removing Latex Paint Stains On Your Wooden Floor
Latex paints are water-soluble types, so you can fairly use your rubbing alcohol to safely remove it. Here are the steps you need to follow:
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Try Paint Thinner For Oil
Paint thinner is a good option for removing oil-based paints.
It dilutes the paint and changes how the paint works so that its easier to remove without staining.
The dissolved paint can be wiped up with a damp rag, and you can apply more paint thinner to remove any remaining paint in layers.
Anytime youre working with paint thinner, you need good ventilation and protective equipment for your hands, nose/mouth, and eyes.
Additionally, this option only works for relatively fresh paint, its not a good option if the paint is completely dry.
How To Remove Paint From A Hardwood Floor Using Paint Thinners

Ensure you use a paint thinner specific to the type of paint on your wood floor surface for best results.
Apply the paint thinner to the paint and let it sit for a while. Then use a pull scraper to remove the softened paint stains from the wood.
Once all the paint has come off, give it a final wipe with a damp rag.
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How To Remove Paint Off Floors Through Sanding
Start by plugging your sander into a power source. Then, begin sanding the old paint using 60 grit sandpaper to remove the thick, old layers of paint.
Subsequently, shift to 80-grit, then 120-grit sanders to remove stubborn paint from hard-to-reach areas of the floor, between floorboards, and even out the wood.
Finally, wipe the hardwood floor surface with a cleansing pad and dispose of the chipped paint appropriately.
Lemon Juice And Rubbing Alcohol Works Here Too
The acid of lemon juice and drying power of alcohol can be effective for latex paint as well as water-based paint.
Mix this the same way you would for other kinds of paint. Thats about 1/4 lemon juice to up to 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol.
You can scrub with this mixture to lift wet paint and prevent staining, just use a wet rag thats been soaked in the mixture.
For dried paint, lay the soaked rag over the paint for a few minutes until the paint starts to wrinkle, then scrub.
Avoid using a hard-sided scraper or rough scrub brushes because this combination can make the wood floor under the paint more vulnerable to damage.
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Using Commercial Products To Get Paint Off Wood Floors
If youd rather use a commercial paint remover like Goof Off, many are available at your local home improvement store. However, its essential to read the product label before using it to ensure you choose the right one for your paint type.
Follow the instructions for your paint remover brand and apply it to the paint with a cotton ball or swab. Let the remover sit for about 15 minutes to soften the stain, and use a plastic scraper to pull the paint off the floor. Wipe the area clean with a paper towel or clean cloth.
Use paint remover to strip paint from old cabinets, as well. Its helpful to remove the doors and hinges first.
When In Doubt Goof
Now if this method still doesnt remove the paint stain, you can try using Goof-Off, a popular household stain remover. Is that tough wood floor paint stain still in sight? For more advanced wood floor cleaning that requires specialized, professional care, consider COIT Cleaning services. Don’t forget to check our discounts!
Remember to always do a spot removal test on a portion of carpet or upholstery that is normally not visible. These are suggested treatments only and COIT can’t be held accountable for any damage sustained by use of the treatments in this spot removal guide.
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