How To Remove Paint From Hardwood Floors Safely

How to remove oil based paint from wood floors with paint thinner.

How to remove paint from hardwood floors safely.

Dried paint can be a challenge to remove from hardwood flooring without causing major damage especially if the paint is oil based. To remove paint on hardwood floors start by adding a drop of dish soap to a damp paper towel and rubbing the paint stain. Remove stuck on residue. If scraping ragging and heating don t do diddly you ll need to resort to a solvent to break down the paint.

Open up windows and get a fan going in the area to keep it well ventilated this odorless paint thinner is another option. Caution must be taken to prevent harming the finish or gouging the wood. Soak a rag not a towel but a microfiber rag or similar with the solvent and rub carefully so you don t harm the wood finish by mistake says macmillan. Removing paint spills from linoleum or vinyl floors without damaging the surface can be tricky.

If that doesn t take the paint off use a rag to blot denatured alcohol on the stain let it soak in for a few minutes then scrub it with a brush. After that rub the paint off with your rag and wipe away any excess. For latex drips try denatured alcohol or a product like goof off both available in paint and hardware stores. Dip a rag.

Many chemical cleaners are too harsh to use on this type of floor but there are methods to safely lift dried paint. Ok no really if none of the above methods work to remove paint spills and you know the paint is oil based it s time to try paint thinner.