How To Get Paint Off Hardwood Floors

As the old saying goes, accidents happen. And when it comes to abrasive and harmful materials ending up on our flooring, the adage holds true. Try as we might to avoid spills, stains, splatters, and messes from occurring in our home, such things are inevitable. Hardwood flooring, while not as vulnerable as something like carpet, is not immune to such accidents occurring.

Durable and attractive, hardwood flooring has been a staple in households for over a century. Renowned for its ease of maintenance, hardwood adds value to a home while offering unparalleled beauty. With that said, hardwood flooring is at risk of damage when it comes into contact with certain materials or substances. Chief among them: paint.

This blog post will highlight best practices for removing paint from hardwood floors:

Determine the type of paint:

When deciding how to clean the paint that has spilled onto your hardwood, you must first determine whether the spill is an oil-based or water-based paint. The best way to do this, per Dunn Edwards Paints, is to wet a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and wipe it over the paint. If any paint residue is found on the cotton ball, then it is water-based. If not, then it is oil-based.

If the paint is water-based:

Water-based paint is typically easier to remove than oil-based. The first method you should try is mixing warm water with liquid soap, dipping a cloth in the mixture, and scrubbing the paint. This should loosen it. Any remaining debris can be removed with a putty knife.

If your first attempt wasn’t successful, you can try rubbing alcohol to remove the paint. For this method, start by scraping away as much paint as you can with a putty knife. Once finished, mix three parts rubbing alcohol with one part lemon juice. Dip a cloth in the substance and let it sit on the paint for 5-10 minutes. From there, you will use the cloth to scrub away the paint. The remaining pieces should loosen and disappear from your hardwood.

If the paint is oil-based:

If the paint is oil-based, then your cleaning options are more limited. The best method for cleaning oil-based paint off your hardwood is to use paint remover or paint thinner. Make sure when using paint remover/thinner on your floors that you open windows and use a fan to ventilate.

Removing Paint From Your Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood, while durable and low maintenance, can fall victim to damage if not cared for. Whether it is paint spills, scuffs, scratches, or something else, addressing hardwood damage quickly is the best way to mitigate potential harm and ensure that your hardwood remains looking its best.

Are you interested in learning more about removing paint from your hardwood flooring or thinking of getting some beautiful new hardwood flooring installed? Contact the team at Dolphin Carpet today!