Hardwood floors add a rustic charm to your home but they, like every other flooring require maintenance to remain in the best shape. While the usual dirt and debris can be removed from them by simple mopping and vacuuming, it is the removal of paint marks that most people get concerned about. When pain stains are old and stubborn, removing them from the hardwood floors without damaging the finish is at times, really hard.
So, if you have accidentally spilled paint on your hardwood floors, the sooner you deal with it the better for you. The trick is to know the kind of paint you need to get rid of and accordingly choose the right method. This is exactly what we are going to discuss in our today’s article.
Let’s start.
How to Get Rid of Paint from Hardwood Floors
As mentioned earlier, the type of paint you have to deal with is a very important factor when it comes to getting rid of them from the hardwood floors. So, your very first step will be to determine whether the paint is water-based, oil-based, or is it latex. For that, you can simply take rubbing alcohol and dip a cotton ball in it. Then on a small portion of the paint, rub it. If you see the paint coming off, it is either water-based or latex. If that is not the case, then you are dealing with oil-based paint.
Once you have identified that, choose from among the below-mentioned techniques to get the paint off from the hardwood floors that suit your purpose the most.
For water-based paints
1. Use soap and water
If you have to remove water-based paint from your hardwood floors, the easiest way to get it done is by using water as it naturally is a paint thinner here.
- Take some warm water in a bucket.
- Choose a mild dishwashing liquid and mix it with the water to form a soapy solution.
- Now, take a cotton rag, dip it in the mixture, get rid of the excess water, and rub it over the paint.
- If your paint is new and wet, it should come off easily. But, if it has gotten slightly stubborn, it is recommended that you wet the paint and let it result for some time before trying to remove it. Repeat the process till all the paint has come off.
- Once the paint is gone, use a dry rag to remove the excess moisture from the floor.
2. Use lemon juice and rubbing alcohol
Another very natural way of getting rid of the water-based paints from the hardwood floors is by using lemon juice and rubbing alcohol.
- Take a container and mix lemon juice and rubbing alcohol in a 1 : 3 ratio. The overall amount should be determined depending on the area of the floor you need to cover.
- Then take a cotton rag, dip it in the solution and rub it over the paint.
- Let it stay for 15 minutes and then wipe it in circular strokes. For stubborn marks, you can use a floor scrub brush.
- Repeat until the floor is completely rid of paint stains.
For latex paint
The mixture of lemon juice and rubbing alcohol is effective for getting rid of latex paint from the hardwood floors, but in case yours is too stubborn for that, you can go for another method to get the job done.
1. Use paint stripper
One of the best ways to remove latex paint from the hardwood floors is by using a paint stripper but remember that the chemicals emitted during this process can be hazardous, so you need to protect yourself fully.
- Put on your goggles, face mask, and gloves. After that, ensure that the room is properly ventilated.
- Take a plastic bowl and put some paint stripper in it.
- Now, apply a general amount of it over the paint using a paintbrush. Allow it to rest for about half an hour.
- Once you notice some bubbles, take a paint scraper and use it to get rid of the paint.
- Repeat the process until all of the paint has come off.
- If you notice trapped paint in between flashboards, scrub with mineral spirits and steel wool balls.
- After that, wipe the floor with a damp rag and let it dry.
For oil-based paint
Old and dried oil-based paint marks are thought to be very stubborn but you can deal with them with the right method.
1. Sanding is effective
Sanding is very effective in removing any paint mark, so if you have to deal with old and dried oil-based paint, go for it.
Here you will require a power sander, palm sandpaper, 60, 80, and 120 grit sandpapers, a vacuum cleaner, a face mask, gloves, and a cotton rag. So, gather all of these first.
- Take the sander and turn it on.
- Start sanding using the 60-grit sandpaper. Remember that the lesser the grit, the more the paint will come off.
- Vacuum the spot and then re-sand the floors with the 80 grit one.
- After that, go for another round of sanding using the 120-grit sandpaper. At the end of it, hopefully, you will be successful in getting rid of the stubborn oil-based paint. If not sand another time.
- Vacuum the floors and then give a proper wipe using a clean cotton rag.
2. Use paint thinners
Paint thinners like acetone and turpentine are good to get rid of paint from the hardwood floors. You may use them instead of sanding if you find the latter to be difficult. Choose a good paint thinner and buy it online or from the local store.
- Take a rag and soak it in the paint thinner.
- Rub the floors with a rag to dissolve the paint.
- Repeat the process unless you are satisfied with the results.
- After that, take a damp rag and wipe the floor with it to get rid of any residue.
Over to you
Dealing with paint marks is not difficult if you use the right technique. Hopefully, you will find the job easier now.