How to Remove Paint from your Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are a great investment for your home because they are durable and resilient. However, life happens! Things get spilled, paint gets splattered, and scratches happen. But there is an easy solution! Continue reading to learn more about how you can prevent permanent damage to your floors and when accidents do happen, how you can treat them.

The easiest way to prevent permanent damage and make it easier to clean up after accidents is to apply a protective coating to your hardwood flooring. Using a wax or polyurethane solution will allow your hardwood floors to hold up against common household damage and make cleaning up after an accident easier. The best method of cleaning paint splatter and other spills is to act fast. If you notice a splatter or spill, wipe it up as soon as possible and if it’s still wet, it should come up fairly easily. If you found a stain that’s already dried up, here are some simple solutions using commonly-found household items:

Water-based Paints

With Soap and Water. To remove a water-based paint with soap and water, mix warm water with a mild soap and dab onto the paint stain using a rag. Carefully scrub the stain away until the paint is lifted and able to be wiped away with a dry rag. If the paint still hasn’t lifted, gently scrape the remaining paint with a putty knife, or something similar, and repeat the process until the entire paint stain is removed. Be sure to completely dry the area after removal to prevent water damage. 

With Rubbing Alcohol. This process is very similar to soap and water but may require less “elbow grease.” First, gently scrape as much paint off the surface as you can with a putty knife or something similar. Then, wet a rag with rubbing alcohol and rub the remaining stain until completely removed. 

What if the paint is oil-based? While most craft paints (acrylic) and interior house paints (latex) are water-based, oil-based paints are becoming more popular as a common household paint because of its durability. However, it’s not as convenient to remove as water-based paints.

Oil-based Paints

With Paint Thinner. Paint thinner is the best solution to use to remove oil-based paints from your hardwood floors. It is a chemical compound that breaks down paint. For the best results, wet a rag in a small area with paint thinner and gently rub over the paint stain until removed. Be careful as the paint thinner could damage the finish on your hardwood floors if you rub too deep. Also, keep the area well ventilated as the fumes from paint thinner could be strong. 

With a Heat Gun. While this isn’t necessarily a common household item, it is one that provides an effective solution to stubborn paint stains. Just as it sounds, this tool will heat the paint to where it is easy to scrape off with a putty knife.

Accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared when they do. Remember, the first course of action is to clean up a spill or stain before it sets it into your floors. Cleaning it while wet is the best way to prevent permanent damage. But, if it’s already too late for that, following these quick and easy techniques will get your hardwoods looking like new again. When in doubt, call the professionals at Zack Hardwood Flooring!