Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 5: Use soap and water to remove water-based paint
• Method 2 of 5: Try a paint remover
• Method 3 of 5: Remove paint with methylated spirits
• Method 4 of 5: Remove paint with cleaning wipes
• Method 5 of 5: Using paint thinner
• Warnings
• Necessities

Wiping up wet paint immediately after spillage is the best way to avoid staining your hardwood floor. However, you may come across paint stains that are old and have already dried. Fortunately, you don't have to repaint or replace your hardwood floor because you have a dried paint stain. There are several remedies you can use - such as soap and water, paint remover, methylated spirits, cleaning wipes, and paint thinner - to remove paint from your hardwood floor to make it look like new again.

To step

Method 1 of 5: Use soap and water to remove water-based paint

1. Check that the paint on the floor is water-based. You can read the text on the paint can or look up information on the internet. If the paint is water based, you should be able to remove it from the floor with soap and water. If you are unsure of the type of paint, try removing the paint with soap and water before using a more aggressive agent. EXPERT TIP

   Put a drop of dish soap on a damp paper towel and wipe it over the paint stain. Wet the stain completely with the paper towel. Continue rubbing the stain back and forth for a few minutes.

2. Wipe the paint stain with a dry cloth. The paint should be wet from the soapy water and be easy to remove. If the paint is still too dry, apply more soapy water to the stain with a paper towel.
3. Scrape off the last remnants of paint with a dull knife. Tilt the blade and apply light pressure to push the paint up and off the hardwood floor.
   • If you don't have a dull knife, use the edge of a debit card.

Method 2 of 5: Try a paint remover

1. Buy a special paint remover. There are many products for sale that are specially formulated to remove paint from surfaces. Go to a hardware store near you and choose a product from a brand like HG, Alabastine or De Parel.
2. Apply the paint remover to the stain. Use a cotton ball or cotton swab to apply the product to the stain. Do not get the product on unstained parts of the floor.
3. Let the agent soak in the paint as long as recommended on the packaging. Let the solvent soak into the paint for about 15 minutes so that it can break down the paint.
4. Wipe away the residue. Use a rag or paper towels to wipe away the paint and paint remover. If the area is greasy and slippery, clean it with water and mild soap so that it does not slip.

Method 3 of 5: Remove paint with methylated spirits

1. Dab methylated spirits on the stain with a cloth. Spiritus can be purchased at a hardware store and online.
2. Let the methylated spirits soak into the paint stain for a few minutes. Allow the methylated spirits to soak into the paint and break it down to make it easier to remove the stain.
3. Scrub the paint off the hardwood floor with a scrub brush. Apply pressure with the brush and scrub in a back and forth motion, sweeping over the entire stain with the bristles of the brush.
4. Wipe off the last remnants of paint with the rag containing methylated spirits. Discard the rag when you are done.
5. Wipe off the residual methylated spirits with a paper towel. Make sure the area on the hardwood floor is dry when you're done.

Method 4 of 5: Remove paint with cleaning wipes

1. Look for cleaning wipes with alcohol at your local drug store. Look for acne-fighting wipes as they contain acids that help break down the paint stain.
2. Scrub the paint stain on the floor with a cleaning cloth. Hold the cleaning cloth with your fingers and apply pressure while rubbing it over the stain.
3. Use more cleaning wipes until the paint stain is gone. If a cleaning cloth is dried out or full of paint, throw it away and get a new one.

Method 5 of 5: Using paint thinner

1. Use paint thinner as a last resort. Paint thinner is an aggressive solvent and should only be used if other means have failed to remove the paint. Do not apply paint thinner to water-based paint. Use caution when applying paint thinner to a hardwood floor as it can damage the finish.
2. Open the windows in the room where you work. Place a fan near an open window to make sure the room is well ventilated.
3. Soak a small portion of a rag with paint thinner. You can buy paint thinner at hardware stores and paint stores.
   • If you don't like the smell of paint thinner, you can also use turpentine.
4. Rub the paint stain with the rag dampened with paint thinner. Apply pressure with the rag while rubbing back and forth on the stain.
5. Keep rubbing the stain until all of the paint is removed. Apply more paint thinner if the rag dries out and not all of the paint has been removed. When you have removed the paint stain, wipe off the paint thinner.

Warnings

• Test the solvent of your choice in an inconspicuous area beforehand to see if it will damage your floor.

Necessities

• Water
• Soap
• Paper towels
• Lapping
• Blunt knife
• Spiritus
• Scrub brush
• Cleaning wipes
• Paint thinner