Painting your home is an interesting project. With a paint can and brush, you can change the appearance of your home and make it look more attractive. But unfortunately, there is a problem with painting; it spills on unwanted surfaces too.
Hopefully, you can clean it immediately by wiping it with a rag until it is wet. Even more, you can also get the old drip of paint using some easy steps and a few cleaning supplies. That too without damaging your hard floor.
Since hardwood floors are delicate and a small mistake can affect their appearance. That’s why you have to be very careful if you are doing this yourself. Otherwise, hiring professionals is the best option you have.
Here in this blog, we will discuss some easy ways to get paint off hardwood floors.
How To Get Paint Off Hardwood Floors
Things You Will Require
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#1 Check The Paint
If the spills are caused by you, you might know whether the paint is oil-based or water-based. And if not, then you can test the paint with some easy steps. Wet a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and try to wipe the paint. If there is paint residue in cotton, it is water-based; if not, it is oil-based.
#2 Dishwasher Liquid & Water
This solution will be helpful for water-based paint. Mix ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with 2 cups of warm water into a small bowl. Then wet the microfiber cloth with this solution.
Wring the cloth to make it damp and gently scrub the affected area. If some paint remains, try to remove it using a butter knife or credit card. But make sure it does not cause any scratches on the floor. Once done, clean the floor using a rag.
#3 Rubbing Alcohol & Lemon Juice
If the paint doesn’t come off by dishwasher & water, prepare a solution of rubbing alcohol and lemon juice in the proportion of 3:1 (3 parts rubbing alcohol and 1 part lemon juice).
First, try to scrap the paint using a butter knife or a coin without harming the floor. Then wet a rag into the cleaning mixture and put the wet rag on the affected area for 3-5 minutes. After that, scrub away the paint with that damp rag.
If some paint is still there, dip the toothbrush or soft-bristle brush into the mixture and gently scrub to remove the remaining paint. Once done, wipe the floor area with a clean cloth.
#4 Paint Thinner
If the above methods don’t work, the best way to remove an oil-based paint is to use a paint thinner. You will easily get a paint thinner from the market. While using the paint thinner, ensure the room is ventilated adequately and that nothing flammable is around.
First, apply the thinner to a small area (1×1 inch) and wipe after 1-2 minutes to check if it is suitable for your floors or not. If it is good, apply it to the affected area and wait 2-3 minutes. Then scrub the area with a rag. You can also use a toothbrush for scrubbing.
Summary
After reading this blog, we hope you would have come to know how to get paint off hardwood floors. For different types of paints, you can use the above-discussed methods. But do not forget to take the safety precautions like masks and gloves. Moreover, make sure the cleaning process does not harm your floor. If the project seems difficult to you, do not hesitate to contact professional hardwood floor cleaners near you.
