17Nov2023
How to Get Paint Off of Hardwood Floors
Tackling dried paint stains from polished hardwood floors is one of the trickiest tasks when sprucing up your home. Scrubbing or rubbing the stain too hard can leave scratches behind, while using abrasive cleaning products can ruin the finish of your hardwood floors.
Fortunately, there are some quick tips and tricks that remove stubborn paint stains from your wood floors using safe and sound products. Whether you have just painted your walls or changed the colour of your doors and window frames, consider the following guide and make your flooring look shiny and new again.
The best part is that professionally-trained end of lease cleaners in Sydney also use a similar method when cleaning wooden surfaces of rental properties.
Let’s Get Started!
Mix 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and one teaspoon of lemon juice in a bowl.
Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution.
Place the cloth over the affected area and allow it to soak for 10 minutes. The alcohol will break down the paint and make it easy to wipe it off.
You can also use an old toothbrush to scrub the paint stains. Tip: Read on the guide to understand the difference between methylated spirits vs. isopropyl alcohol for cleaning.
1. Prep Your Floors
Before attacking the dried paint stains, prepare the surface for effective and time-efficient cleaning. It is good to follow these simple steps:Remove the Heavy Furniture
It is good to clear out the flooring by removing large furniture pieces. This will make it easy for you to clean the surface without any hindrance. Removing furniture is also important when you clean a house before selling it. This will help you clean every nook and cranny with ease.Proper Ventilation is Important
Open your windows and turn on your fans to promote ventilation. This will prevent you from unpleasant fumes and also dry the surface faster.Know the Type of Paint That You need to Remove
It is good to know the type of paint stains you need to tackle when cleaning your hardwood floors. This will help you pick the best solution for the task. Know whether it is water-based or oil-based before getting into the process. Dab a cloth dampened in rubbing alcohol and buff off the paint. If the paint starts to come off, it is water-based. You can tackle these stains with gentle cleaners like dish soap or a butter knife. If the paint doesn’t come out, then it is oil-based, and you will need a heat gun or paint thinner.2. Remove Paint using a Putty or Butter Knife
You can easily lift a dried paint stain from your hardwood floor using a putty or butter knife. This hack works best for both types of paints. Start from one edge and slowly disengage the stain from the floor. If the stain still persists, sock it in soapy, warm water until it becomes loose and pliable. You can try this hack to remove paint from the wooden furniture.3. Tackle with Warm, Soapy Water
You can easily remove dried water-based paint with warm, soapy water. All you need to do is dip a microfiber cloth into the solution and gently scrub the affected wood surface. This hack will remove most of the paint with a little elbow grease. If you prepare a rental property for the final inspection, focus on preventing unwanted disputes by hiring professionals for an end of lease cleaning in Sydney. They cover all nooks and crannies to help you pass the inspection when moving out.4. Treat Stubborn Paint With Rubbing Alcohol
After a putty knife and warm, soapy water hack, you can also try this trick if the paint stain is stubborn. You can use Isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol to get rid of dried paint stains.You can also use an old toothbrush to scrub the paint stains. Tip: Read on the guide to understand the difference between methylated spirits vs. isopropyl alcohol for cleaning.
