Removing Latex Paint From Wood Floors

Removing Latex Paint From Wood Floors

If the paint spill is fresh then it should be wiped up with a cloth as quickly as possible. Any remnants can be diluted with warm water before being mopped up.

If the paint is dried, a paint scraper may be helpful in getting rid of most of it. If used over zealously the paint scraper can damage the wood of the floor, so it's important to take one's time when employing this method. There's a pretty good chance that small specks of paint will remain, bits of it may become lodged in the grain of the wood.

To remove all traces of the paint dilute 1 tbsp. of Oxalic Acid in 1 pint of water. Soak some of the solution up with a rag and rub the paint spots until they break apart and dissolve. Throw the rag away and use a damp towel to clean off any remaining solution.

Why Use Oxalic Acid?

Oxalic Acid is classified as a weak acid.Being made of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen it qualifies as an organic acid as well. Though a weak acid, it's still quite strong and poisonous if it is absorbed through the skin or ingested. Being an organic acid means that, though caustic, it does not easily eat into other organic substances. This is ideal in that, though we need the acid to break up and lift away the non-organic latex paint, we don't want it to damage the organic wood beneath.

Why Not Use Any Abrasives?

Hardwood floors, or wood floors of any kind for that matter, often have a top coat of chemicals designed to preserve the wood and bring out its luster. A light scrape isn't really sufficient to break through that coat, nor is a weak substance like Oxalic Acid. However sandpaper or chemicals which contain abrasive elements can definitely cut through these preservatives. If this is done it creates a spot that will always be noticeably different from the surrounding wood floor in both color and feel. Using abrasives will ruin a wood floor unless you intend to strip the entire floor and reseal it yourself.