How to Remove Latex Paint Stains from Wood

Spilled paint on a wood floor is a common mishap.

Latex paint is water-soluble, which means that stains and drips can be removed fairly easily from solid surfaces, including wood. For example, if you splatter some paint on wood trim or the baseboard while painting a wall, the spill can typically be removed in a few minutes with warm water and scrubbing. Avoid using chemical solvents to remove spilled paint on wood, as paint thinner or turpentine may stain the wood and create a bigger problem.

Things You'll Need

• Clean cloth
• Liquid dishwashing soap
• Plastic scraper
• Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

1. Dip a clean cloth in warm water.

2. Squeeze 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid onto the wet cloth.

3. Apply the cloth to the paint stain and hold in place to soften the latex.

4. Push a plastic scraper along the length of the spill to peel up as much paint as possible.

5. Scrub the stain in a back-and-forth motion to remove the paint. Avoid scrubbing in a circular motion, which may spread the stain across a wider area on the wood and create more work. Use additional clean cloths with water and soap to remove the paint as the original cloth becomes dirty.

6. Pour 1 teaspoon of rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth and wipe the wood to remove the final bits of paint.

7. Wipe the wood with a clean, dry cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Latex paint removers may get paint off wood, but you should test a small, inconspicuous area before scrubbing the wood to determine if the cleaning product damages the finish.

References

• National Park Service; Exterior Paint Problems on Historic Woodwork; Kay D. Weeks, et al.
• Paint-N-Stain Inc.: Removing Latex Paint
• Mrs. Clean: How to Remove Paint Stains