How to Remove Tar From Hardwood Floor

Tar is a sticky substance that can be tricky to remove from most surfaces, and hardwood floors are no exception. With hardwood floors, it is important to be careful when removing tar so that the floor is not scratched or damaged. Furthermore, on authentic hardwood floors in particular, the right products must be used to ensure that the finish is not removed from the floor. Once the tar has been removed from the hardwood floor, it may be necessary to refinish the floor to get rid of any scratches.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Popsicle stick
• Ice cubes
• Plastic spatula
• Dry cleaning solvent or formulated safety solvent
• Dry rags
• Scouring pad
• Acetone or rubbing alcohol (Laminate only)

1. Use your fingernail, a Popsicle stick or something that is dull and will not scratch the floor to scrape as much of the tar off of the surface as possible.

2. Place ice cubes on the area of the hardwood floor where the tar is located. Freeze the tar until it is brittle.

3. Use a plastic spatula to scrape the tar from the floor. Be sure that the spatula is plastic so that it will not scratch the flooring.

4. Apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent or a formulated safety solvent to a clean, dry rag. Wipe the tar-stained area thoroughly to remove any traces of the tar. Follow up with a clean cloth to remove any residue.

5. Scrub the tar-stained area with a scouring pad if the stain is persistent. Use a fine-grade pad and scrub gently to reduce the likelihood of scratching the floor.

6. Wipe a small amount of acetone or rubbing alcohol onto the floor for tar stains on laminate wood flooring. Test the product you are using in a hidden area to be sure that it will not cause damage to the floor.

References

• Build Direct
• Homewise
• Sinbad Flooring