How to Remove Paint Stains From Floors

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Things You'll Need

  • Broom or stick broom vacuum cleaner

  • Dust pan

  • Trash can

  • Dish washing soap

  • Bucket

  • Latex gloves

  • Scrub brush

  • 3 cloths or rags

  • Mineral spirits

  • Dull putty knife

  • Trash bag

  • Large pot

  • Soft mop

  • Large towel or rag

Remove paint stains from floors with soap and water or mineral spirits.

Paint is an enemy of any surface it falls on including carpet, tile and flooring. If left to dry, spilled paint leaves a dry layer of paint and a stain underneath the paint. The paint stain removal process depends on the type of flooring the paint spilled on and how much paint was spilled. You don't want to use a cleaning solution that will damage the floor, but one that will remove the layers of paint as well as the stain and paint residue left behind.

Advertisement

Removing Water-Based Paint

Step 1

Sweep or vacuum the floor with a soft, plastic broom or stick broom vacuum (one without a beater brush) cleaner to remove any loose dust and dirt from the floor's surface. Use a dust pan to collect any debris if sweeping. Dispose of the debris in a trash can.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Mix 1 cup of dish washing soap and ½ gallon of warm water in a bucket. Wear latex gloves to keep your hands dry.

Step 3

Stir the soap mixture with a scrub brush. Dip a cloth or rag in the soap mixture. Wring out excess.

Advertisement

Step 4

Scrub the paint stains with the soap-mixture-soaked cloth or rag.

Step 5

Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the paint stains are gone. Dry the areas with a clean cloth or rag.

Removing Oil-Based Paint

Step 1

Sweep or vacuum the floor with a soft plastic broom or stick vacuum cleaner to remove any loose dust and dirt from the floor's surface. Use a dust pan to collect any debris if sweeping. Dispose of the debris in a trash can.

Advertisement

Step 2

Pour 2 cups of mineral spirits into a bucket. Wear latex gloves to keep your hands dry.

Step 3

Dip a cloth or rag into the bucket. Wring out excess mineral spirits.

Step 4

Scrub the paint stains with the mineral-spirits-soaked cloth or rag.

Advertisement

If removing paint stains from hardwood floors, do not use mineral spirits. Complete the steps in the "Removing Paint Stains from Hardwood Flooring" section of this article.

Step 5

Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the paint stains are gone. Dry the areas with a clean cloth or rag.

Advertisement

Removing Paint Stains from Hardwood Flooring

Step 1

Sweep or vacuum the hardwood flooring with a soft plastic broom or stick vacuum cleaner to remove any loose dust and dirt from the floor's surface. Use a dust pan to collect any debris if sweeping. Dispose of the debris in a trash can.

Advertisement

Step 2

Wrap a cloth or rag around the blade of a dull putty knife.

Step 3

Gently scrape the paint stains from the hardwood flooring. Place the paint debris in a trash bag.

Step 4

Fill a large pot with lukewarm water from a sink. Dip a soft mop in the pot. Wring out excess water. The mop should be damp--not dripping with water.

Step 5

Mop the hardwood floor with the damp mop. Dry the flooring with a large towel or rag.

Tip

If you are unsure of the type of paint present on your flooring, complete the steps in the “Removing Water-Based Paint” section first. If the paint stain doesn't come up, complete the steps in the “Removing Oil paint”-Based Paint" section unless your flooring is hardwood.

If removing paint stains on concrete, complete the steps in the “Removing Oil-Based Paint” section. You can use trisodium phosphate (TSP) in place of mineral spirits, if desired. TSP is available at hardware and home improvement stores as well as paint supply stores.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

references & resources