How to get paint off a hardwood floor

If you want to know how to get paint off a hardwood floor, you will need the answer sooner rather than later. Like any other type of stain, a paint stain is much easier to remove if it's fresh. But even if you have a dried, old stain on your wood floor, don't panic – you can still remove it with a bit of know-how and patience.

You've invested in the best type of wood flooring, and you will want to keep it in the best condition possible. Even so, sometimes paint spills happen, especially if you're repainting a room yourself. Fortunately, there is a wealth of expert knowledge for you to draw on when learning how to get paint off a wooden floor.

How to get paint off a hardwood floor

How to get oil paint off a wooden floor

If your paint is oil-based, 'you're going to need something stronger' than a cloth and water, says Zoey Dromgoole, resident hardwood flooring expert at Wood Flooring Ireland. Namely, you will need acetone. 'Apply some acetone to a cloth and very gently scrub the area where the paint is, then allow it to stand for about 10 minutes. This should remove most of the paint, the remainder can be chipped/scraped off with a soft edge.'

Can I use paint thinner to get paint off a hardwood floor?

Dromgoole's advice is that 'paint thinner is to be absolutely avoided – Yes it can remove paint very easily but it can also strip away the finish on your hardwood flooring, it is an extremely harsh solvent.'

Can I use lemon juice to get paint off a hardwood floor?

Yes. You can use a solution of rubbing alcohol and lemon juice to remove stubborn paint stains. Ralph Severson, owner of Flooring Masters, recommends 'A solution of 1 part lemon juice, and 2 parts rubbing alcohol should be put on a soft cloth. Leave the cloth on the paint stain for 5 minutes, then scrub it off with the rag. This should remove all of the paint without damaging the face of your flooring.'