How To Get Paint Off Laminate Floor

In this guide, I will be showing you the primary and the extreme step by step process of how to get paint off laminate floor.

Painting is one of the most common household DIY renovation projects. It adds colors and refreshes your space.

It is not abnormal for some paint drips to go unnoticed as a result of new stains or even old ones. Fortunately, the protective coverings on laminate floor surfaces make it resilient to paint stains compared to other hardwood flooring options.

There is no need to sweat when you come across paint stains on your laminate floor. Here’s how to easily get them off.

Read Also: How to Get Paints Off Wooden Floors

Things You Will Need For The Job

To get paint off laminate floor, you need;

Good cleaning solution
Lukewarm water
Mild liquid soap
Sponge
Cloth
A vacuum sweeper or a broom
Paper towels or home rags
White Vinegar
Ammonia-based cleaning products
Soft bristle brush
Rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl alcohol)
Bucket

How to Get Paint off Laminate Floor

As mentioned earlier, there are two methods you can use to get paint off laminate floors – the primary and extreme approach.

I suggest you go for the more convenient and safest methods first due to the nature of the exterior of laminate floors. Laminate floors consist of synthetic fibers that are prone to damage when handled carelessly.

Homemade Paint Cleaning Solution

A homemade paint cleaning solution is an all-purpose paint lifter that will usually lift any paint stain. The presence of rubbing alcohol and soap will help raise oil-based paints, and the water and vinegar will help soften the water-based paints.

Sweep the floor of the affected area using a vacuum cleaner or a broom. Sweeping will clear off fragments from existing dirt that may cause blemishes on the exterior of the flooring.
Take a bucket or a bowl. Make a cleaning solution consisting of rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and water. Ensure to mix equal measurements of rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and water.
Stir the contents together until the mixture forms a medium consistency. Add a few drops of mild dish soap; stir until it creates lather.
Deep a rag or paper towel into the homemade cleaning mixture and then gently scrub the exterior of the flooring using some elbow motion in a to and fro manner.
When a reasonable amount of paint is going off, dampen a rag in acetone and rub off on floor surface, and then leave for five minutes. This will eliminate the remains of paint residues.

Read Also: How to Get Paint Off Floor Tiles

Acetone Based Nail Paint Remover

For tough stains, which homemade solution couldn’t lift off completely; reach out for a nail paint remover. Acetone is petroleum-based alcohol that helps to loosen the bond between paints and surface over time.

Sweep the floor of the affected area using a vacuum sweeper or a broom. Sweeping will clear off fragments from existing dirt that may cause blemishes on the exterior of the flooring.
Apply acetone-based nail paint remover onto a rag or cotton wool. Smudge the rag on the paint spot, leave to sit for 5-10 minutes until the paint stain is completely soaked in.
Acetone readily evaporates when exposed to air, so you might want to reapply from time to time.
If no visible results at the first trial don’t hesitate to try a few more times until the paint stain begins to lift off
Properly wash the floor surface with lukewarm water and then clean up with a dry rag – liftoff the edge of any remaining paint residue with tweezers.
Wash the floor properly using the already prepared white vinegar, mild soap, and rubbing alcohol solution. Leave to dry.

For paint stain stuck in corners or edges, a cotton wool swab would be more efficient in getting off stains.

Using Ammonia Based Cleaning Products

Ammonia is a colorless natural active agent commonly used in household cleaning products such as disinfectants, windows, or other surface cleaners.

If the acetone-based nail remover method did not work, you should attempt using ammonia as it is known to break down the sulfur bond, which is also present in paints.

You can make your ammonia-based solution by combining two tablespoons of cornstarch, half cup white vinegar and a half cup of ammonia in lukewarm water.

Sweep the floor of the affected area using a vacuum sweeper or a broom. Sweeping will clear off fragments from existing dirt that may cause blemishes on the exterior of the flooring.
Spray the ammonia-based solution onto the paint-stained spot then leave to absorb for some minutes.
Scrub off the paint using a clean rag and then check for visible paint stains on the cloth to confirm the paint lift. If no lift yet, leave to sit for some minutes.
When the color starts to give way, gently use a soft bristle brush to scrub the affected area in a slow circular motion; alternatively use the rag to wipe to check for progress.
Rinse off the laminate floor with lukewarm water, and then dry off with a rag or leave to dry.
Repeat steps until the paint stain ultimately comes off.

You can purchase ammonia at stores.

Caution should be taken when mixing ammonia with bleaching products or any other chemicals as dangerous fumes can be emitted.

Read Also: How to Get Paint Off Plastic

Using a Paint Remover

In a situation where the paint stains prove tough to take off completely, and you have exhausted the above steps, then a commercially produced product is your next bet.

Paint removers are products specially produced to meet specific needs like stubborn paint stains.

These products are safe to use in households’ floor surface. You can purchase them in stores.

Sweep the floor of the affected area using a vacuum sweeper or a broom. Sweeping will clear off fragments from existing dirt that may cause blemishes on the exterior of the flooring.
Apply the amount of paint remover as suggested by the manufacturer and leave to sit for the duration, as seen on the product’s label.

Rinse off the treated area with lukewarm water, and then use a rag or paper towel to dry.

The Extreme Measure | Using Mineral/Chemical Spirits or Paint Thinner

Using extreme measures should be considered as a last resort and should only be used with caution, following the manufacturer’s guidelines, as seen on the product label.

Mineral/chemical spirits or paint thinner is used for extremely stubborn paints. The smell is pungent, and the fumes toxic.

How do you get dried paint off the floor?

Mix warm water with a teaspoon of mild dish detergent. Blot the area to remove most of the excess, working from the outside of the stain in. Once the paint is gone, let the area dry and then vacuum over the surface. For paint dried on hardwood or linoleum, scrape as much of the dried paint off.

How do you get paint off of a laminate surface?

Isopropyl alcohol and acetone used for nail polish removal can dissolve crusted, dried paint on laminate, according to Tech Lib. Always test a small area of the laminate before splashing large pools of a serious solvent, such as rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover, to the affected area.

Will paint thinner damage laminate flooring?

You usually have to rub these out with turpentine or white spirit, which is another name for paint thinner. It’s safe to use turpentine and white spirit on a laminate floor because neither will harm the finish, but they don’t always work, especially if the paint has been curing for a long time.

Does acetone damage laminate flooring?

Use painter’s-grade acetone or lacquer thinner in lieu of mineral spirits. Both of these solvents are guaranteed to remove the stain, but when you use solvents like acetone to clean laminate floor stains, they will probably damage the floor finish, so use them as sparingly as possible.

How do you get dried paint off vinyl flooring?

Simply pour several drops of rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth and rub gently over the stain. If the paint doesn’t come off, place the cloth over the stain and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, rub the area again and rinse with clean water. Now, pat it dry with paper towels.

Will nail polish remover take off paint?

Luckily for you, yes, nail polish remover does remove paint! Nail polish remover is a type of solvent compound that is designed to remove tough materials in nail polish including synthetic resins, plasticizers, and nitrocellulose.

How do you get dried paint off laminate wood floors?

An acetone nail polish remover will help to loosen the paint over time. You should apply the nail polish remover, let it sit for a few minutes, and then attempt to wipe off the paint. If it does not work the first time, do not worry. It might require a few tries to completely remove the paint.

How do you get dried paint off a laminate countertop?

Instructions

Mix a solution of 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water.
Liberally apply the solution to the affected area and let it soak for a few minutes.
Use a putty knife or paint scraper to remove the paint gently.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 as needed until all the paint is gone.
Thoroughly clean the area with warm water.

How do you get paint off vinyl plank flooring?

Removing Paint or Varnish from Vinyl Flooring

Gently rub the area with your finger or an eraser (avoid using sharp items, which can scratch your Flooring).
Rub lightly with isopropyl alcohol on a clean, white cloth.
If the stain still shows, use odorless mineral spirits or turpentine on a clean, white cloth.

Will rubbing alcohol damage laminate flooring?

Yes, alcohol.

It has a nearly neutral pH — neither acidic nor alkaline. This makes alcohol the perfect ingredient in your homemade cleaner to not only clean but also protect and preserve beautifully finished wood and laminate floors.

Conclusion

Although almost inevitable, the occurrence of paint stains can still be minimized.

Always place protective clothing on the floor surface before taking on any painting project.

Always perform a thorough check after each painting job, to identify and tackle paint stains before it hardens.

Wear personal protective equipment when handling chemicals.

Remember, the harder it gets, the more complicated the cleaning process.

I believe your floor is an essential part of your home interior, so maintenance shouldn’t be at a high difficulty level. Follow the steps listed in this guide on how to get paint off laminate floor and watch your favorite interior return to its glory in no time!

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