Whether you have accidentally spilled some lemon juice or spilled paint on your wood floors, or maybe the floors have been painted by the previous homeowner, the day has come when you need to finally remove it.
Where do you start? How do you even know how to remove paint stains from the wood surface?
This article will discuss how to recognize and distinguish what type of paint stain is on wood floors and the 6 easy steps to remove it!
Once you have determined what type of paint stain you are removing from the wood floors, it is time to decide how you will tackle the removal process.
Materials and tools will be different based on what type of oil based paint stain you are removing, but it will not hurt to have all tools readily available.
The ease of removal will also depend on whether or not the old paint is dry or wet. It is always easier to remove oil-based paint from the wood floors when it is wet.
Below we will discuss some tips and tools that should help you remove stubborn paint stains or remove oil based paint from your wood floors without damaging the floors themselves.
1. Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol and a damp rag is the best paint stain remover and an easy method to remove oil based paints stain by gently scrape the alcohol onto the fresh paint, letting it soak in, and wiping it away. This damp paper towel may take a few applications to remove as much paint. This gently scrape will work for water or oil-based paints just with a few drops.
2. Soap (cleaning detergent) and water
Soap and water is an excellent method for cleaning water-based paint stains from the wood floors without damaging the floor’s finish. Using warm water will give you better results with this method.
3. Heat gun
The heat gun method for removing paint is a bit more intense than our previous methods. You need to be careful not to overheat the floor’s finish, which would cause damage. This method is very useful for melting the fresh paint layers and making it easier to wipe off the hardwood flooring with a rag.
4. Commercial paint remover
Commercial paint removers, once they start using chemicals to clean paint stains from wood floor, they need to be very careful that they are only removing the fresh paint stain and not the floor’s finish. When done successfully, the chemicals should dissolve the paint's fresh coat and allow them to be easily removed with a rag.
5. Paint thinner
Paint thinner will do exactly what it sounds like nail polish remover when it comes to removing paint stains on your wood floor. The thinner paint remover will soak into the paint similar to the alcohol and allow you to remove the paint without fail. This will work well to remove oil-based paint.
6. Cleansing pads
This method is for oil based paints on wood floor before the paint has dried. These cleansing pads as paint removers will not work on removing hardened paint, so keep these on hand during your next project, just in case you spill some paint on your wood floor.

Preparation Before Removing Paint
Removing all the paint from stained wood floor can be a dirty job. Whenever you are using chemicals, natural paint remover, paint thinner, paint strippers, or detergents, it is essential to wear protective gloves and safety glasses at a minimum.
You never want the task of removing paint from wood floor or stained wood floor to escalate into a health hazard. Make sure you have access to clean water so that you can rinse off your skin or eyes in the event of an accident.
If you get any of the chemicals or detergents like paint stripper on your skin, be sure to quickly rinse them off to prevent an adverse reaction or chemical burns. Tools you will need to have on hand along with that clean water are as follows.
Remove Paints from Wood Floors (Wet & Dry)
Getting Rid Of Dried Paints
Removing Wet Paint / Paint Spills / Splatters
Paint Types Commonly Used On Hardwood Floors
First things first, how to distinguish between the possible types of paint that could be on the wooden surfaces?
The type of material you are using for removing paint is the most critical factor in deciding what product and method will be best to remove it.
There is one quick and easy method to determine whether the paint is water-based or oil-based. Grab a cotton ball, wet it with rubbing alcohol, and rub the cotton ball over the paint.
If the paint shows up on the cotton ball, you will know you are dealing with water based paint stain.
If not, you are most likely dealing with oil-based paint, which will be a bit trickier to remove.

Questions On Removing Paint On Floors
How do you remove glue on hardwood floors?
To remove glue on hardwood floors, you must first try chipping it off with a putty knife, as it is tough to remove from anything. If chipping does not work, try a heat gun but only enough to gel the glue.
How much does it cost to remove paint on hardwood floors?
Hardwood floor paint removal could cost between $300- $10,000 depending on the size of the floor covered in paint.
Does acetone remove paint?
Yes, Acetone is the best paint removal. Using acetone would not only remove the paint from your floors but would also eat into the hardwood itself and surely ruin the floor’s finish.
Which is cheaper, refinishing or replacing hardwood floors?
Replacing hardwood floors is less expensive than refinishing them, depending on the floor area. I would only advise refinishing if you had a large area to work with.
Does vinegar remove paint from wood?
Vinegar is the best paint removal that can be used to remove paint splatters from wood as it is an excellent alternative for removing paint from wood without harmful chemicals.
Conclusion
Now that we have discussed the options for removing stubborn paint stains from hardwood floors, which method is best for you?
Well, that will depend on the situation. No matter what paint you are removing, a running theme is a wet paint is easier to remove, and using a putty knife should be the first method to try on removing dry paint.
Be sure to consult this guide the next time you find yourself in need of eliminating pesky paint from your beautiful hardwood floors.