Asked on Aug 27, 2015

Easiest way to remove old latex paint from vinyl flooring and wood.

Marissa
by Marissa
I spilled some latex paint on my vinyl laminate floors and wooden dining room chairs while painting them a few months ago. I never got around to try removing the paint. What would be the easiest way to remove this paint. Thank you.
  22 answers
  • Lori Lori on Aug 28, 2015
    Did u try Too Gone? It's amazing, but before, what bout plastic scraper that's not sharp?
  • I second the plastic scraper to get it off. On my vinyl laminate floors I use a butter knife by gently scraping or my fingernails sometimes work too. Hope that helps!
    • Marissa Marissa on Aug 29, 2015
      @Bobbie-A Vision To Remember Thank you for your advice Bobbie. I tried that one a few weeks ago but it just didn`t work! :D
  • CK CK on Aug 28, 2015
    There is a product at most paint stores (even Home Dept/Lowes) that claims to remove dried on paint . Don't remember the name, haven't tried it but you may want to check it out. However, when we moved into our current home, there were paint spots on laminate as well as hardwood floors. I used a plastic scraper (and sometimes a wide, flat edged screw driver...VERY gently) to remove all the paint spots.
    • Marissa Marissa on Aug 29, 2015
      @CK Thank you for sharing this Connie. I will try to find out about that product. :D
  • Dee Dee on Aug 28, 2015
    Rubbing alcohol will remove paint. I use acetone to remove spots from my laminate. My manufacturer recommended it, and it works like a charm without harming the laminate.
  • Shari Shari on Aug 28, 2015
    Vinyl or laminate flooring? They are not the same. If you have a steam mop (or can borrow one), you may find the steam will remove the latex paint from vinyl floor. When I first got my steam mop, I was shocked to see old, dried latex paint splatters lift right out of the nooks and crannies of the textured vinyl floor in my laundry room the first time I used the mop. Unfortunately though, I haven't been able to remove a few spots of milk paint with the steam. If your floors are laminate, sometimes using the edge of a razor blade will pop dried paint spots loose. Removing paint from your wood chairs is a lot trickier since many things that typically remove paint like alcohol, acetone etc., can potentially ruin the finish. You may have to sand and refinish (or repaint) the chairs anyway.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 28, 2015
    Do not use a steam mop on laminate flooring. It has to much water. secondly I know this is going to sound ridiculous but toothpaste will work. Try it and let me know.
  • Denise Murr Denise Murr on Aug 29, 2015
    WD-40 It will penetrate and condition at the same time
  • Lisa Bradley-Schroeck Lisa Bradley-Schroeck on Aug 29, 2015
    Mr Clean Magic Erasers work great!
  • Nancy Nancy on Aug 29, 2015
    The kids. Got something red on my new linolem flooring, not sure if it's kool aid or nail polish. It's not raised I tried vinager and cornstarch paste and it did not work. So can't recommend that
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Aug 29, 2015
    Some will scrape off. I have used permanent marker to colour spots on furniture.
  • Sherry Fram Sherry Fram on Aug 29, 2015
    I agree with Lisa the magic eraser.
  • Mary Mary on Aug 29, 2015
    Murphy's oil soap. Put some on and let it soak awhile. It will come right off! Oh, and don't dilute.
  • Adrianne C Adrianne C on Aug 30, 2015
    I agree with Mary, Murphys oil soap. I soak my brushes in it too.
  • Dee Dee on Aug 30, 2015
    rubbing alcohol will remove the paint. Just put a paper towel down soaked in the alcohol for a few minutes and it will take the paint off.
  • Robyn Wynn Robyn Wynn on Aug 30, 2015
    This happened to me recently & I used Goof Off. Works great!!
  • Sharon Sharon on Aug 07, 2018

    I tried alcohol with no luck. I tried wd40 with no luck and then I tried the undiluted Murphy Oil Soap and it was like magic. This is on linoleum. Thanks to the person who recommended it!

  • Seems like it's a trial and error process based on the paint and the flooring. I might try to call the floor manufacturer first, if you know who it is. Otherwise I start with a little bit of diluted rubbing alcohol until you're sure it won't damage the finish.

  • You can try a plastic scraper.

  • Maura White Maura White on Jun 18, 2021

    I would use a plastic (NOT metal or that will leave worse marks) and gently try to scrape it off.

  • Annie Annie on Jun 20, 2021

    Wrap a butter knife in a warm wet rag and use this to super gently scrape it down.

  • Whatever product you try, do a small test on either a leftover piece of flooring or a spot that is unseen, see if it does any damage. I'd first try letting some quite warm water sit on it, either puddle it a bit or soak a rag. You should be able to get most of it up by then gently scraping with a plastic putty knife.

  • Ashley Ashley on Jan 19, 2023

    Rubbing alcohol did 0. Mr. Clean magic Eraser worked, with a little elbow grease in about 10 seconds.