Get Stubborn Dried Paint Off Your Hardwood Floors With Two Simple Items

DIY paint jobs can be budget-friendly and can completely transform your interiors when done right. But such projects often lead to accidental paint drips on your floors that might go unnoticed until after they're dry. While covering dried paint splatters with a rug might seem like a good idea initially, it'd be a shame to have to hide your floors all the time, especially hardwood. Alternatively, using sandpaper and paint stripper to rejuvenate your floors can damage them. If you're on the hunt for the best method to remove dried paint off your hardwood floors with just two simple items, try using isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and lemon juice.

However, before you enlist rubbing alcohol and lemon juice as your most trusted soldiers and let them do your dirty work, determine whether the dried splatters belong to the water-based or oil-based paint camp. Just soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and rub it against the splatter on the floor. If the paint begins lifting, you're dealing with water-based paint splatters. In comparison, if there's no change, you're probably dealing with oil-based paint splatters, which may need to be removed with something stronger like a heat gun. 

Rubbing alcohol and lemon juice is a powerful and non-toxic solution that will help break down the stubborn dried paint on your hardwood floor. However, don't forget to put on a mask or respirator to spare your nostrils from the strong alcohol fumes. To make removing the paint easier, gently use a putty knife or paint scraper to get off as much paint as possible without harming the hardwood underneath.

Now, try removing the splatter with just rubbing alcohol on a rag or sponge. If that doesn't work, mix a three to one ratio of rubbing alcohol and lemon juice in a bowl. Once ready, dip a cloth in the solution and place it on the dried paint for about five minutes. After the time is up, rub the splatters with the same cloth to get them off your floor. If that doesn't remove the dried paint, dip a toothbrush in the solution to scrub it off. Finally, wipe down the area with a damp rag before rubbing your floors with a clean microfiber cloth. If the paint isn't budging, try also using cleaning vinegar, which may soften the drips of paint and make them easier to remove.