How to Get Paint Off a Linoleum Floor
Removing paint from your linoleum floors can be a bit tricky. If the paint has dried, you may need to resort to chemical treatments, and those can damage or discolor your floors. Scrubbing and scraping at your floors can also cause damage to the finish. By proceeding with care and following a few practical tips, you can remove that pesky paint without causing more problems.
If the paint has dried, moisten the cloth with mineral spirits and leave the cloth over the paint for several minutes. Once the paint has softened, gently scrape the spot up with the edge of a spoon. If the paint simply will not come away from the floor, use a solvent such as Goo Gone to remove it. Test a small portion of the floor before you begin to ensure that the solvent won't damage the finish or the color of your floors.
If the paint has not yet dried and you used a water-based paint, your cleanup process will be quite easy. Use newspaper to blot up as much paint as possible. Moisten paper towels with water and daub at any remaining spots. If you used an oil-based paint, you have slightly more work to do. Soak up the spill with newspaper. Moisten a cloth with rubbing alcohol and place the cloth over the paint. Allow the cloth to stay in place for several minutes, so it can soak into the stain. Wipe the stain with a fresh cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol. Mop the area with a mixture of soap and water to rinse away any remaining alcohol and wipe dry with fresh cloths. Allow the floor to dry, and apply a layer of wax to replenish the surface of the floor.
