Proven methods and means to wipe off old and newly spilled paint from linoleum
What to do if, during the renovation process, the linoleum on the floor becomes stained paints? After all, even the most careful craftsmen are not immune from such trouble.
There are plenty of ways to remove paint stains from linoleum. Before starting repair work, it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with these methods.
We’ll tell you in this article how to remove old paint from linoleum and how to clean the floor quickly, carefully, without losing its original appearance.
Content
How to remove a fresh stain?
A fresh stain on linoleum is the easiest to get rid of. Therefore, if paint gets on the floor you should not hesitate, but immediately begin active actions to clean the floor:
A fresh stain of water-based paint can be removed by wiping the floor with a clean paper towel or soft rag.- Refined sunflower oil or laundry soap will help to wipe off fresh acrylic stains that have just appeared.
It is enough to treat the dirt with oil or rub with soap, wait ten to fifteen minutes and collect the dirt with a paper towel.
- Fresh stains of oil paint and nitro enamel will be removed with special solvents. A piece of rag is moistened with a chemical solution and used to wipe away the dirt on the floor.
You can reduce the amount of work required to remove paint from linoleum after renovation if you follow the ritual of preliminary preparation of the room.
Algorithm of actions:
- the room is cleared of furniture as much as possible;
- carefully lay plastic film on the linoleum;
- secure the protective film around the perimeter of the room and at the joints with masking tape.
During the renovation process, the film, of course, can tear, but without it there will be much more paint stains on the floor.
This video will show you how to quickly remove fresh paint from linoleum:
How to clean dry floors?
There are a sufficient number of ways to quickly remove paint stains from linoleum.
Washing powder
A soap solution is a good helper in removing paint from linoleum (ideal for water-based compositions).
To prepare a soap solution, dissolve a small amount of any washing powder in warm water.. Apply the soap solution to the linoleum with a brush or sponge, leave it for a while, and then easily remove the dirt from the floor with a damp cloth.
To avoid the appearance of soap stains, wipe the floor with a clean damp cloth several times.
Gasoline or kerosene
Refined gasoline or kerosene will help Quickly deal with paint on the floor:
- Dirt is wiped with a sponge soaked in gasoline.
- After the floor has regained its original appearance, it is additionally wiped with a clean damp cloth.
How to remove with alcohol?
Alcohol will help remove old water-based paint stains from the floor. Using a cotton pad or a piece of rag well soaked in alcohol, carefully wipe the dirt on the floor.
Acetone
A chemical, aggressive agent in the fight against paint is acetone.In order to quickly clean linoleum, you need to apply acetone to the contaminated surface with a brush and leave it for a while (no more than fifteen minutes).
After the paint has dissolved, it can be easily removed with a paper towel. If necessary, at intervals of thirty minutes, the procedure is repeated until the stain is completely removed..
Work with acetone is carried out only in a well-ventilated area wearing gloves and a respirator.
Solvents
Regardless of how long ago the stain appeared on the floor, the solvent will help quickly remove the stain. Working with solvents is simple: a rag soaked in a chemical liquid is used to actively wipe off the dirt. If necessary, the steps are repeated several times.
How to clean stains depending on the dye?
Before you begin the process of cleaning linoleum, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the features of removing various types of paints and varnishes.
Water-based
Water-based emulsion stains are easiest to remove from the surface of linoleum. This is because the paint base is water.
Warm water will quickly remove emulsion from the floor.. It is enough to wet the stain thoroughly and leave it alone for an hour. Afterwards, the wet stain can be easily wiped off with a regular damp sponge.
To remove old stains (the repair was completed a long time ago), you can use a rubber spatula. The paint on the linoleum is first moistened with water, and then removed with gentle movements using a spatula. Wipe the clean floor surface with a damp cloth.
Acrylic
The polymer emulsion included in acrylic makes it more resistant to abrasion. Therefore, it is quite difficult to remove paint of this type from linoleum.
If the stain cannot be cleaned, it can be wiped with a sponge soaked in vinegar solution. (water and vinegar are mixed in equal proportions). You can also use nail polish remover (without acetone).
Particularly stubborn acrylic stains are removed using a special solvent. Before using a chemical solution, you need to make sure on a small area of the floor that the product does not leave a stain, does not corrode the surface or change its color.
Oily
The thick, oily consistency of paint adds complexity to the process of cleaning linoleum.
The first thing to do is blot the stain with a paper napkin. (absorbs excess paint). Then the dirt is wiped off with a sponge soaked in vegetable oil.
Special solvents will also help you quickly remove oil-based paint.
Fabric softener will quickly remove stains oil paint, if you dilute it with water (proportion 1:1), and then, moisten a rag or sponge, treat the stain until it disappears completely.
Enamel
Special solvents (preferably in the form of aerosols) will help you quickly deal with enamel stains on linoleum. When purchasing, you must carefully study the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the type of coating being processed.
When applying, you must adhere to some rules:
- You can only work in a well-ventilated area wearing gloves and a respirator;
- Before applying the product, it must be tested on a small, inconspicuous area of the floor.
Tips and prohibitions
Clean the linoleum from paint, while preserving the surface from scratches and abrasions, A few secrets of professional masters will help:
- Do not clean linoleum with coarse bristles (along with the dirt, the protective layer of the coating is removed). For the same reason, you should avoid metal spatulas, knives and sharp blades.
You should not use aggressive chemical compounds (there is a high risk of losing the color of the linoleum).- It is not recommended to use soda and other abrasives to clean linoleum (even a minimal amount of powder can scratch the linoleum).
- The process of removing paint stains must begin with more gentle means, moving to more aggressive, potent compounds as necessary.
- Before applying a new cleaner to linoleum, use it on an inconspicuous area.
- The stain is rubbed off with gentle movements, starting from the edges of the stain, smoothly moving towards the center. Ignoring this rule will only lead to an increase in the area of the stain.
- Periodic treatment of linoleum with special non-slip polishes will prevent paint from penetrating into the structure of the floor covering, which greatly facilitates the process of stain removal.
Conclusion
A timely response to the appearance of paint stains on the floor guarantees 100% removal of contamination while preserving the original appearance of the linoleum.
