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Home and Garden
DIY
House Painting
Paints
Painting Prep and Clean Up
Removing Paint and Polish Stains
How to Get Paint Off Vinyl Flooring Download Article Easy ways to clean dried and fresh paint from vinyl floors Co-authored by Jeff Baldwin
Last Updated: May 14, 2025
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Removing Water-Based Paint
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Oil-Based Paint
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Dried Paint
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Video
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Q&A
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Tips
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Warnings
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Things You'll Need
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This article was co-authored by Jeff Baldwin. Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. This article has been viewed 255,966 times.
With do-it-yourself paint jobs, there is the potential for drops of paint or even large spills on your vinyl flooring. The spill can be removed by proper and quick action. To remove paint from vinyl, you will first need to determine the type of paint that was spilled. Then, follow the removal procedure whether it be for oil-based, water-based, or dried paint.
How to Remove Paint From Vinyl Flooring
Use a paper towel to wipe off as much paint as possible. Mix mild soap and water in a bucket, then scrub the paint with the cleaning solution. Wipe any remaining paint with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Removing Water-Based Paint
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1 Wipe up the spilled paint. Use a dry paper towel or soft cloth to remove as much of the fresh spillage as possible. Wipe it up until there is nothing else you can by simple wiping. If the spill is large, you can contain it with cat litter or shredded paper.
2 Use damp paper towels. After you’ve wiped up with dry paper towels, use damp paper towels to tackle the rest of the spilled paint. Go over the spilled area until as much of the paint has been removed as possible. The damp paper towels should remove most of the paint.
You will have to go through several damp paper towels if the spill is large.
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3 Mix mild soap and water. To remove the remainder of the paint, mix several drops of mild soap into a bucket of water. Then, dip a clean cloth into the mixture. Use the cloth to clean up the rest of the spilled paint.
4 Use a cloth with rubbing alcohol. If the paint has still not been removed, pour rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth and gently rub it over the paint. Press the cloth on the stain and allow it remain for ten minutes if the stain has not been removed. Then, remove the cloth and rinse the area with water.
Make sure the area is dry after you rinse it off. You can dry it off by patting it with a cloth or paper towel.
5 Repeat if necessary. The paint may not be removed completely on the first try. Repeat the process as many times as necessary until all of the spilled paint has been removed from the floor. Avoid using alcohol too many times on the floor, but you can use water and mild soap as much as needed.
For really stubborn paint, try spraying a little latex paint remover on the spot. Let it sit on the paint for a few minutes before scrubbing it off with a wet cloth.[1]X Expert Source Jeff BaldwinResidential PainterExpert Interview
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Removing Oil-Based Paint
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1 Wipe up the paint with a clean cloth. Take a damp cloth to remove as much of the spilled paint as possible. Use the damp cloth scoop up the paint and wipe it, rather than spreading it around. Do this until you can’t remove any more paint with only the damp cloth.
2 Use a cloth with rubbing alcohol. After you’ve wiped up as much paint as possible, pour rubbing alcohol onto a cloth. Place the cloth on top of the area with the spilled paint. You may have to use multiple cloths if the area is large. Allow the cloth to sit on top of the paint for ten minutes. Then, wipe it up with a damp cloth.
3 Dip steel wool into liquid wax. If the paint has not been removed, you can use steel wool and liquid wax to remove the paint. Liquid wax can be bought at many car shops and supermarkets, like Walmart. The steel wool should be superfine, and it can be bought from most grocery stores. Dip the steel wool into the liquid wax and gently scrub the surface until the paint is removed.
4 Clean the area. Once the paint has been removed, you will need to remove all of the cleaning products from the vinyl. Use mild soap and water to clean the area. You can dip a rag into the soap and water, or you can use a mop. Then, allow the floor to dry.
You can apply a coat of wax to protect the floor once it has dried.
5 Use PEC-12. If nothing else works to remove the paint, you can use a product called PEC-12. It’s a commercial solvent that is highly effective in removing oil stains, but it is highly toxic. Make sure to use gloves, a face mask, and eye protection when using it. Apply PEC-12 to the damaged area and use a non-abrasive wipe or cotton balls to wipe off the paint. Then, rinse with water and pat it dry with a cloth.
PEC-12 can be purchased online and at many camera supply shops because it is often used to clean cameras.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Removing Dried Paint
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1 Use a plastic scraper to remove the dried paint. Try scraping off the dried paint with a plastic scraper or plastic spatula. If that doesn’t work, you can use a razor. Be sure to use the razor carefully to avoid damaging the vinyl.
You can also use a spoon.
2 Moisten a cloth in mineral spirits. Pour a small amount of mineral spirits or turpentine on a cloth to moisten it. Rub it over the dried paint until it has loosened up or been removed. Repeat this step as many times as necessary.
3 Apply nail polish remover. If the dried paint has not been removed, pour a small amount of acetone nail polish remover onto a clean cloth. Wipe the area until the dried paint has been removed. You may want to test the nail polish remover on a small spot of the flooring to make sure it won’t damage the vinyl.
4 Wash the area. Use just water or water and mild soap to clean the area. Do this to make sure that there aren’t any remaining chemicals on the floor. Then, pat it dry or allow it to dry on its own.
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Community Q&A
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Question Can oil based paint be removed without using a solvent? Community Answer You can try to remove it using just warm water and soap. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
Question How do I remove dried purple CPVC pipe cleaner off of a vinyl floor? Community Answer Simple Green all-purpose cleaner works wonders! Just spray the floor with it, let it soak a minute, then take it off with a scrub brush. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3
Question How do I remove a large area of dried spray paint from a vinyl floor? Community Answer The techniques mentioned above should be of help. Spray paint isn't too different from normal wall paint. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
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Tips
You can use a paint stripper to remove particularly stubborn paint or paint stains, but only do so as a last resort. There is an increased chance with paint stripper to damage the vinyl surface. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 8
If your vinyl is in a visible place, such as a floor, test a small corner before you apply any chemical to a large area. Do this whenever there is a potential for a corrosive or negative reaction. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 4
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
Warnings
Refrain from using ammonia-based cleaning products, which could damage the vinyl surface. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 2
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Things You'll Need
Shredded paper or cat litter
Water
Mild soap
Clean cloth
Plastic scraper, plastic spatula, or metal spoon
Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
Turpentine
Superfine steel wool pad
Liquid wax
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References
↑ Jeff Baldwin. Residential Painter. Expert Interview
About This Article
Co-authored by: Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter This article was co-authored by Jeff Baldwin. Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. This article has been viewed 255,966 times. 2 votes - 50% Co-authors: 6Updated: May 14, 2025 Views: 255,966 Categories: Removing Paint and Polish Stains | Paint StrippingArticle SummaryX
If you need to remove dried paint from vinyl, try scraping it off with a plastic scraper or spatula. You can use a razor as well, but do your best to avoid scratching or cutting the vinyl. To loosen the paint, pour a small amount of mineral spirits or turpentine on a cloth and rub it on the dried paint until it starts to break down or is removed. Alternatively, pour acetone nail polish onto a cloth and try to loosen the paint. Consider testing the nail polish remover on a small spot of flooring before using this method to make sure it doesn’t damage the vinyl. Once the paint has been removed, wash the area with water and mild soap to clean up any chemicals you used. For more help, like how to remove paint while it’s still wet, read on.Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Ruth Robison
Aug 3, 2017
"The paint I need to remove has totally dried and been there for ages, so I'm going to try the nail polish remover, and hopefully it will work! "..." more Rated this article:
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter 2 votes - 50% Click a star to vote 50% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 6Updated: May 14, 2025 Views: 255,966
Ruth Robison
Aug 3, 2017
"The paint I need to remove has totally dried and been there for ages, so I'm going to try the nail polish remover, and hopefully it will work! "..." more Rated this article:
Ann Mcgonagle
Feb 13, 2018
"Realized only elbow grease will work. Gloss-painted PVC window frames. Been done a few times over the years by the look of it."..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Easy ways to clean dried and fresh paint from vinyl floors Co-authored by Jeff Baldwin 
How to Remove Nail Polish from Carpet 
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Co-authored by: Jeff Baldwin Residential Painter This article was co-authored by Jeff Baldwin. Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing. This article has been viewed 255,966 times. 2 votes - 50% Co-authors: 6 Updated: May 14, 2025 Views: 255,966 Categories: Removing Paint and Polish Stains | Paint Stripping Article SummaryX
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1 Wipe up the spilled paint. Use a dry paper towel or soft cloth to remove as much of the fresh spillage as possible. Wipe it up until there is nothing else you can by simple wiping. If the spill is large, you can contain it with cat litter or shredded paper. 
2 Use damp paper towels. After you’ve wiped up with dry paper towels, use damp paper towels to tackle the rest of the spilled paint. Go over the spilled area until as much of the paint has been removed as possible. The damp paper towels should remove most of the paint. 
3 Mix mild soap and water. To remove the remainder of the paint, mix several drops of mild soap into a bucket of water. Then, dip a clean cloth into the mixture. Use the cloth to clean up the rest of the spilled paint. 
4 Use a cloth with rubbing alcohol. If the paint has still not been removed, pour rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth and gently rub it over the paint. Press the cloth on the stain and allow it remain for ten minutes if the stain has not been removed. Then, remove the cloth and rinse the area with water. 
5 Repeat if necessary. The paint may not be removed completely on the first try. Repeat the process as many times as necessary until all of the spilled paint has been removed from the floor. Avoid using alcohol too many times on the floor, but you can use water and mild soap as much as needed. 
1 Wipe up the paint with a clean cloth. Take a damp cloth to remove as much of the spilled paint as possible. Use the damp cloth scoop up the paint and wipe it, rather than spreading it around. Do this until you can’t remove any more paint with only the damp cloth. 
2 Use a cloth with rubbing alcohol. After you’ve wiped up as much paint as possible, pour rubbing alcohol onto a cloth. Place the cloth on top of the area with the spilled paint. You may have to use multiple cloths if the area is large. Allow the cloth to sit on top of the paint for ten minutes. Then, wipe it up with a damp cloth. 
3 Dip steel wool into liquid wax. If the paint has not been removed, you can use steel wool and liquid wax to remove the paint. Liquid wax can be bought at many car shops and supermarkets, like Walmart. The steel wool should be superfine, and it can be bought from most grocery stores. Dip the steel wool into the liquid wax and gently scrub the surface until the paint is removed. 
4 Clean the area. Once the paint has been removed, you will need to remove all of the cleaning products from the vinyl. Use mild soap and water to clean the area. You can dip a rag into the soap and water, or you can use a mop. Then, allow the floor to dry. 
5 Use PEC-12. If nothing else works to remove the paint, you can use a product called PEC-12. It’s a commercial solvent that is highly effective in removing oil stains, but it is highly toxic. Make sure to use gloves, a face mask, and eye protection when using it. Apply PEC-12 to the damaged area and use a non-abrasive wipe or cotton balls to wipe off the paint. Then, rinse with water and pat it dry with a cloth. 
1 Use a plastic scraper to remove the dried paint. Try scraping off the dried paint with a plastic scraper or plastic spatula. If that doesn’t work, you can use a razor. Be sure to use the razor carefully to avoid damaging the vinyl. 
2 Moisten a cloth in mineral spirits. Pour a small amount of mineral spirits or turpentine on a cloth to moisten it. Rub it over the dried paint until it has loosened up or been removed. Repeat this step as many times as necessary. 
3 Apply nail polish remover. If the dried paint has not been removed, pour a small amount of acetone nail polish remover onto a clean cloth. Wipe the area until the dried paint has been removed. You may want to test the nail polish remover on a small spot of the flooring to make sure it won’t damage the vinyl. 
4 Wash the area. Use just water or water and mild soap to clean the area. Do this to make sure that there aren’t any remaining chemicals on the floor. Then, pat it dry or allow it to dry on its own. Advertisement 
Community Answer You can try to remove it using just warm water and soap. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3 
Community Answer Simple Green all-purpose cleaner works wonders! Just spray the floor with it, let it soak a minute, then take it off with a scrub brush. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 3 
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