# Best latex paint remover for tile and hardwood floors?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-latex-paint-remover-for-tile-and-hardwood-floors/808934>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [February 16, 2018, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-latex-paint-remover-for-tile-and-hardwood-floors/808934 "2018-02-16T16:38:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-latex-paint-remover-for-tile-and-hardwood-floors/808934/1 "2018-02-16T16:38:45Z")

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Been painting. No major spills. We used drop cloths.

But invariably a stray droplet will land on the floor and not get cleaned off before it dries.

I’m a bit unsure what to use on hardwood floors? I don’t want to damage the floors finish removing latex paint.

Bathroom has standard tile. We painted this week. Any tips on removing any latex paint drops?

I used Goof Off many years ago. IIRC it will damage any varnished surfaces. Dulling the finish.

The floors in this house use the inexpensive snap together hardwood flooring. Standard, cheap builder grade material. It will be replaced in a few years.

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**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-latex-paint-remover-for-tile-and-hardwood-floors/808934/2 "2018-02-16T16:41:18Z")

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On tile I’ve always used a razor blade. And goof off as you mentioned, but I’ve got no varnished wood work.

GaryM

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**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-latex-paint-remover-for-tile-and-hardwood-floors/808934/3 "2018-02-16T16:43:45Z")

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Yep, try a razor first.

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**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-latex-paint-remover-for-tile-and-hardwood-floors/808934/4 "2018-02-16T16:55:32Z")

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For wood just start with a plastic putty knife or a credit card. Finish with a scouring pad and maybe a little oil.

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**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2018, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-latex-paint-remover-for-tile-and-hardwood-floors/808934/5 "2018-02-16T20:49:18Z")

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A chemical no stronger than mineral spirits should not harm the floor, warm the area with a hair drier, use a credit card or soft scouring pad with mineral spirits and it should come right up.