What Can Be Used to Get Liquid Paper Off a Sealed Hardwood Floor?

Mild Detergent

• If you can get to the Liquid Paper before it dries, you may be able to wipe it up with nothing more than a mild solution of detergent and water. Place warm water in a bowl and add enough detergent to form suds, then dip a sponge or soft cloth in the mixture and rub it across the part of the floor where the spill occurred. Clean up as much of the Liquid Paper as you can, then gently scrape any dried material off the floor with a plastic putty knife or straight edge. Apply the straight edge sparingly and use a gentle touch to avoid scratching the floor.

Wood Cleaning Solvent

• If the Liquid Paper has already dried by the time you find it, a wood cleaning solvent should remove it and prevent it from leaving a permanent stain. The manufacturer of the floor can recommend some good solvents, and you can find them at your local hardware store or home improvement center. Test the solvent on a hidden area of the floor first, since some solvents can remove the sealant and even change the color of the wood. If the solvent passes that test, apply it to the entire stained area, allow it to soak in and pick up the liquid paper, then wipe away the excess cleaning solution with a soft dry cloth.

Spray Lubricant

• You can use a spray lubricant like the kind used to loosen stuck bolts. Just spray a small amount on the area where the liquid paper has spilled and allow it to soak up the stain. The spray lubricant will combine with the Liquid Paper and create a goo that you can then wipe up with a damp cloth. Be sure to clean the area thoroughly after you are sure the Liquid Paper is gone, then apply a quality wood conditioner to the previously stained area.

Mineral Spirits

• If you have a particularly stubborn Liquid Paper stain, you can use mineral spirits to lift it off the floor and wipe it away. Use caution with mineral spirits, however, since they can change the color of the floor. If you plan to use this solution, test it on a hidden area of the floor first to make sure it will not adversely affect the appearance of the floor. If the mineral spirits pass that test, apply a small amount to a soft cloth, then wipe it over the stained area. Allow the mineral spirits to soak in and pick up the Liquiid Paper, then wipe away the excess with another clean soft cloth.