Removing Tar From Floor Tiles

Ceramic, Porcelain and Vinyl Tiles

• 1

  Scrape off as much excess tar as you can using a dull-edged tool such as a paint stirring stick or a non-serrated, dull butter knife. Knives can scratch tile, so use a light touch.

• 2

  Apply a thick layer of butter or mineral oil on the tar stain.

• 3

  Scrape the tile again with the dull scraping tool. Do not wipe off the oily material at this point; work it into any tar that hasn’t softened.

• 4

  Wipe off the oily residue and loosened tar with a paper towel.

• 5

  Apply more butter or oil to the tile if any tar remains. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrape off the remainder of the stain.

• 6

  Dampen a clean rag with degreasing floor cleaner.

• 7

  Wipe the oily residue with the cleaner, turning the rag frequently, until the oil is dissolved.

• 8

  Rinse the rag in plain water, and wipe the floor to remove all traces of cleaner.

Linoleum Tiles

• 9

  Apply masking tape around the perimeter of the tar stain. This helps prevent spreading the stain.

• 10

  Scrape off as much tar as you can with a wooden scraping tool such as a paint stirring stick or a wooden craft stick; metal tools can permanently scar linoleum.

• 11

  Dampen a white rag with full-strength mineral spirits or turpentine. Solvents can cause rags with any color to deposit stains on the linoleum.

• 12

  Wipe the tar inside the taped outline with the damp rag. Turn the rag frequently to reveal a clean side, which helps avoid redepositing or spreading the tar stain. Switch to a fresh rag as necessary, if the first one becomes covered in tar. Continue until all tar residue is removed.

• 13

  Dampen a clean rag with plain water. Wipe the floor inside the taped outline, turning the rag frequently.