How to Remove Varnish on Tile

Keeping your tiled backsplash or footboard clean is key to making sure your home looks as pristine as possible. Luckily, most tiles are treated with a clear sealant that prevents stains from settling into them. So, if you’ve accidentally spilled or dropped varnish in your tiles, you can remove it with cleaning solutions and procedures that are strong enough to remove the varnish but gentle enough that they won't damage the tile.

Liquid dish soap
Sponge
Paint stripper
Superfine steel wool
Clean cloth

Instructions

- 1
  Mix 4 drops liquid dish soap with 1 cup hot water until the water is sudsy.
- 2
  Dip a sponge into the soapy water and scrub it over the tiles until they are completely clean and still covered with the dish soap.
- 3
  Scrub the tiles with a piece of superfine steel wool until the paint is gone. Don’t rub too hard as you can scratch the tile. It is likely that some of the paint will still be on the tile.
- 4
  Rinse the tiles with clear water and dry them completely with a clean cloth.
- 5
  Spray the tiles with paint stripper or, if the tile stripper is liquid, paint it directly onto the tiles. Choose a paint stripper that is safe for the type of tile you have.
- 6
  Let the paint stripper sit for several minutes according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- 7
  Scrub the tile up with a piece of superfine steel wool until the tiles are completely clean.
- 8
  Rinse the tiles with clear water and dry them completely with a clean cloth.

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