How to Remove Paint from Tile and Grout

Painting can be messy business, even a single drop can wreak havoc on your floors and furniture. While you can easily cover and move furniture when painting, tile and grout are a different matter. The most meticulous painter will occasionally find an errant drop that went unnoticed. It is certainly easier to remove the paint spill before it has dried, giving you precious minutes to wipe up the wet paint. But even paint that has dried onto the tile or grout, can be removed without damaging the floor when done properly.

Removing Paint from Tile and Grout that Has Dried On

Getting Dried Paint Off Tile

It is best to be vigilant when painting, wiping up any spill or drips immediately. Wet paint is much easier to remove completely than it will be once it has dried. However, this is not always possible and paint spills, splatters and drips are often not discovered until they have dried.

The easiest way to remove dried-on paint from tile is to gently scrape it off using a razor blade. Use short strokes, holding the blade at a 45-degree angle. As you scrape the area, wipe it down with a damp cloth. This will remove the pieces of paint as you scrape them away.

If the tiles are fragile and damaging them with a razor blade is a concern, you can use a commercial paint remover or a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Apply the solution with a soft cloth to the area and let it set for several minutes. This will soften the dried paint, making it easier to scrape away.

Getting Dried Paint Out Grout

When the paint has already dried on the grout, you will need a solvent to remove it. There are a number of commercial products for doing this, but you will want to make sure that these are formulated for tile and grout so that they are not abrasive enough to damage the floor.

One of the best products for this is simply rubbing alcohol. Be sure you don’t put the rubbing alcohol directly on grout, as it can cause discoloring and staining of colored grout. Instead, moisten a cloth and gently blot the area where the paint has dried on. Commercial solvents are also available that are specifically designed for removing paint from grout.

For stubborn paint that has penetrated the grout, a battery-powered toothbrush can gently scrub away the top layer of the grout, removing the paint with it. Larger stains may require both a solvent solution and the action of the toothbrush’s bristles to fully remove the paint stain.

With a little time and patience, even paint that has dried on tile and grout can be effectively removed.

If you need additional help removing paint from tile and grout, let us know by submit a form online or call us at (314) 227-3932. We can provide you a free quote!

About Woodard Cleaning & Restoration

Woodard Cleaning & Restoration was founded in 1946 by Earl and Nancy Woodard. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Woodard services the greater metro area (Illinois, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, St. Louis County, and many more). Woodard is proud to serve as the preferred provider for cleaning & restoration services. Our cleaning services include carpet, hard surface, furniture, and rug cleaning for both residential and commercial properties. We also provide water, fire, board-up, storm and smoke restoration services for residential and commercial clients. For information or questions submit a form online or call us at (314) 227-3932.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Updated 4/6/2021