A Comfortable Stay

Posted on: 4 August 2015

Vinyl tile is a great flooring option if you don't want the cost of ceramic tile or stone. In fact, if taken care of properly, vinyl shines almost as much as the solid tile options. But, if you're working on a project that requires varnish and you spill some on the vinyl, you might wonder how to remove it, so you don't have to replace the tiles. Using tarp or plastic can prevent these accidents, but things happen, and you might find varnish on your vinyl anyway. If so, follow these steps.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

• 2 rags
• a pair of plastic gloves
• amyl acetate
• a dull knife, such as a butter knife or unsharpened pocketknife.

Note: Purchase amyl acetate at a drugstore or online. Keep in mind that it is flammable and for safety reasons should not come into contact with your skin at any time.

Step 2: Scrape the Varnish

Scrape up as much varnish as possible with the dull knife. If the stain is fairly fresh, you may be able to lift a good amount of it off the tile. Attempt to keep the knife blade turned sideways and kept parallel to the tile to avoid digging into the vinyl.

Step 3: Dab the Stain

Once the excess varnish has been removed, put on your gloves. Use one rag and a small amount of amyl acetate to dissolve the remaining stain. Be sure not to substitute this cleaning substance for something else. Other cleaners, such as acetone, can damage vinyl tiling by discoloring it. Pour just a little water on the affected area and wipe it up with the other rag.

Step 4: Repeat if Needed

After the area has been cleaned and dried, inspect the tiling. If the varnish was not removed quickly enough, repeat steps 2 and 3. If the stain remains, contact a cleaning expert like Kathy's Quality Cleaning, Inc. to have the tile replaced. If this option does not fit your budget right now, toss a throw rug over the area until you can afford to have the proper repairs completed.

The key to getting the varnish off your vinyl tile and preventing permanent damage is to act quickly. In fact, have all these removal products by your side before you begin your project. Remember that even with proper coverage, with a tarp or plastic, accidents can still happen, so it's best to be prepared.