How do you remove dye from laminate flooring?

[chooper786]

The laminate floor in my bathroom has dye/paint on it and I don't know how to get it off. The color came from the dye/decoration on a plastic bag that got wedged under a hamper and got wet. The ink transferred to the floor and now I don't know how to get it off. The flooring is not the best, and I know that if I use a scrubby on it I'll just damage the floor. Any suggestions? The floor is off white, so something that would bleach out the color without damaging the floor might work, but I don't know anything like that either (regular bleach will not work). Thanks!

 

[wbrian63]

Depends on whether the dye has penetrated the flooring finish, or whether it's really just lying on top. Can you feel the dye spot with your fingers if you brush across it? (Close your eyes - it helps to concentrate on the sensation). If so, I'd try something like goo-gone, or other citrus-based cleansers. Most flooring finishes will stand up to that with no issue.

If the dye has penetrated the finish, cover it up with a larger trash can - most anything you do to get the dye out is also going to remove the finish.

If you know the brand of the flooring, contact the manufacturer - they can be of great assistance in this area.

 

[gabeancounter]

Can you feel the dye spot with your fingers if you brush across it? (Close your eyes - it helps to concentrate on the sensation).

Sounds like good advice!

 

[wbrian63]

I did my best to write that in a manner which could not be hijacked for other purposes. Task: fail... Oh well... Leave it to a CPA to find the anomaly in the figures...

All kidding aside, your eyes will confuse the process. If there's a distinct boundary between the dye spot and the flooring, keeping your eyes open will usually result in you feeling a difference, because the eyes tell you there's a difference. Closing your eyes removes that part of the equation.

In woodworking, that's one of the tests for finish quality - how does it feel to the touch with closed eyes? That's not to say it can feel real smooth and look really bad...

 

[gabeancounter]

Just could not resist! I think it was the word "sensation". Reminds me of a KY commercial. I tend to find that closing my eyes helps with the appearance.

Seriously, I think your advice is sound. Contacting the manufacturer, if known, is the best solution.