Paint remover can be harsh and contain toxic chemicals, but you don’t have to turn to such dangerous products to remove old paint from the walls of your home or business. Instead, you can use natural methods and materials to loosen and remove the paint from any surface safely and effectively so that you can repaint without worrying about harming your health or the environment. Here are four great natural paint removers that you should keep on hand at all times.
Vinegar
Paint can be a headache to remove when it sticks, but vinegar is the perfect solution because it’s safe and cheap. Mix two cups of distilled white vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda and scrub away at the paint until you have removed all traces. You’ll need to wear gloves for this one! Alternatively, if you’re not comfortable using your hands as a brush, then grab an old toothbrush. Take a small amount of vinegar in your hands and mix it with enough water to make the consistency thick like pancake batter or oatmeal. Then dip your toothbrush into the mixture before getting to work on painting residue!
Baking Soda
To use baking soda as a paint thinner, add one cup of baking soda with two cups of water in a plastic container, shake well, and use like you would any other paint thinner. You can also make a paste by mixing the powder with cold water and adding it to the surface where you want to remove the paint. Let the mixture sit for five minutes before wiping it away with a damp cloth. Baking soda is also useful for removing old paint off metal surfaces such as copper pots or cast iron skillets. Simply mix half a teaspoon of salt into 1/2 cup of baking soda, then apply this mixture to the metal surface. Wait 10-15 minutes before scrubbing off the residue with an abrasive pad dipped in clean water. Remember that because this solution may cause rusting on some metals, always test it first on an inconspicuous area and only scrub long enough until all the old paint is gone without leaving behind any residue or damage!
Hot Water
One of the easiest ways to remove paint is with hot water. Place a pan of water on your stove or in the oven and turn it up as high as possible. Once it’s boiling, set down your surface and let it sit in the water for as long as possible (up to an hour) before scrubbing gently with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. If you don’t want any heat, try pouring boiling water over the top of the paint until it bubbles up and washes away.
