Spilled Shoe Edge Dressing on my Hardwoods...AAAAUUUGH!

[Storm33]

I bought a Woodlore cedar shoe shine box this week because having all of my shoe care products spread all over the place was getting on my nerves. I put everything in the box last night, but unfortunately because the inner dimensions of the box were not tall enough I laid my bottle of black edge dressing on its side in the box.

I went into my office / dressing room today and noticed a funny smell. My sense of smell isn't that great right now (spring allergies) so I thought it was the new cedar. Tonight I was back in there and decided to polish the shoes I wore today. To my horror, there was a 6" pool of black edge dressing oozing out from under the box!

I obviously had not *********** lid on tightly enough the last time I used it. I can't believe I didn't check it before laying it down in the box.

Anyone have experience with a mess like this? I'm trying to get as much of it up as I can, and hoping that the polyurethane coating will prevent the wood from actually being ruined. Any suggestions for an appropriate cleaning solution once I have the majority of the gooey edge dressing up are appreciated.

 

[tsacain]

Is it 3/4 wood flooring or is it the thin crap?

 

[Storm33]

It's 3/4" maple.

 

[L.R.]

FYI: I have years of experience installing, refinishing hardwood floors.


Have you already cleaned it up? It shouldn't leave much of a stain, if any. If it does: try an alcohol clean first, that should work. And it won't have any effect on the floor. If that fails, a paint thinner will do the trick. Just don't use anything abrasive, as you're more likely to scratch the floor than stain it.

 

[Storm33]

Originally Posted by L.R.

FYI: I have years of experience installing, refinishing hardwood floors.


Have you already cleaned it up? It shouldn't leave much of a stain, if any. If it does: try an alcohol clean first, that should work. And it won't have any effect on the floor. If that fails, a paint thinner will do the trick. Just don't use anything abrasive, as you're more likely to scratch the floor than stain it.

That's great to know; thanks! I haven't had a chance yet this week, other than to scrape the thick, gooey part up that had not completely dried. I was also able to clean a small section with Goof Off where it was lightly coated with edge dressing, but it didn't seem to work on the thicker portion. I've been completely buried with work and school; figured if worse came to worst I'd just pay to have it sanded and refinished. I appreciate knowing that I may still be able to get it cleaned off of the surface.

Thank you very much for the advice!