How to Get Paint Out of Carpet

Accidentally spilling paint on your carpet can be a major headache.

Whether you were responsible or the little ones, it’s important not to play the blame game.

Instead, focus on getting paint out of the carpet as soon as possible.

Acting quickly is key since wet paint is easier to remove.

However, before diving into the cleaning process, it’s important to determine whether the paint is water-based (latex) or oil-based.

These types of paint have different properties and require different cleaning methods.

Typically, water-based paint is used for large projects such as walls or ceilings, while oil-based paint is used for smaller, more specific areas like trims, doors, or windows.

To determine the type of paint you’re dealing with, check the label on the side of the tin.

Following this simple tip will help you determine the best course of action to get the paint out of your carpet.

Tools & Materials

Firstly, you’ll need to gather all the necessary tools and materials for the clean up process listed below:

• Cleaning cloths, rags & paper towels (lots of them!)
• Spoon or putty knife
• Toothbrush or scrubbing brush
• Large kitchen knife
• Craft knife
• Old credit or store cards
• Washing up liquid
• Acetone or isopropanol
• Commercial carpet cleaner
• Wet vacuum cleaner
• Rubber gloves

Remove Any Excess Paint

When dealing with excess paint on your carpet, it’s important to approach it with care.

Using a spoon or putty knife can be helpful in collecting any extra blobs of paint.

However, it’s crucial to be mindful not to spread the paint onto any clean areas of the carpet.

Additionally, it’s important to avoid rubbing or pushing the paint deeper into the carpet fibres.

Instead, focus on gently collecting the excess paint.

Once you’ve removed as much paint as possible, it’s time to move onto the next step.

Blotting the remaining paint with a dry rag or paper towel can help to absorb any leftover paint, and prevent it from setting further into the carpet.

How to Get Freshly Spilt Water-Based Paint Out of Carpet

1. Lift Away Excess Paint

Firstly, lift any excess wet paint from your carpet.

It’s best to use the dull edge of a large knife or the edge of an old credit card.

This will allow you to gently scrape away the paint without pushing it deeper into the carpet fibers.

Whatever you do, avoid rubbing the stain with a cloth or paper towel, as this can cause the paint to spread and become even more difficult to remove.

Instead, opt for a scraping motion with a blunt tool to lift away the excess paint as much as possible before moving on to the next step of the cleaning process.

2. Get Blotting

After removing as much of the excess paint as possible, it’s time to focus on removing the remaining paint from the carpet fibers.

Start by using a wet paper towel or a white rag to blot away the paint.

Be sure to keep moving to a clean area of the towel as the paint is transferred to prevent spreading the stain further.

Continue blotting until all of the paint has been removed from the carpet.

This may take some time, but it’s important to be patient and persistent to ensure the best results.

By using a wet paper towel or white rag and blotting carefully, you can effectively remove any remaining paint from your carpet.

How to Get Dried Water-Based Paint Out of Carpet

1. Reactivate the Dried Paint

Creating a solution of hot water and a few drops of washing up liquid can be an effective way to remove dried paint stains from your carpet.

To apply the solution, use a soft-bristled brush, such as an old toothbrush, and dip it into the mixture.

Once the brush is saturated, apply it directly to the dried paint stain on your carpet.

Allow the solution to sit for approximately five minutes, giving it time to soften the paint and make it easier to remove.

By using this method, you can effectively loosen dried paint stains from your carpet fibers and prepare them for the next step in the cleaning process.

2. Blot & Scrape

If you’re dealing with a dried paint stain on your carpet, creating a solution of hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid can be a game changer.

To apply the solution, use a soft-bristled brush, like an old toothbrush, and dip it into the mixture.

Once the brush is saturated, apply it directly to the dried paint stain on your carpet.

Give the solution some time to work its magic by allowing it to sit for approximately five minutes.

During this time, the solution will soften the paint and make it easier to remove.

By using this method, you can effectively loosen dried paint stains from your carpet fibers and prepare them for the next step in the cleaning process.

This is a great way to tackle tough stains and restore your carpet to its former glory.

3. Apply Heat

In case the hot water solution doesn’t do the trick of softening the paint stain, you can try using a handheld clothes steamer or a hot water extraction carpet cleaner.

However, be careful not to place the steamer nozzle or a hot iron directly on the carpet as that can potentially melt the fibres.

Instead, direct the blast of steam at the paint stain and let it work its magic for a few seconds.

Afterward, slowly scrape and blot the area until the paint is completely removed.

With this method, you can effectively remove even the most stubborn paint stains from your carpet without damaging the fibers.

4. Dry & Vacuum

After successfully removing the paint stain, it’s important to allow the carpet to air-dry completely

Once dry, give it a thorough vacuuming to lift the carpet fibers and capture any loose paint particles that might still remain.

This final step is crucial to ensure that your carpet looks and feels as good as new.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove paint stains from your carpet and restore its appearance without the need for expensive professional cleaning services.

How to Get Oil-Based Paint Out of Carpet

Removing oil-based paint from carpet fibers can be a challenging task.

However, the good news is that you can follow the same steps regardless of whether the stain is fresh or dried.

Although the process may take a bit more time and effort, it’s important not to give up and keep working on the stain until it’s completely removed.

With persistence and patience, you can effectively tackle even the toughest oil-based paint stains from your carpet.

1. Lift & Blot

When dealing with wet oil-based paint on your carpet, it’s important to act quickly to prevent the paint from setting in.

Begin by using a dull knife or old credit card to gently lift the excess paint away from the carpet fibers.

Then, use a clothes steamer to apply a blast of heat to the area to keep the paint moist as you work to remove it.

Be sure to continue lifting away the paint and blotting the area with a wet paper towel.

To prevent the paint from spreading, use a straightened paperclip to carefully separate the carpet fibres as you blot with clean paper towels.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove a wet paint drip from your carpet without causing further damage.

2. Blot & Scrape

When dealing with a dry oil-based paint stain on your carpet, you’ll need to use a gentle approach to avoid causing further damage.

Begin by using a dull knife to carefully scrape away as much of the paint as possible without damaging the carpet fibers.

Once you’ve removed as much paint as possible, use a wet paper towel or vacuum cleaner to pick up any remaining flakes of dry paint.

This process may take some time and patience, but by being careful and methodical, you can effectively remove the oil-based paint stain from your carpet.

3. Dilute with Solvent

Once you’ve lifted or scraped off as much of the dried oil-based paint as possible, check the paint can for the recommended solvent, such as mineral spirits, paint thinner, or turpentine.

If the label doesn’t specify, use turpentine.

Before using the solvent, test it on a hidden part of the carpet to make sure it won’t cause discoloration.

Apply a small amount of the solvent to a white cotton cloth, and use it to gently blot the stained area.

Work slowly, moving to a clean part of the cloth as the paint transfers.

Remember to blot and not rub the carpet fibres to avoid spreading the stain further.

4. Clean & Rinse

After removing as much paint as possible, create a solution by mixing hot water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid.

Take a soft-bristled brush and dip it in the solution.

Gently scrub the area where the paint solvent was applied with the brush.

Next, take a clean rag and dip it in water to rinse the area.

Finally, blot away the excess water using paper towels.

This process will help remove any residue left from the solvent and ensure that the carpet is clean and free of any remaining paint stains.

5. Dry & Vacuum

Once you’ve completed the cleaning process, it’s important to allow the carpet to air-dry completely before walking on it or replacing any furniture.

Once the carpet is dry, use a vacuum cleaner to restore the pile and remove any remaining loose debris.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove paint stains from your carpet and restore its appearance to its previous condition.

Contact a Professional Carpet Cleaner

If the paint spill is extensive, it can be challenging to remove all the paint from the carpet.

In this case, it might be best to contact a professional carpet cleaner for assistance.

If the stain persists, you may need to cut out the affected section of the carpet and replace it with a remnant.

Alternatively, you can cover the stain with an area rug until you can replace the entire carpet.