Remove paint from carpeting: How to Remove Paint from Carpet

How to Remove Paint from Carpet

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It’s the stuff of nightmares for any do-it-yourselfer who takes on a weekend painting project. Even though you carefully covered the floor with drop cloths or plastic sheeting, drips and drops of paint still somehow managed to reach the carpeting underneath. It’s frustrating, to be sure. But the good news is that, more often than not, you can remove paint from carpet using only a handful of everyday household items. So for the time being, hold off on shopping for a replacement carpet. Whether the paint remains wet or has had time to dry, it’s well worth trying to undo your mishap by following these simple step-by-step cleaning instructions.

Tools & Materials

• Dish detergent
• Carpet stain remover
• Clothes iron
• Paper towels
• Table knife
• Rags

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If you notice the accident right away, move quickly to act before the paint dries.

Blot, Don’t Scrub.

Whatever you do, no matter how desperately you want to remove paint from carpet, resist the urge to scrub. The last thing you want to do is force the paint into the fibers of the carpet. Instead, with paper towels (lots of them), gently blot up as much of the paint as you possibly can.

Grab the Dish Soap.

With all or most of the excess paint out of the way, you can focus more closely on treating the affected area. In a small bowl, combine warm water with a modest amount of dish soap. Soak the corner of a clean rag in the water-and-soap solution, then continue blotting the stain. Start on the outside and gradually work toward the center. If, along the way, moisture accumulates on the carpet, soak up the water with paper towels. Continue blotting until you’ve removed all the paint.

When All Else Fails.

So long as you’re dealing with latex or water-based paint, you can expect to see results with the combination of diluted dish soap and the blotting method. But if you don’t seem to be getting anywhere, remember that you have one other viable option: commercial carpet stain remover. Application techniques vary by product; be sure to act in keeping with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Photo: fotosearch.com

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If you failed to notice the stain on the carpet until after the paint had dried completely, don’t lose hope. Removing dried paint takes more work, but it’s not impossible to do.

Clear a Path.

Before doing anything else, first scrape away any loose, flaking bits of paint with a table knife (sharp enough to do the trick, but not so sharp that it would damage or cut off the carpet fibers).

Soak the Area.

In a small bowl, combine hot water with a modest amount of dish soap. Carefully pour some of the solution onto the stain, letting the soapy water soak into, and soften, the dried paint.

Steam Power.

If the hot, soapy water did not succeed in softening the paint, plan B is to steam the area using either a handheld steamer or a clothing iron configured to the steam setting. Note that if you end up using an iron, place a wet rag between the carpet and the iron to avoid scorching the fibers.

Scrape and Blot.

Now that the dried paint has softened, go back to gently scraping it off the carpet fibers, bit by bit. If and when necessary, blot the paint with a moistened rag or dry paper towels.

When All Else Fails.

Many homeowners have managed to rescue their carpeting by following the steps described above. Given all the variables at play, however, no technique can be guaranteed to work in all cases. If, for all of your efforts, some paint residue still remains, don’t hesitate to give commercial carpet cleaner a shot.

Indeed, even when you’re very careful, there’s always a chance, however remote, of paint ending up on the carpet. It happens to the best of us. Sure, a mishap like that might ruin your day—but it doesn’t have to ruin your carpet!

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How To Easily Get Any Kind Of Paint Out Of Carpeting

Whether it’s wet or dry, oil-based or acrylic—it’s all about the blotting, baby.

Paint on the carpet is a major whoopsie daisy. Whether it was you or your kiddos, no need to point fingers or place blame. Let’s just get straight to the getting it out of the carpet part. And the sooner the better. You want to get to that paint while it’s still wet so you’ve got a chance at removing it.

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Before diving into your cleaning, it’s important to know what sort of paint you’re dealing with. Water-based paint (aka latex paint) and oil-based paint behave super differently and are made up of very different ingredients, so you’ll treat their respective stains … well, differently. Generally, water-based paints are used for big projects, like painting walls or ceilings. Because oil-based paints are more durable, they’re often used on smaller, more site-specific stuff like doors, windows or trim. The easiest—and most obvious—way to know which sort of paint you’ve spilled on the carpet is to check the label on the can or bottle. (You’re so welcome for that helpful tip.)

But first, some tips

• The thing about paint removers is that they’re generally hella abrasive. Acetone, turpentine, paint thinner and even isopropyl alcohol can discolor your carpet. We recommend testing a little spot in an unassuming corner before going ham on the paint stain and potentially ruining your carpet in the process.
• Also, it’s worth noting that however enthusiastic you are about removing the paint from the carpet, you should strive to use as little of the cleaning product as possible.
• And never apply the solution straight onto the carpet—apply it to a clean (white!) rag, and then blot at the stain to get the paint out.
• Using a colored rag to clean the paint may result in transferring dye onto your carpet, amplifying your existing mess.
• We’re assuming your space is already pretty ventilated (because you’re painting, hello), but be sure to open all the windows and run the fans while cleaning the paint with any sort of potentially harmful products. We’d wear gloves, too.

Okay, here we go. Hopefully your paint stain hasn’t dried while you were reading all those tips. Let’s get down to it.

Start by removing any excess paint from the carpet

• Use a spoon or putty knife to collect extra gobs of puddling paint from your carpet.
• Careful not to spread the paint around to any not-yet-stained areas.
• Try not to rub or push the paint deeper into the carpet while doing this part.
• Blot excess paint with a dry rag or paper towel.

How to get acrylic paint out of a carpet

These techniques are listed from the most gentle to the most abrasive. Good luck!

How to get oil-based paint out of a carpet

You’ll need to be a bit more extreme with this stuff. For oil-based paint stains on the carpet, it could take several tries to fully dissolve that stubborn pigment. Just keep on blotting, baby.

Ready-Made Carpet Cleaner, Then Paint Remover

• As with all ready-made cleaning products, best to read and follow the directions on the label.
• Soak a clean rag with the ready-made cleaning solution.
• Blot the stain thoroughly with the rag until the spot is saturated.
• Wet another clean rag with paint remover, and blot the area until the paint stain lifts.
• Finish by blotting with (another!) rag soaked with cold water to remove cleaner and paint remover residue.
• Okay, one more rag, though. Using a dry rag, blot the spot to soak up the water, and let the spot air dry.

If you don’t have paint remover on hand,

• 100% acetone or hydrogen peroxide are solid alternatives.
• Heads up: You’re definitely risking bleaching your carpet. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. We said it earlier, but in case you skimmed over that part: Best to test these products on a discreet section of carpet before applying to the paint stain.

And finally,

• You’ll want to shampoo your carpet once you’ve got the paint stain out, since you’ve just drenched it with chemicals. (It probably stinks a bit, too.)
• Once your carpet dries, hit it with a vacuum.

How to get water-based paint out of a carpet

This one’s easy.

• Dish Soap + Warm Water
  • Blot at the paint stain with a clean, dry rag to clean up any excess paint pooling on top of the carpet.
  • Soak a rag or paper towel directly into the soapy solution.
  • Wet blot the stain with your rag or paper towel until the stain dissolves.
  • Blot dry with a clean, dry rag or dry paper towels.
  • Let the spot air dry completely.
• If the paint stain is still visible on your carpet, try hitting the spot with a handheld steamer, and continue to blot with your soapy rag until the stain dissolves.

How to get latex paint out of a carpet

(Hint: Latex paint is water-based paint. But for the sake of redundancy, we’ve listed them separately.)

• Dish Soap + Warm Water
  • Blot at the paint stain with a clean, dry rag to clean up any excess paint pooling on top of the carpet.
  • Soak a rag or paper towel directly into the soapy solution.
  • Wet blot the stain with your rag or paper towel until the stain dissolves.
  • Blot dry with a clean, dry rag or dry paper towels.
  • Let the spot air dry completely.
• If the paint stain is still visible on your carpet, try hitting the spot with a handheld steamer, and continue to blot with your soapy rag until the stain dissolves.

How to get dried paint out of a carpet

Ah, no. The stain dried out while you were reading this article, didn’t it? We were afraid of that.

Step 1: Scrape

• Scrape off as much dried paint as possible with a knife or using needle-nose pliers.
• Vacuum up the dried paint chip bits.

Step 2: Steam

• Using a handheld steamer, steam over the remaining dried paint for a few minutes to soften the paint. The steam will dampen the paint stain, softening up the dried paint and making it easier to remove.
• No steamer? (So how do you get the wrinkles out of your silks?!) Try pouring a bit of hot (like, boiling hot) water onto the dried paint.
• Let the hot water soak into the paint stain for a couple minutes to get it to soften.
• Blot at the newly wet paint stain with a damp rag to remove as much paint as you can before moving onto the next step.

Step 3: Blot with soapy water

• Add 1 drop of dish soap to 1 cup of water.
• Blot at the paint stain with the soapy water solution until the stain lifts.
• Blot the spot with a clean, wet rag to remove soapy residue.

Step 4: Paint stain still there? Try rubbing alcohol.

• Soak a rag in isopropyl alcohol until it’s saturated.
• Blot the stain with the alcohol soaked rag as needed.
• Let the paint stain soak in the alcohol for 15–20 minutes.
• Dry blot the area with a clean rag to soak up residual rubbing alcohol.

Wow, that was a lot of blotting. Hopefully it paid off and the paint stain is gone. But does your carpet smell kinda funky now? Like, oh, say paint and acetone? We’ve also got some suggestions for how to deodorize your carpet.

• cleaning
• floors
• dawn

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How and how to remove a paint stain from a carpet – Pro Carpet

Aleksey Rusakov

Technologist-specialist Pro Carpet
Over 20 years of experience

Paint stains on a carpet are a nuisance that can happen to anyone. Small repairs, tricks of children who painted with gouache or watercolor and went beyond the canvas, a drop of hair dye – all this often ends up on carpets. About how and with what you can independently clean the carpet from various paints and at the same time not spoil it – we will tell in our material.

General recommendations for removing paint from carpet

It is easiest to remove fresh paint from carpet before it dries. Otherwise, it will harden and it will be very difficult to separate it from the pile.

A plain cloth is best for removing all paints. Unlike paper, due to weaving, it more effectively collects paint on itself.

If the paint is thick (sour cream consistency), pick up the paint with a spatula, the blunt side of a knife, or any other thin object.

Move from the edges of the spot towards the center. So you do not increase its area.

If the paint is liquid, cover the stain with a cloth around the edge: such a barrier will not allow the paint to spread much over a large area.

Remove excess paint with light strokes so as not to drive the paint deep into the pile and the base of the carpet.

Please do not use aggressive products to clean the carpet from paint: acetone, white spirit, nail polish remover. They are able to discolor the pile of the carpet and even burn holes in it!

How to clean acrylic paint from a carpet

Acrylic paint is a water-dispersed product based on polyacrylates. It will not work to remove it from the carpet exclusively with water, but you can do without extreme means.

Remove excess paint from the carpet with a white cloth.

Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to a white flannel or cotton cloth. Wipe the contaminated area. If necessary, repeat several times, each time using a clean part of the tissue.

Wipe the area to be treated with a cloth or sponge dampened with warm water to remove peroxide residue from the carpet.

Dry: Take a white paper towel and press gently on the wet area to absorb excess moisture. Let the carpet dry naturally.

Please note! Hydrogen peroxide can bleach colored and dark carpets. Test before use on an inconspicuous area. Peroxide is not suitable for cleaning silk and viscose carpets.

How to remove hair dye from a carpet

Hair dye must be removed from the carpet as quickly as possible: otherwise, the fibers may become discolored (if you use lightening dye) or, on the contrary, take on a new shade.

Shampoo method

To stop the chemical reaction, use water and shampoo (ideal for deep cleansing of hair).

Wet the sponge with warm water. Apply shampoo to it.

Rub the stained area until it foams.

Remove the foam with a sponge, wash the stain with warm water so that the shampoo is washed off the carpet.

Dry the carpet with a white paper towel, pressing it gently against the wet area. Let the carpet dry naturally.

Skin color remover or make-up remover method

If color pigment is left on the carpet, use a skin color remover (remover, lotion – they are sold in hairdressing stores). An alternative option is a waterproof makeup remover (two-phase).

Apply to a cotton pad and rub until the stain disappears. As the disc becomes stained, turn it over or change it to use a clean area each time. It is important not to smear the paint even more!

After the stain is gone, wipe the area with a damp sponge dipped in plain water.

Dry with paper towel.

How to remove water-based or latex stains from carpet

Water-based and latex paints are water-based. In the first case, the composition includes coloring pigments and polymers, while pigment and vinyl particles are added to the latex one. But since in both cases the base is water, then, as a rule, there are no great difficulties with the removal of such stains.

Remove excess paint from the carpet with a white cloth.

Try scrubbing the stain with a sponge dipped in warm water. If the contamination is fresh and small in area, in some cases it is washed off without any means.

If the paint does not wash off with water, use regular dishwashing detergent. Mix 1 tablespoon of the product with 1 glass of water, mix and apply to the stain.

Scrub with sponge until foam forms.

Wipe with a clean sponge dampened with water to remove any remaining detergent from the carpet.

Dry the carpet with a paper towel and allow to dry naturally.

How to remove an oil paint stain from a carpet

Oil paint is a suspension containing vegetable oils and drying oils, a wax solution, natural resins, inorganic pigments and additives that increase the durability of the paint. It is easy to guess that it is impossible to dissolve such an “explosive” mixture with ordinary water.

Oil paint is thinned with acetone and a solvent such as white spirit. But, unfortunately, it is dangerous to treat carpets with such aggressive agents: the fibers may simply not withstand the effects of chemistry, and you will get a bald spot or a hole in place of the stain.

A safer way is treatment with glycerol .

Use a construction trowel or the blunt side of a knife to remove excess paint from the carpet. Try not to press too hard so as not to damage the pile mechanically.

Blot the stained area with a white dry cloth: it will pick up some of the paint.

Apply glycerin to a dry paper towel and blot the stain from the edges to the center. As the towel becomes soiled with paint, replace it to always use a clean surface.

After the paint has been removed, wash the carpet with mild soap and water. To prepare it, mix 1 teaspoon of liquid soap or dishwashing liquid with 1 cup of warm water. Apply the solution with a sponge to the place where the stain was and rub to form a foam. Remove foam and rinse with a clean damp sponge.

Dry the carpet with a paper towel and allow to dry naturally.

How to get rid of traces of watercolor or gouache on a carpet

Children’s creativity often goes beyond the boundaries of a sheet of paper. If paint for drawing got on the carpet – watercolor or gouache – do not rush to scold the child. These paints are the easiest to wash off the pile!

Remove excess paint from carpet. It is enough to blot liquid watercolor with a paper towel. Thick gouache – collect with a teaspoon or the blunt end of a knife.

Prepare a mild soapy solution: 1 teaspoon of liquid soap or dish detergent in a glass of warm water.

Using a sponge, apply the soapy solution to the stain, rub until foaming.

Collect foam. Rinse the stained area with clean water.

Dry the carpet with paper towels or paper towels and allow to dry naturally.

There are some brands of gouache whose pigments are more durable. If you got just this one, treat the stain with a permanent makeup remover (two-phase). After – wash the treatment area with soapy water according to the recipe described above.

How do I remove paint from a carpet if it is dry?

Old stains are harder to remove. To clean old paint, you first need to soak the stain.

To clean a dried stain of Water Emulsion, Acrylic or Latex Paint as follows:

Remove excess paint with the blunt side of a knife if possible. Don’t tear the pile!

Make a mild soapy solution (1 teaspoon of dish detergent or liquid soap to 1 cup of warm water) and apply to the stain. Leave for 10-20 minutes for the paint to soak.

Sponge the stain, working from the edges to the center.

If the stain persists, use a clean sponge to apply glycerin to the stain. Leave for 3 hours. After – try again to wash the paint with soapy water.

Rinse carpet with clean water and dry with paper towels.

Stubborn stains from watercolour, gouache and hair dye can be removed in the same way.

If there is no glycerin in the house, you can use a weak vinegar solution: mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar 9% with 1 glass of water. Apply to the stain, cover with a damp cloth or cling film so that the solution does not dry out and leave the compress for 1-3 hours. Then wash with soapy water.

Dried spots of oil paint – the most difficult case. If such a nuisance happened to your carpet, try using turpentine. It well dissolves fats, oils and resins – everything that is in the composition of oil paint.

Remove excess paint with the dull side of a knife if possible.

Wet a white cloth with turpentine. Apply turpentine to the paint with blotting movements. Rub the stain a little: the paint should begin to move away from the fibers. Remember to change sides of the napkin so you use a clean cloth each time. Otherwise, the paint will smear even more on the carpet.

After most of the paint has been removed, wash the treated area with soapy water (1 teaspoon of dish detergent or liquid soap to 1 cup of warm water).

Rinse the carpet with clean water to remove any residue and dry with paper towels.

On the Internet, on various websites and forums, you can find advice to clean the carpet from paint with hairspray, nail polish remover, acetone, thinners or pure alcohol. Please don’t subject your carpet to such torture! Aggressive products can dissolve not only paint, but also damage the carpet: leave whitish marks, “burns” on the pile, or even holes.

Professional carpet cleaning from paint

The most effective and at the same time safe way to clean carpets from various types of paint is professional dry cleaning. Based on the composition of the carpet, as well as the type of paint, the optimal processing method is selected. In-home carpet cleaning is suitable for removing water-based paint stains from factory carpets. In this case, the extractor method is used, when the detergent composition is dissolved in water. Work is carried out at home and takes about 1 hour.

Handmade carpets, delicate products – silk, viscose, as well as carpets that have been stained with oil paint or have a large area of ​​pollution, we recommend cleaning at the factory. The technologist selects the optimal cleaning mode for each carpet. Products that are not contraindicated for wetting with water (synthetic, woolen, cotton factory carpets) are washed on a specialized line. Carpets that are afraid of water are cleaned in organic solvents.

The cleaning performance of Pro Carpet in removing paint stains on carpets of various compositions is shown in the table below.

Acrylic, water-based, latex, watercolor and gouache

Oil and hair dyes

As with other stains, the key is to act quickly when paint gets on carpet. Try to remove excess paint according to the advice from the beginning of the article, and then immediately call a cleaning specialist. Spots whose “age” is less than 3 days are much more amenable to removal. We also do not recommend washing the stain yourself with household cleaning products: during subsequent professional cleaning, they can give an undesirable chemical reaction.

Removing paint from a carpet using the extractor method – watch the video!

Any questions?
Write to us or call us at 8 (495) 532-43-11 . Our consultations are free!

Ask a question

Have questions?
Write to us
or call
8 (495) 532-43-11
Our consultations are free!

Ask a question

See also

How and how to remove plasticine from the carpet

Methods for self-removal of plasticine from the carpet using improvised and household tools.

How to remove wax from the carpet

Effective and safe ways to remove wax from the carpet from a candle or for depilation.

How to clean tea from carpet?

Methods for removing tea stains from carpets: black, green, with milk or cream.

How to remove paint stains from a carpet, removing paint from a carpet in Moscow

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January 23, 2021

Not a single, even the smallest cosmetic repair is complete without dirt and dust. The best way to keep your belongings from getting dirty during a renovation is to take them out of the house. However, this possibility is not always available. Most often, we have to be content with packing household utensils and furniture, but there is always a chance to “plant” a stain. And as practice shows, carpets and carpets most often suffer. But do not despair! A little patience and our tips can save your carpet from water-based paint stains!

Remove dried paint

Water-based paint consists of acrylic copolymers or acrylic resins that cure quickly and become resistant to water. The sooner you find the stain, the easier it will be to get rid of it. Dried spots are among the most persistent. Over time, the paint “eats” into the fibers of the carpet and it becomes problematic to remove the stain with chemistry alone.

• First, mechanically remove excess dried paint. This can be done with a non-sharp knife.
• Mix 1 tablespoon of clear dishwashing liquid with a glass of warm water. Apply the solution to the stain with a white paper towel or rag. Continue wetting the stain until the carpet absorbs the liquid. Gently rub the stain in a circular motion from the edges to the center.
• If the paint has not softened and is not being removed from the carpet, take a sponge soaked in glycerin. Wipe the stain and leave for 3-4 hours. After the specified time has passed, try washing the stain again with a solution of water and dishwashing liquid.
• If the stain persists, use a special water-based paint remover. You can replace it with a solution of ordinary vinegar: 1 tablespoon per glass of water.
• After removing the stain, be sure to rinse the carpet with clean water and allow to dry.

Fresh Paint Stain Removal

If you are lucky enough to notice the stain before the paint has dried, take a clean white cloth or cloth and dab the paint off. Try to move from the edges of the stain to the center – this will allow you not to “smear” the stain even more. Wipe the “residual” stain with a damp sponge dipped in cold water. Perhaps at this stage the stain will disappear. If the paint has begun to dry and does not come off with water, use cleaning solutions (1 tablespoon of dishwashing detergent per glass of water). Using a white cloth or rag, apply the solution to the stain, rub gently. Rinse with clean water and wait until the carpet is completely dry.

Attention!

• Be sure to test the product on an inconspicuous area of ​​the carpet before you start treating the stain. In the event that low-quality dyes were used to color the product, the reaction may be unpredictable!
• Do not use hot water! From this, the paint can “eat” even more!
• Do not dry the carpet with a hair dryer or other heating devices! This may result in deformation of the product.