How to Get Paint Out of Carpet Like a Pro

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n essential step in prepping a room for paint is covering flooring and furniture to protect them from spatters or spillages. But even after the most careful cover-ups, accidents can happen. If you have wooden floors, wiping up pain spillages is a cinch. But it can be more panic-inducing when paint soaks into the pile of your plush carpet.

Fortunately, you don’t always have to rely on a professional contractor for cleanup. According to Russ DeLozioer, president of The Carpet and Rug Institute, the most important factor, whatever the stain or spill, is to act quickly. Follow these expert-approved instructions to learn how to get paint out of carpets.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Rounded spoon or putty knife
  • Spray bottle
  • Vacuum cleaner

Materials

  • Disposable white cleaning cloths
  • Paper towels
  • Rubber gloves
  • Liquid dishwashing detergent
  • Nail polish remover (Acrylic or oil-based paint removal only)
  • Dry solvent (Acrylic or oil-based paint removal only)

Instructions

Before You Tackle the Stain

  1. Blot Up Excess Wet Paint ASAP
    Immediately blotting up excess wet paint can prevent a tough-to-remove carpet stain from developing, especially when dealing with stubborn oil-based paint spillages. DeLozioer recommends blotting with a white absorbent cloth or white paper towels. Using a colored cloth could risk transferring dyes to your carpet. If there’s a lot of liquid, scoop up the worst of it carefully with a spoon or the edge of an old credit card first. “Never scrub the stained area,” DeLozioer says. “This can cause damage to the carpet fibers.” It can also push the paint further into the carpet.
  2. Scrape Away Semi-Solid Paint
    You want to deal with paint spillages immediately. Once the paint soaks into the carpet fibers and dries in, removing it is trickier. However, if the paint does harden, remove as much as possible before applying any cleaning solutions.“Gently scrape up any semi-solids with a rounded spoon,” DeLozioer says. Then, break up any hard paint and vacuum to remove the residue.
  3. Identify Paint Type
    The carpet cleaning technique differs depending on the paint type. Water-based latex paints are the easiest to remove, followed by more durable acrylics. Thick, water-repelling, oil-based formulas typically need extra cleaning products to shift them from your carpets. Double-check which paint type is the culprit before cleaning commences.
  4. Protect Flooring Under Area Rugs
    If the paint has dripped onto an area rug that sits on top of hardwood flooring, place a plastic sheet under the rug before you start cleaning. If any water makes its way through the underside of the rug and penetrates the flooring, it could leave unsightly water stains on the wood
  5. Test Removal Solution
    DeLozioer says it’s important to test any spot removal solution in an inconspicuous area. You don’t want it to discolor or damage the carpet. When applying the solution to the test area, check the white cloth for any color transfer from the carpet itself.

How to Get Latex Paint Out of Carpet

  1. Mix Cleaning Solution
    DeLozioer recommends using one-fourth teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per cup of lukewarm water. Don’t use a stronger solution, as this can damage your carpet and be tricky to rinse out.“Never use a laundry detergent, because they can contain optical brighteners (fluorescent dyes) that dye the carpet fiber,” DeLozioer says. And don’t be tempted to use automatic dishwashing detergent if that is all you have, as they often contain bleaching agents. We Tested 45 of the Best Carpet Cleaners in 2024—These 11 Will Save You from Stains
  2. Carefully Apply Solution
    DeLozioer advises gently applying a small amount of the solution to a white cloth by blotting rather than rubbing. Don’t pour the solution straight onto the carpet, as this can result in over-saturation. Start at the spill edge and work towards the center to avoid spreading the paint to clean parts of the carpet. He recommends allowing the solution to remain on the spill for a few minutes before blotting.
  3. Repeat as Necessary
    Be patient. You might need to repeat this process several times to completely remove the stain. Keep applying solution and blotting with clean cloths until the stain is gone.
  4. Rinse
    Rinsing the area is essential, as detergent residue can attract dirt and debris. “It may be necessary to rinse the area with warm water several times to completely remove residues,” DeLozioer says. He cautions against overwatering. A saturated carpet can cause problems with adhesion and mold and mildew formation. Applying the water with a spray mister and then blotting thoroughly helps prevent excess wetting.

How to Get Acrylic or Oil-Based Paint Out of Carpet

  1. Apply Nail Polish Remover
    “To remove acrylic or oil-based paints from carpet, The Carpet And Rug Institute recommends using nail polish remover,” DeLozioer says. “You can use nail polish remover with acetone or amyl acetate.” As a precaution, wear gloves and keep the room well-ventilated when using solvents.Always test in an inconspicuous area first and rinse thoroughly, as these solutions can cause carpet discoloration, especially when left on for a long time. Apply the nail polish remover sparingly to a white cloth before blotting into the paint. For larger areas, you may need more than one cloth to prevent the paint on the cloth from reapplying to clean areas.
  2. Apply Dry Solvent
    Nail polish removers containing amyl acetate can leave residues that contribute to faster soiling of the carpet in the future. “Be sure to rinse the area thoroughly with a dry solvent,” DeLozioer says. Keep on the gloves, keep the room well-ventilated, select a non-flammable product where possible, and carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.Again, apply to a white cloth rather than directly onto the carpet and work from the edge of the spill towards the center.
  3. Rinse
    Use a spray bottle to mist the carpet with lukewarm water and thoroughly blot up excess moisture to remove the cleaning solution residue. You may have to repeat the process several times, but be careful not to oversaturate the carpet during this step.