Published on August 8th, 2022

Last updated on February 6th, 2023

How To Remove Paints From Carpet?

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
brush with pink paint marks carpet

No, even the smallest cosmetic repair is without mud and dust. The best way to protect your belongings from contamination during repairs is to take them out of the house. However, such an opportunity is not always there. Therefore, sometimes the hostess is faced with the question of how to remove paints from the carpet. Deciding how to scrub paint stains from the carpet should be approached as soon as possible. After all, the faster you scrub paint from the carpet, the more likely that the carpet will not remain marks.

But, before removing paint from the carpet, it is worth knowing exactly what type belongs to the carpet. This allows you to choose the most efficient cleaner to remove the paint stain from the carpet. However, you should not forget that paint also has varieties. A particular carpet type requires an individual approach to cleaning, allowing for more reliable paint removal from the carpet.

How To Remove Dried Paint From The Carpet?

process of removing dried paint from the carpet

 There are some ways to remove dried paint from the carpet:

  • Remove the excess dried paint mechanically;
  • Mix 1 tablespoon of colourless dishwashing liquid with a glass of warm water;
  • If the spot does not soften and gets off the carpet, take a sponge soaked in glycerin;
  • If the stain persists, use a special water-based stain remover;
  • After removing the stain, rinse the carpet with clean water and let it dry.

You can solve this problem with the pieces of advice that are given below. As a rule, water-based paint consists of acrylic copolymers or acrylic resins that harden quickly and become impervious to water. The sooner you find the stain, the easier it will be to get rid of it. Dried stains are some of the most persistent stains. Over time, the dye absorbs in the fibres, and removing the paint stain with chemicals from the carpet is problematic.

  • First, remove the excess dried paint mechanically. It can be done with a non-sharp knife;
  • Mix 1 tablespoon of colourless dishwashing liquid with a glass of warm water. Apply the solution to the stain with a napkin or rag. Go on wetting the spot as long as the carpet absorbs the liquid. Gently rub the stain in a circular motion from the edges to the centre;
  • Take a sponge soaked in glycerin if the spot does not soften and gets off the carpet. Wipe the stain and leave it for 3-4 hours. After this time, try again washing the stain with water and liquid soap;
  • If the stain persists, use a special water-based stain remover.  It can be replaced with a solution of vinegar: 1 tablespoon per glass of water;
  • After removing the stain, rinse the carpet with clean water and let it dry.

How To Remove Fresh Paint From The Carpet?

If you are lucky enough to notice a stain before it has dried, take a clean white napkin or rag and use a blotting motion to remove the paint. Try to move from the edges of the stain to the centre so as not to smudge the stain further. Wipe off any residual stain with a damp sponge soaked in cold water. The stain may already have disappeared at this stage. But it is best to consider different methods for each type of paint. 

Removing Acrylic-based Paint From The Carpet

removing acrylic-based paint from the carpet

The composition of the paint consists of water and acrylic. It should be known when you decide to remove paint from the carpet. The main problem with water and acrylic-based paints is that they quickly spread over the surface. The first thing you must do is reduce the radius of contamination and prevent the stain from spreading all over the carpet.

  • Use wipes and rags to remove the moisture;
  • Using blotting motions, remove the maximum possible amount. Do this carefully to avoid rubbing it deep into the pile;
  • When most of the paint is left on the wipes, and the top layer has been removed, take glycerin and use a napkin to gently wipe off the remaining paint that has penetrated the nap. It can be used to scrub paint from the carpet that has already had time to absorb;
  • The final step in removing paint from the carpet would be to apply acetone or nail polish remover to the pile. But make sure that these products will not harm the carpet. To do this in advance, do a small test on a small area. Using blotting motions, remove the remnants of the product;
  • Do not forget to dry the carpet and vacuum.

During all cleaning stages, the main thing is not to forget that the paint is not rubbed and soaked.

Removing Latex-type Paint From The Carpet

Removing Latex-type Paint From The Carpet

Latex paint is chemically similar to the previous type. The only difference is the vinyl in the composition. 

  • To remove a little dried paint from the carpet quickly, it is important not to let the contamination affect a large surface area. Use cloth wipes for this purpose;
  • Mix a colourless detergent (it mustn’t be alkaline) with warm water and use a soft sponge or white cloth to remove the paint, moving from the edges to the centre. A soft sponge is the best way to remove the stain. It should be dipped alternately in the prepared solution, water;
  •  Allow the carpets to dry sufficiently to prevent mould from growing;
  • Vacuum the carpet thoroughly at the end.

Don’t forget to rub the stain, as it will not penetrate deep into the nap, which will be difficult to remove, even with a professional spray that removes paint from the carpet.

There is another way of removing a paint spot from the carpet. As a rule, it is used in cases where the stain is pretty recent, and the paint has not had time to dry. Collect the wet latex paint with dry material and apply copious amounts of water. Vacuum the surface (the type of work involves interaction with water). Coat the remaining stain with a foamy cleaner, then vacuum again.

Removing Oil Paint From The Carpet

Removing oil paint from the carpet

Unfortunately, in most cases, removing paint from the carpet can sometimes be difficult without using solvents, but it can negatively affect the appearance of carpeting. Therefore, how to scrub paint from the carpet requires a meaningful decision. It requires quick work and knowledge of removing paint from the carpet. Do not let the stain dry out. Otherwise, it will be complicated to get rid of traces yourself.

  • To remove the stain, you will need a solvent. It is a reasonably aggressive product that can discolour the carpet. Therefore, test a small, inconspicuous area of the product before applying it;
  • Collect the maximum amount of paint with a spatula or non-sharp knife. To prevent it from penetrating deeper into the pile – do not scrape the stain but gently pick it up;
  • Blot the stain with a clean white cloth, but don’t rub it in;
  • Apply solvent or turpentine to the cloth. This will help to separate the dye from the nap gently. Do not squeeze the cloth or rub the surface;
  • Mix a colourless detergent with warm water and use a soft sponge to scrub away the dirt;
  • Dry and vacuum the carpet thoroughly.

If you do not notice the stain and it has had time to dry (especially with oil-based paints), do not try to get rid of it yourself. It is better to contact professionals who know how to clean the carpet from paint with exceptional products. For example, spray or liquid removes paint from the carpet quickly without damaging it.

  • Do not forget safety precautions when working with harsh substances. Always wear protective gloves and open a window.

Summary 

Any dye has a thick, dense consistency. It must never be removed by intense rubbing if it is inadvertently spilled on the carpet. So you will not only increase the area of contamination, but you will also help it to penetrate the structure of the material more quickly. You can try to get rid of paint from the surface, but only if you know the nuances of the work. Otherwise, paint removal from carpet can damage an expensive decor element. But in some cases, it is better to turn to professionals.

DIY Carpet Cleaning Hack

FAQ

Can I use a hair dryer to dry my carpets?

Do not use such appliances or hot water. It can make the paint dig into the carpet even more. Do not dry the carpet with a hair dryer or other heaters. This can cause deformation of the product.

Can carpet cleaning harm health?

Removing paint from carpet can’t hazard health if you follow all the rules. Wear gloves and gauze bandages when using bleach and stain removers. In cases of allergies, contact a professional.

What should I do if the stain doesn’t come off the carpet?

If other methods do not help, you can cut out the dirty part of the carpet and replace it with a new piece of similar material. In this case, it is better to invite a specialist who will do the work neatly and invisibly hide the borders of the new fragment.

What chemicals should not be used while cleaning carpet?

During cleaning, strictly follow the instructions and remember not to mix vinegar with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or bleach. The combination of these components leads to harmful gases, which may harm human health. Also, read the composition of the used products, different sprays that remove paint from carpet may be toxical.