888-343-9650
Carpet Tech Logo
888-343-9650
855-457-5142
  • Bug Tech
  • CT Specialty Flooring
  • CT Construction
  • Careers
  • Pay Online
  • Get a Quote
Pay Online
Get a Quote
  • CURRENT OFFERS
    • Loyalty Price Lock
  • Residential Services
    • Carpet
      • Carpet Cleaning
      • Carpet Repairs
      • Odor & Stain Removal
      • Pet Treatment
    • Disinfecting Services
    • Flood & Fire
      • Flood Damage Restoration
      • Residential Fire Damage Restoration
      • Mold Removal
    • Rugs, Upholstery & Mattresses
      • Residential Rug Cleaning Service
      • Residential Upholstery Cleaning Service
      • Residential Mattress Cleaning Service
    • Tile & Grout
      • Tile & Grout Cleaning
      • Grout Sealing
      • Strip & Rewax
      • Shower Tile Cleaning
    • Wood
      • Wood Floor Refinishing
      • Wood Floor Installation
      • Wood Floor Cleaning
      • Our Residential Wood Floor Gallery
    • Concrete Services
      • Concrete Cleaning
      • Concrete Staining
      • Concrete Polishing
      • Rubber Surfacing
      • Epoxy Floor Coating
      • Our Residential Concrete Gallery
    • Stone
      • Stone Restoration
      • Stone Cleaning
      • Our Residential Stone Gallery
    • Air Ducts
      • Air Duct Cleaning
      • Dryer Vent Cleaning
      • Video Inspection
    • Vehicle Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning for Cars, Boats, RVs, and Airplanes
    • Residential Biohazard Cleanup
  • Commercial Services
    • Carpet
      • Carpet Cleaning
      • Carpet Repairs
      • Odor & Stain Removal
    • Disinfecting Services
    • Flood & Fire
      • Flood Damage Restoration
      • Fire Damage Restoration
      • Mold Removal
    • Rugs & Upholstery
      • Rug Cleaning
      • Upholstery Cleaning
    • Tile & VCT
      • VCT Strip & Rewax
      • VCT Cleaning
      • Commercial Tile & Grout Cleaning Service
      • Grout Sealing
    • Wood
      • Wood Floor Refinishing
      • Wood Floor Installation
      • Wood Floor Cleaning
      • Our Business Wood Floor Gallery
    • Concrete Services
      • Concrete Cleaning
      • Concrete Staining
      • Concrete Polishing
      • Rubber Surfacing
      • Epoxy Floor Coating
      • Commercial Concrete Before & After Gallery
    • Stone
      • Stone Restoration
      • Stone Cleaning
    • Air Ducts
      • Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Service
      • Dryer Vent Cleaning
      • Video Inspection
    • Biohazard
  • Locations
    • Lubbock
      • Carpet Cleaning
      • Air Duct Cleaning
      • Water Damage Restoration
      • Fire Restoration
      • Hardwood Cleaning
      • Lubbock Commercial Floor Cleaning
    • Amarillo
      • Carpet Cleaning
      • Air Duct Cleaning
      • Water Damage Restoration
      • Fire Restoration
      • Hardwood Cleaning
      • Amarillo Commercial Floor Cleaning
    • Odessa & Midland
      • Carpet Cleaning Odessa
      • Carpet Cleaning Midland
      • Permian Basin Air Duct Cleaning
      • Permian Basin Water Damage Restoration
      • Permian Basin Fire Restoration
    • San Angelo
      • Water Damage Restoration
      • Fire Damage Restoration
      • Carpet Cleaning
      • Air Duct Cleaning
      • San Angelo Commercial Floor Cleaning
    • Clovis
      • Carpet Cleaning
      • Restoration
      • Air Duct Cleaning
    • Roswell
      • Flood, Water, and Fire Restoration
    • Collin County
      • McKinney
        • Carpet Cleaning
        • Water Damage Restoration
        • Air Duct Cleaning
        • Rug Cleaning
      • Prosper
        • Carpet Cleaning
        • Water Damage Restoration
        • Air Duct Cleaning
      • Frisco
        • Carpet Cleaning
        • Water Damage Restoration
        • Air Duct Cleaning
      • Plano
        • Carpet Cleaning
        • Water Damage Restoration
        • Air Duct Cleaning
      • Hoarding Clean Up Collin County
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • CE Classes
    • Blog
    • CT Gives Back
    • Tailgater of the Game
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Call
  • Bug Tech
  • CT Specialty Flooring
  • CT Construction
  • Careers
  • Pay Online
  • Get a Quote
Home > Carpet Cleaning > Useful Tips on How to Get Paint Out of a Carpet

Search Blogs

Select Categories

  • 25 Years
  • Air Duct Cleaning
  • ATP Monitoring
  • Biohazard Cleaning
  • BOGO Holiday Toy Drive
  • Carpet Cleaning
  • Carpet Repairs
  • Cleaning Strategies
  • Commercial Cleaning
  • Covid-19
  • CT Gives Back
  • Disinfecting Services
  • Employee Spotlight
  • Fire Restoration
  • Flood Restoration
  • General
  • Hard Surface
  • Mold Removal
  • Pet Stains
  • Remodel Tips
  • Restoration
  • Rug Cleaning
  • Soft Surface
  • Specialty Services
  • Tile & Grout
  • Wood Floors

Useful Tips on How to Get Paint Out of a Carpet

March 24, 2021

how to get paint out of a carpet cover image

So, you’ve decided to do a little DIY painting project and repaint your guest room with a cool shade of Paris Grey. While proudly admiring your impressive paint job, you suddenly realize Paris Grey is not only on your walls but on your carpets too! Even though you’ve used newspapers and plastic to protect your floors from paint spills and splatters, it somehow seems to find its way onto your carpet. What now? While it seems impossible, you can remove paint from your carpets. The cleaning process may take some patience and elbow grease, but it can be done.

Before we dive in, the crucial factor to consider when dealing with paint spillage is time. So, try to clean up the spilled paint as soon as it happens. Another important detail? You need to understand what paint type you’re dealing with. Water-based paints will require different cleaning, tools, and techniques compared to oil-based paints. The carpet cleaning methods will vary because each of these paints has different ingredients, chemicals, and properties. Once you’re armed with the right cleaning tools and understand all the stain-removing steps you need to take, you can get to work on cleaning up the mess.

Below, we look at the best ways to get paint out of a carpet, what to do with wet and dry paint, and a few at-home remedies and hacks that will have your carpets paint-free in no time at all.

What is the Best Way to Get Paint Out of a Carpet?

purple paint spilled on carpet

As mentioned above, identifying the type of paint used is crucial. Most paints fall into two categories: water-based paints and oil-based paints. Knowing which has toppled over onto your carpet will significantly help the clean-up process. The type of paint should be clearly marked on the paint can or container. Otherwise, you can ask the store where you bought the paint from or find the details online.

  • Oil-based Paint: Unsurprisingly, natural or synthetic oils form the base of oil paint. While oil-based paints are extremely durable when it comes to painting your house, the oil present in these paints makes them all the more challenging to remove from your carpet.
  • Water-based Paint: As the name suggests, water-based paint uses water as its base. Because of this, water-based paints (also known as latex paints) are easier to remove from your carpets and rugs when either wet or dry.

Now that we’ve covered the difference between oil and water-based paints, let’s take a look at how to clean each of these when wet and dry,

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Get Wet Paint Out of a Carpet

what you will need to get paint out of carpet

We’ll discuss how to deal with water-based paint and oil-based paint.

How to Get Wet Water-Based Paint Out of a Carpet

  • Unsure of how to get latex paint out of carpet? For water-based paint that’s wet, use a damp paper towel to blot and absorb the top layer of paint.
  • As tempting as it may be, don’t scrub the area. This will push the paint further into the carpet fibers.
  • If you’ve run out of paper towels, use a clean cloth instead. It should be a cloth that you don’t mind staining or throwing away after you’ve used it.
  • After blotting up the surplus paint, splash hot water over the area to wet it.
  • While the spot moistens with water, mix 8 (fl oz). lukewarm water and 0.50 (fl oz). of dishwashing soap to create a gentle warm water cleaning solution.
  • Grab a scrubbing brush, and massage the area until a gentle lather appears. Work your way from the stain’s outer parts moving towards the stain’s center, this will avoid spreading the stain over a wider circumference.
  • Keep scrubbing, and you’ll start to see the paint slowly starting to disintegrate. Feel free to use more dish soap solution if necessary.
  • After you’ve finished washing the area, vacuum the spot thoroughly. This will stop mildew or mold from growing within the fibers.

How to Get Wet Oil-Based Paint Out of a Carpet

  • When it comes to wet oil-based paint, try to pick up as much of the messed paint with a putty knife or butter knife. Do this by carefully placing the knife beneath the paint and raising the knife or scraper to lift the paint.
  • Don’t scrub bits of the paint into the carpet, as this means it will be even trickier to get rid of.
  • With a heavy-duty paper towel (or a clean cloth), begin blotting up the paint. Only stop blotting once there is no more paint being lifted.
  • Next, dab your cloth with some turpentine or paint thinner, and keep on blotting. The chemical composition of turps or paint thinner will help loosen the pain and dissolve the stain.
  • Remember to open windows and doors in order to get some fresh air when working with turpentine.
  • When the stain has completely dissolved, you’ll need to get rid of the paint thinner. To do this, mix 8 (fl oz) warm water with 0.50 (fl oz) dish soap. Gently rub the area, and then use your cloth to lift any remaining moisture.
  • Finally, run your vacuum over the previously stained spot.

How to Get Dried Paint Out of a Carpet

We’ll again discuss how to deal with water-based paint and oil-based paint.

Removing and Cleaning Dry Water-Based Paint

  • With a utility or butter knife, carefully scratch off all the dry paint you can manage. Scraping the paint off this way will remove any big, dry pieces of the paint.
  • Use your hands to pick up the larger paint chips and a vacuum to suck up the finer paint chips.
  • Mix a 8 (fl oz) of water with 0,5 (fl oz) dish soap in a spray bottle. Lightly spritz your mix onto the dry paint stain, and leave it to soak for a while.
  • Using a hard brush, massage the spot, increasing the solution as and when you need it. If the paint has sunk far into the carpet, redo this process a few times.
  • Finally, vacuum the area. It might be a good idea to use a store-bought carpet cleaning product afterward to freshen up the spot.

Removing and Cleaning Dry Oil-Based Stains

  • When it comes to oil-based paint stains that have dried, use a knife to lift off the hardened top layer—disposing of the paint pieces so they are removed from the soiled space.
  • Next, use a strong needle to further loosen up the paint. You can use a vacuum to suck up the smaller paint chips.
  • Then your steam cleaner should lift up any excess paint.
  • Next, dab a cloth with acetone or paint thinner and use the cloth to blot the stain lightly.
  • Then try steam cleaning with a mild dish soap/warm water solution.
  • If the tops of the carpet are still stained, try to trim the tips with a razor or pair of scissors.

What About Other Types of Paint?

Pink paint spilled on cream coloured carpet with brush.

Now that we have covered how to remove and clean up water-based and oil-based paints, what are the best methods to clean up other types of paint? Let’s explore how best to get rid of spilled acrylic paint, emulsion paint, and washable paint off your carpets.

How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of a Carpet

  • Using an eyedropper, squeeze a couple of drops of acetone on the acrylic paint stain.
  • Then using a dry cloth or paper towel blot the spot to lift any visible paint.
  • Apply a good carpet spot remover, and after a couple of minutes, use a steam vacuum to lift the solution. Finally, leave the carpet to dry completely.

How to Get Emulsion Paint Out of a Carpet

  • Soak a splash of rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth and use it softly to dab the stain.
  • In order to clean the area around the stain, opt for a wet vacuum cleaner.
  • Take glycerin-soaked paper towels and use them to blot the stain. Continue until all the emulsion paint has eventually lifted.

How to Get Washable Paint Out of a Carpet

  • With a moist sponge, blot the paint stain, and wash or change the sponge as it becomes soaked in the paint.
  • If any stain remains, apply the rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball and blot again until the cotton ball soaks up the washable paint.
  • If needed, you can lift the solution with a steam vacuum.

How to Remove Paint from a Carpet with Home Remedies

On top of the methods mentioned above, several additional home remedies may be sitting in your bathroom or kitchen cabinets. Let’s take a closer look at each home remedy below:

Nail Polish Remover / Acetone

Many nail polish removers have acetone as a main active ingredient. Acetone works as a powerful solvent for both oil-based and latex-based paint and can be used to remove paint from several different types of surfaces, including carpet materials and soft furnishings.

  • Put some nail polish remover on a clean cloth and dab the stain with it.
  • Be sure to keep the area where you’re working well-ventilated. Prolonged exposure to acetone fumes can be harmful to your health.
  • Blot until the paint is lifted and then clean with a mild cleaning solution.

Rubbing Alcohol

Because alcohol is a degreasing agent, it helps break down the components of many greasy stains, including oil-based paints.

  • Wet the stain with some warm water so that the stained spot becomes damp.
  • Then apply the rubbing alcohol to a clean white cloth, white paper towel, or cotton ball.
  • Next, use a cloth or paper towel to dab up the paint stain. Rinse it with warm water and repeat the process as needed.

Using Turpentine to Remove Paint from a Carpet

Turpentine will help separate spilled paint from the carpet’s fibers, allowing you to remove more paint without scrubbing.

  • Wet the stain with some warm water so that the spot is damp.
  • Then apply turpentine to a clean cloth, paper towel, or cotton ball.
  • Next, use the cloth, paper towel, or cotton ball to dab up the stain.
  • Rinse it with warm water and repeat the process as needed.

Does WD-40 Remove Paint from a Carpet?

A versatile product, WD-40 has a wide range of surprising uses. One, in particular, is removing paint from your carpets. The solvents in WD-40 help to break down oil stains—loosening stubborn oil molecules from fabric fibers.

  • Add some WD-40 to the paint-stained area, and watch as it starts to soften up.
  • Gently rub the WD-40 with a clean rag, then let it soak the stain for around twenty minutes or so.
  • Following this, the stain should have dissolved. Next, you can add a smidge of dishwashing liquid and water to clean the area.

Can Carpet Cleaning Products Get Paint Out of a Carpet?

Indeed, some of them can. This will depend on the type of paint stain, whether it’s wet or dry, and the volume of paint. Unfortunately, large deposits of paint are usually hard to remove with regular household carpet cleaners. You may want to start with something like acetone or rubbing alcohol to loosen the paint and follow with a carpet cleaner to help remove the stain afterward.

  • Apply the carpet cleaner directly to the carpet, then gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush.
  • Let the carpet cleaner sit for five to six minutes after scrubbing.

Note: Before using it to remove a paint stain, read the cleaning product’s label to make sure it’s safe to use on paint and carpets.

Professional Carpet Cleaning

Carpet tech technicians using carpet cleaning equipment

While these DIY methods have shown success, the surest way to remove stubborn stains and preserve the integrity of your carpet is to call an IICRC-certified carpet cleaner like Carpet Tech. While harsh chemicals or soaps may remove the paint, it could damage your carpet or the padding underneath. Be sure to reach out to a professional to discuss your options.

So, there you have it. Everything you need to know about getting paint stains out of your carpet: Remember, the sooner you get to cleaning the stain, the better. The longer it’s left to soak into the carpet fabrics and harden, the more likely you’ll have permanent Paris Grey stains where they shouldn’t be. Happy cleaning!

Tags: Carpet Cleaning

Contact Us

If you have an emergency, please call our 24/7 hotline 888-343-9650.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*

Carpet Tech Logo
Flood_Fire_logo
Corporate Office

6613 19th Street,
Lubbock, TX 79407

Helpful Links

Current Offers
Contact Us
Locations

About Us
Careers
CE Classes

Residential Services
Commercial Services
Residential Services
  • Carpet
    • Carpet Cleaning
    • Carpet Repairs
    • Odor & Stain Removal
  • Disinfecting Services
    • Electrostatic Spray
    • Residential Anti-Microbial Shield
    • ATP Testing
  • Flood & Fire
    • Flood Damage Restoration
    • Residential Fire Damage Restoration
    • Mold Removal
  • Rugs, Upholstery & Mattress
    • Residential Rug Cleaning Service
    • Residential Upholstery Cleaning Service
    • Residential Mattress Cleaning Service
  • Tile & Grout
    • Tile & Grout Cleaning
    • Grout Sealing
    • Strip & Rewax
    • Shower Tile Cleaning
  • Wood
    • Wood Floor Refinishing
    • Wood Floor Installation
    • Wood Floor Cleaning
    • Our Residential Wood Floor Gallery
  • Concrete Services
    • Concrete Cleaning
    • Concrete Staining
    • Concrete Polishing
    • Rubber Surfacing
    • Our Residential Concrete Gallery
  • Stone
    • Stone Restoration
    • Stone Cleaning
  • Air Ducts
    • Air Duct Cleaning
    • Dryer Vent Cleaning
    • Video Inspection
  • Vehicle Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning for Cars, Boats, RVs, and Airplanes
    • Biohazard
Commercial Services
  • Carpet
    • Carpet Cleaning
    • Carpet Repairs
    • Odor & Stain Removal
  • Disinfecting Services
    • Electrostatic Spray
    • Commercial Anti-Microbial Shield
    • Commercial ATP Testing
  • Flood & Fire
    • Flood Damage Restoration
    • Fire Damage Restoration
    • Mold Removal
  • Rugs & Upholstery
    • Rug Cleaning
    • Upholstery Cleaning
  • Tile & VCT
    • VCT Strip & Rewax
    • VCT Cleaning
    • Commercial Tile & Grout Cleaning Service
    • Grout Sealing
  • Wood
    • Wood Floor Refinishing
    • Wood Floor Installation
    • Wood Floor Cleaning
    • Our Business Wood Floor Gallery
  • Concrete Services
    • Concrete Cleaning
    • Concrete Staining
    • Concrete Polishing
    • Rubber Surfacing
    • Commercial Concrete Before & After Gallery
  • Stone
    • Stone Restoration
    • Stone Cleaning
  • Air Ducts
    • Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Service
    • Dryer Vent Cleaning
    • Video Inspection
  • Biohazard

© 2020 Carpet Tech | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy