How to remove paint from the carpet

Don't panic - removing paint stains from carpet is not easy, but cleaning experts say it can be done. Here are your top tips and tricks for successfully painting acrylic, latex, and oil paints on carpets.

Oh-oh ... you just looked down and found that your once brittle carpet not only has color on your clothes but also looks like an art project that went wrong and now you are trying to figure out how to get the color can remove. of the carpet. And fast!

"Most people think it's impossible to go back when a stain hits the carpet, but that's not true," says cleaning expert Melissa Rodriguez, founder of Bright Home Cleaning SVCS. There are clever ways to remove paint from your carpet that really work so you don't need to panic. You only need to take action when you want to remove stains from the carpet .

However, choosing the right method of removing paint from your carpet really depends on the type of paint that has been spread. "Different types of paint contain different ingredients that are designed to adhere differently to surfaces," said Jennifer Ahoni, senior scientist at Tide. "They also have different degrees of solubility in water (water-based acrylic paints are more water-soluble than oil paints), so the products you may need to remove them can vary."

Before cleaning up the spilled paint

Not only are you wondering how to remove paint from your carpet, you're also asking yourself questions like:

• Are paint stains permanent?
• How to apply dry paint on a carpet?
• How do I extract oil paint from carpets?
• Which homemade carpet cleaners remove paint from carpets?
• Does the paint remover remove paint from the carpet?

The good news: we asked professional cleaners Rodríguez and Ahoni to guide us through the process of removing stubborn stains from carpets. Here's what to say before you start cleaning.

The top two things to consider before you start cleaning up the spilled paint are:

1. what kind of paint fell on your carpet, and
2. if the paint on your carpet is still wet.

First, check the color label to see if it is an oil or water-based paint. "The degree of staining and the type of treatment really depends on the main components of the paint," says Rodríguez.

Then check to see if the paint is still damp or dry on the carpet. "As with most stains, you have a better chance of removing them while they're still damp," says Ahoni. "The paint is especially the one that you might want to try to remove water from, as in most cases it is designed as a semi-permanent / permanent paint treatment after it dries."

Regardless of the type, if you want to learn how to remove paint from the carpet there is one thing you can do right away: "Take a spoon or blunt knife and try to remove as much excess paint as you can" without spreading it . the stain in the area, "says Ahoni.

watercolor

Spilled water-based paints are generally easier to clean up than oil-based paints as long as you act quickly. So if you've spilled water-based paint on your carpet, you're in luck. "Many paints are water-soluble when wet, so you can rely on water-based cleaning solutions. However, when dry they become water resistant and therefore require a certain type of cleaner / thinner to remove them. When they're dry. "Ahoni explains.

Alaina DiGiacomo / rd.com How to remove acrylic paint from carpet

1. With cold or wet acrylic paint on carpets: The secret to removing acrylic paint from a carpet is to act quickly! Wipe off as much of the wet acrylic paint as you can with a damp microfiber cloth or sponge. "Be careful not to rub vigorously or rub back and forth as the stain can spread and further damage the carpet," says Rodriguez.
   For dry acrylic paint stains on carpets: "If the acrylic paint is already dry, carefully scrape it off the surface with a sharp object like a razor," says Rodríguez. Then use rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth to loosen the rest of the dried paint, suggests Ahoni. "Test a less visible part of the carpet first to determine color fastness," she says. Still out of luck? "As a last resort, you can try rubbing with acetone," says Rodriguez. Be careful though, this can seriously damage some types of fibers, including those that contain acetate, triacetate, or modacrylic. If you see any of these materials listed or just aren't sure, alcohol is safer to use.
2. Then wipe the area with a household cleaning solution if wet paint stains and dried paint residues have not been removed by isopropyl alcohol. Mix equal parts of dish soap or detergent with warm water and apply the mixture to the stain with a microfiber cloth or sponge while trying to dab on paint chips. Tip: Professionals swear by how to remove acrylic paint from carpets - work from the outside edges towards the center to avoid accidentally spilling paint. For particularly stubborn paint stains, you can "pour detergent directly onto the stain before cleaning it with a damp sponge or towel," says Ahoni.
3. Once the stain is gone, place a dry towel over the damp area. "Weigh it so it can absorb any remaining moisture," says Ahoni.

RELATED: How to Remove Persistent Marking Stains

How to remove latex paint from carpet

1. For fresh or wet latex paints on carpets: " Latex paints can be easily removed even though they are still wet," says Rodriguez. So acting quickly is the secret to successfully removing paint from carpets . First, carefully wipe off as much of the wet latex paint as possible with a slightly damp microfiber cloth or sponge. Paper towels also work in a pinch. Be careful though, you don't want to accidentally push the paint deeper into the mat as you apply it.
   For dry latex paint on carpets: If the latex paint is already dry when you see it, it is best to remove it from the carpet with a razor or a blunt knife. Gently scrape the surface of the mat. . Then dissolve dried paint chips with isopropyl alcohol or acetone. Be careful, however: "Always determine the contents of your carpet before attempting to remove stains with acetone. If the item material contains acetate, triacetate, or modacrylic, DO NOT use acetone as it can break and destroy these fibers, "says Ahoni. If you are not sure, just play it safe and just rub it with alcohol.
2. Then clean the area thoroughly with a household cleaning mixture to avoid wet paint soiling and dried paint residue. Mix a 1: 1 ratio of dish soap or detergent with warm water and apply the mixture to the paint with a microfiber cloth or sponge. Start at the outside edges of the stain and work your way in.
3. Once the stain is gone, cover the area with a towel and weigh it to remove any excess moisture.

RELATED : How to Get Blood off the Carpet

Oil painting

Unfortunately, oil-based paints are more difficult to remove than water-based paints, Ahoni says, because the ingredients don't easily dissolve in water. The Silver Liner: "Oil paint is thicker in consistency and therefore takes longer to dry. Therefore, your time to clean up the spill while it is still wet is slightly longer than the paint." Water-based, which dries, so stains are quicker, "explains Rodríguez. However, once dry, a simple household cleaning solution is no longer enough. You will need a paint thinner if you want to remove the oil paint from the carpet.

How to remove oil paint from carpet

1. For fresh or wet oil paint stains on carpets: "With these types of stains, dry as much as you can with a cloth or paper towel and rinse the area to prevent it from drying out," explains Ahoni. Once the oil paint has dried you will need to use a paint thinner to lift it up.
   For dry oil paint stains on carpets: If the paint is already dry, "rub the stains with a cloth that has been treated with a paint thinner recommended by the paint manufacturer to remove and loosen as many stains as possible," says Ahoni.
2. If the stain persists, use a microfiber cloth or sponge to apply a 1: 1 ratio of hot water dish soap or detergent to the excess paint. Work from the outside edges towards the center of the stain. You can also pour a small amount of liquid detergent directly onto a particularly stubborn stain and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it dry with a damp cloth.
3. Once the stain is gone, place a clean towel over the area and weigh it down with a pile of books or something heavy to keep it absorbing any remaining moisture from the carpet.

To your carpet against future color patches to protect, so you'll never again frantically Googling need, how to color the carpet removed, Rodriguez suggests Scotchgard WaterShield apply . "It protects carpets and fabrics from absorbing moisture stains," he explains. What a lifesaver!

Additionally, both experts say it is important to make tarpaulins or loose sheets of paper for your friend once they remove the painting tools. "Always put a cloth on the carpet when you paint," says Ahoni, "and make sure it is securely attached to the carpet with tape or weights so it doesn't slip." Rodríguez adds, "Patches of paint can go very far, so it's better to cover the entire room than a small area. And of course, leave potentially difficult situations, like your children's art projects, in areas with no carpets. When we talk about the little ones, parents will also want to know how to remove ink stains from clothes .

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