Paint that has fallen, splattered, or dripped onto the carpet should be removed immediately. In order to remove paint completely clean, you will need to know what type of paint you are dealing with as this will affect the cleaning method and products used. Some of the commonly used types of paint include acrylic-based paint, oil paint, and water-based and latex-based paint.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Handling Acrylic Paints
Step 1. Clean the paint with detergent
First use a cloth that has been dipped in water to wet the affected area. Use a cloth that is ready to be thrown away because you will have a hard time washing it clean. Pour about a tablespoon (15 ml) of detergent onto the cloth and clean the affected area. Do not rub the carpet, just stick and press the cloth against the carpet to lift the paint.
- This won't remove most stains, but it can help loosen the paint from the carpet fibers, making it easier for you to clean with the following steps.
- Before using any product on the carpet, always do a test on a hidden area to make sure it doesn't stain the carpet.
Step 2. Pour acetone on the cloth and apply it to the paint stain
Unlike soaps and detergents, acetone can break down paint better, making it easier for you to remove it from the carpet. Do not use too much acetone, use just enough to wet the cloth.
- You can also use a nail polish remover that contains acetone.
- Make sure the room you use to remove paint is well ventilated. Exposure to acetone vapor for a long time can be harmful to health.
- Wear a mask when you use acetone.
Step 3. Remove paint spills using a commercial carpet cleaner
While acetone can remove stubborn paint, you can also use a commercial carpet cleaner to thoroughly clean the affected area. At this point, you can scrub the carpet fibers lightly with a toothbrush without worrying about staining the carpet. Apply carpet cleaner directly to the carpet, then use a toothbrush to scrub it.
- Let the carpet cleaner sit there for 5-6 minutes after you scrub it.
- There are a variety of carpet cleaners on the market. Before using it, read the instructions on the product packaging carefully. Not all products are created equal, and each product may have special instructions or precautions that must be taken when used.
Step 4. Vacuum the carpet cleaner
The carpet cleaner will absorb most of the paint well so you can vacuum it up. Make sure you do this with a wet vacuum cleaner. The housing is waterproof, and the electrical components are protected against exposure to water and other liquids. Do not use a dry vacuum cleaner to perform this step as the appliance may be seriously damaged.
Step 5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 until the paint spill is gone
Acrylic paint is difficult to remove, and it will take a lot of time to thoroughly clean it. Be prepared to spend two hours cleaning the paint on the carpet. It will take time, but if you want to clean your carpet properly, you'll need to sweep away any stubborn mold or stains.
Method 2 of 3: Remove Water Based or Latex Paint
Step 1. Clean up spilled paint using a towel
This type of paint is not too oily and not as strong as other paints. You can definitely suck up most of the paint spill with a towel. Choose towels that are not used because they will definitely get stained. Be careful not to rub the paint stains, as this can cause them to sink further into the carpet fibers.
Step 2. Clean the paint with the dish soap mixture
Mix one tablespoon (15 ml) of dish soap with one cup (250 ml) of warm water. Pour this mixture on a white cloth (colored cloth can stain the carpet). Clean up any paint spills, starting from the outside to the center of the stain.
- Clean gently so that the paint does not go further into the carpet.
- When the paint stain has dried, let the dish soap and hot water mixture sit there for about 5 minutes before you clean it.
- If the stain is heavy, you may need to use a knife or paint scraper to remove it. Use more detergent mixture when you do the cleaning.
Step 3. Suck up the detergent mixture
Once the paint stain has been removed, vacuum up any loose paint and dish soap mixture that is still stuck. This will prevent mold and mildew from forming on the carpet (because of the liquid left on it). Use a wet vacuum cleaner as it is specially designed for cleaning liquids.
Step 4. Repeat if necessary
Maybe not all paint stains go away with one cleaning. So, repeat the steps above until the stain is completely clean.
If the paint stain doesn't go away, you may need to use a carpet steamer because the steam can remove the paint
Method 3 of 3: Remove Oil Paint
Step 1. Scrape the paint off using a caulk (a tool for caulking or scraping paint)
A kape is a short, flat tool made of plastic or metal. If the paint is still fresh, you can still remove it with a rag. Do not rub the paint as it can stain the carpet. Tuck the kape under the paint, then scrape and lift the paint off the carpet.
- Prepare a container near the carpet to accommodate the paint that you managed to take from the carpet.
- When the paint has dried, you can use a carpet steamer to soften it.
Step 2. Wipe off the paint with a clean white cloth
Again, do not rub and rub the paint because it can make it seep deeper into the carpet fibers. Dry the paint as much as possible until the fabric is no longer absorbing the paint.
It is important to use white fabrics because colored fabrics can stain the carpet and make the stain worse
Step 3. Add turpentine to the fabric and continue with the paint drying attempt
The turpentine helps separate the paint from the carpet fibers so you can clean the paint without scrubbing it. This will allow you to remove most of the paint (if you can't clean it all).
Step 4. Clean the affected area with a mixture of dish soap and cold water
While the turpentine may be able to remove any visible paint, you will need to clean the carpet fibers from the paint color that has smudged it. Mix one tablespoon (15 ml) of dish soap with two cups (500 ml) of cold water. Dip a clean white cloth in the mixture and apply the cloth to the affected area. Do this until the area is clean.
Once the carpet has been cleaned, use a tissue to absorb any remaining soap mixture
Tips
- If you've tried many times, but it still doesn't work, you may need to cut the stained area of the carpet and patch it with a new rug of the same type and color. It's a good idea to leave this to a professional as it's a difficult process and requires stretching the carpet to allow the patch to hide properly.
- It's a good idea to test the recessed area of the carpet before treating the stain with any material. Sometimes, the materials you use can make the carpet worse, while others may give satisfactory results.
- For expensive rugs and rugs (eg Persian rugs), we recommend that you contact a professional immediately.
- You must act as quickly as possible to make cleaning efforts easier.
- You can also use WD-40 or Goo Gone to remove hard-to-clean paint. Spray this product on the stain, let it sit for 5 minutes, then use a paint scraper or a dull knife to scrape off the stain. Next, wash the area with dish soap mixed with water. Lastly, vacuum the carpet.
Warning
- Never rub spilled paint of any kind on the carpet. Just wipe and wet the stain. If you rub it, the stain will spread and be more difficult to remove.
- Always be careful when using a sharp knife (such as a razor) to clean the stain.
