When renovating, it is not uncommon to accidentally stain your carpet with paint. However, this is not a reason to panic. A number of oil and water-based paint stains can be removed from carpet fibres with a little time and a few cleaning materials. It is important to treat the stain as soon as it happens. Removing paint from clothes and paintbrushes can wait. That way you will ensure proper stain removal.
An important thing to pay attention to is the type of paint, the materials your carpet is made of, as well as if the paint stain is wet or dry. In this article, we will discuss the different types of paint stains, and how to remove them. Keep reading to find out how to remove acrylic, water-based, and oil paint, as well as how to treat the stains when they are already dry.
Here are a few tips on how to remove paint from your carpets, in order to make them look brand new again.
How clean water-based paint from your carpets and rugs?
Ideally, you should start treating this type of paint stain while it is still wet and easy to remove from the carpet fibres.
You will need: a putty knife or an old credit card, white rags or paper towels, dish soap or a solution of soap and water, a soft-bristled brush, a clothes steamer, and a vacuum cleaner;
How to treat the fresh paint stain: Use a putty knife or an old credit card to scrape off the majority of the paint while it is still wet. Do not rub it with a rug or a paper towel since you will end up pushing the stain further into the carpet fibres making it harder or even impossible to remove. After you scrape the paint off the surface of the carpet, blot the leftover paint away with a moist rug or paper towel. As the paint transfers to it, move to a clean area of the cloth to avoid spreading the stain further. Continue blotting until the stain is completely gone.
How to remove dried paint from your carpets?
The first and most important step is to reassemble the dried paint. Combine hot water and a few drops of dish soap in a small bowl. Use a soft-bristled brush (or an old toothbrush).
Saturate the dried paint and allow it to soak in and soften the paint for 5-10 minutes.
Once the paint has softened, scrape it off and blot it away. Use a putty knife and as the paint comes off, blot it away with a moist cloth or towel. If needed, use a brush to apply more of the hot soapy solution. Keep doing this until the paint is gone. Keep in mind that you should never rub the paint or it may smear or stain your carpet further.
If the hot soapy solution does not do the job, you may want to use a portable clothes steamer and blast the stain with some hot steam. Do not use a steam nozzle or a hot iron since it may cause the carpet fibres to melt. After steaming, scrape and blot the stain until it is gone. Vacuum after to ensure full removal. That will lift the carpet fibres and remove any remaining loose particles.
How to remove oil-based paint from your carpets?
Cleaning oil-based paint stains from carpet fibres is significantly harder. You can use the same method whether the stain is wet or dry.
You will require: a dull blade, toilet paper, white cotton rags, clothes steamer, turpentine or paint solvent, dishwashing detergent, and a brush with soft bristles;
How to treat: Wet paint should be lifted and blotted. If the stain is wet, use a dull knife to remove it from the carpet. Gently blot and wipe away the area with a moist towel and use a clothes steamer in order to keep the paint moist. As you wipe the paint away, use a clean, dry brush or a paperclip in order to straighten and separate the carpet fibres.
If the paint is dry, you should simply scrape it off and remove it. Scrape the dried stain with a dull knife until most of the paint is gone. Pick up the scraped-off paint flakes with a paper towel or a vacuum cleaner.
Use a solvent to clean
After you scrape the paint off the carpet, read its label and use a suitable paint solvent for it (turpentine, paint thinner, mineral spirits). If not mentioned, choose turpentine. If you are hesitant about using it, test on an inconspicuous area to make sure you will not cause a colour change. Blot the stain using a towel with a dab of turpentine on it. As the paint transfers move to a clean part of the rag. After removing most of the paint, use a soft-bristled brush and a hot solution of water and dish soap. Carefully clean the stain, rinse and clean with a damp cloth.
Vacuum and air dry the carpet. Make sure the carpet is dry before you vacuum it. Latex paint may be had to remove and if you struggle with such an issue, it is best to call a professional carpet cleaner.