It has happened to many of us. You decided to improve the aesthetics of your room – fixing the damages and repainting the walls. The latter requires extra care because you risk spilling the paint on the floor and that leads to the question of how to get paint out of carpet when dry.
Of course, you might not have noticed the spill on time and by the time it dries, you will have double work on your hands. Not to worry – we will offer a helping hand – showing you just how to remove dry paint from the carpet.
Pre-Cleaning Measures to Take
The spill happens when you are not looking and by the time you realize it, the paint has “settled in the carpet.” Before cleaning it, we recommend taking some steps. These boost your chances of getting the flakes out in one cleaning.
Make Sure the Area is Ventilated
Except you are dealing with a new spill; there is a need to introduce air to the stained area. You will need some cleaning products to get the stains out – and they produce fumes. Letting these fumes remain in the room will only harm your health.
You can ventilate the way in several ways:
- Opening the windows to let in fresh air.
- Turning on the fan or HVAC and directing the breeze towards the stained area.
Clear the Area before Cleaning
You are just concentrating on the carpet – so every other item that could obstruct the process should be removed. Do these:
- Remove the other furnishings in the room. This helps to protect them from the moisture absorbed in the carpet.
- You can also install an aluminum foil under the furniture if you don’t want to move it.
Identify the Type of Dried Paint on the Carpet
You will use different methods to get the paints out, depending on the types. Therefore, understanding the type of paint that spilled on the carpet will help make the job simpler.
Examples are:
- Latex Paint: This is a water-based paint. If it dries on the carpet, you will need a variety of cleaning products, ranging from adhesive dissolver and a mixture of water and vinegar.
- Oil-Based Paint: this type of paint is made of synthetic oils and can be removed with rubbing alcohol, turpentine, and paint thinner.
Attending to the Spill Immediately Helps
Do not wait for many more minutes if you notice that the paint has spilled on the carpet. Get the cleaning tools ready at once and get to work.
The longer you wait, the more the chance for the paint to set – and become more difficult to remove.
The Choice of Cleaning Products is Important
Understand that not all cleaning tools and products can be used to get dried paint out of a carpet. Besides the recommended carpet stain remover products, you can also make DIY solutions, such as white vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap.
Doing a Spot Test is Important
Irrespective of the type of paint being removed; you need to be sure of the cleaning solution’s effectiveness. We recommend doing a spot test – using a little of the cleaning mixture in an inconspicuous part of the carpet.
Allow the mixture to stay on the stained area for some time and inspect for traces of damage or discoloration. If the carpet is free of any of those; you are then free to use the rest of the mixture on the other stained areas.
1. How to Get Water-Based Paint out of Carpet
Water-soluble paints include latex and acrylic. While the general submission is that this type of paint is faster to remove than the oil-based variant – you may find the acrylic paint harder to remove than the latex paint.
In this section, we show you how to get dried acrylic (or latex) paint out of carpet.
Tools You Need
You need the following tools to ensure swift and clean removal of the flakes of dried paint:
- Liquid dishwashing soap or detergent
- Latex gloves
- A utility or putty knife
- Paper towels or some clean, white clothes
- A spray bottle
- White vinegar
- A stiff brush or a bristle-free brush
- Vacuum cleaner and;
- Warm water
Directions for Cleaning
By following the steps below, you will get both dried acrylic and latex paints out of your carpet:
a. Remove the Excess Paint
Keep in mind that you may be unable to remove all the flakes of paint at once. However, you can remove the excess to some extent.
Here is how to do that:
- Put on the gloves to protect your hands.
- Use the putty or utility knife to scrape off the excess paint from the area.
Note: while using the blunt end of the knife, be careful not to be overzealous, as that could end up damaging the carpet’s fibers when the knife digs in deeper.
b. Clean the Area
You can use your hands to pick up the chips of paint as they are being scrapped off. When you are done, vacuum the area to have a clean surface.
c. Moisten the Stains
You would need to moisten or soften the stains before any other thing. To do so, spray warm water over the affected area and allow it to soak in.
d. Prepare the Solution in the Spray Bottle
You will now choose the cleaning solution to use. We shortlisted white vinegar and liquid dishwashing detergent/soap for this purpose. You can use any of the two.
Here is how to prepare the mixture:
- Pour half a cup of warm water into the spray bottle.
- Add either half a teaspoon of white vinegar or liquid dish soap.
- Shake the bottle to have the content mixed thoroughly.
e. Apply the Solution to the Stain
You can now directly spritz the content of the spray bottle onto the stained part of the carpet. Be gentle when doing this. When done, allow the solution to stay in the area for some minutes.
Remove the Stains
There are two different ways to remove the water-based oil paint after applying the solution:
- The first is to blot the area with a clean cloth. Be careful not to rub the paint stains deeper into the carpet.
- If you don’t prefer that option; then scrubbing the stains will work. You will need to scrub the affected area with the bristle-free brush. Add more of the cleaning mixture, as required as it helps soften the stains.
f. Flush-out the Stains
When you are done wiping the stains – flush out the area with warm water. Rinse the spray bottle and fill it with warm water – or dip a clean towel into a bowl of warm water and wring out excess moisture from it before use.
Ensure that the rest of the soapy residues are removed from the area before progressing to the next step.
g. Vacuum the Carpet
You can now complete the process by vacuuming the affected area. Open the windows or turn on the fan afterward to dry the carpet.
2. How to Get Dried Gloss Paint out of Carpet
Gloss is a type of oil-based paint. This paint category is popular because of these reasons:
- Oil-based paints are used because of the glossy finish.
- They are a heavy-duty option – and commonly used for interior wall painting.
- They have synthetic or natural oils as the base.
- Oil-based paints can be harder to remove, because of the extreme durability and higher moisture resistance.
Though oil-based paints, such as semi-gloss may be harder to remove from your carpet – we are prepared to show you how to get it right.
Materials Needed:
These are some of the tools you need:
- Latex gloves
- Paint scraper or a putty knife
- Turpentine or paint thinner
- Heavy-duty paper towels, a sponge, or a clean, disposal cloth.
- Cold water
- Liquid dishwashing soap
- A spray bottle
How to Clean the Dried Paint: Directions
Follow these directives to get the dried oil paint stains out of your carpet:
a. Scrape Away the Paint
Use the putty knife or the paint scrapper to remove the excess paint from the area. Here are the important steps to take:
- Be careful not to work the scrapper or the blunt end of the knife deeper into the carpet.
- Instead, carefully place the tip of the scrapper or the blunt end of the knife underneath the paint to have it removed. Be gentle throughout the process.
b. Blot the Area
You will do a pre-and-post-blotting. Do these:
- Use a couple of paper towels to blot the surface. You would be able to lift some of the paint residues from the carpet.
- You can now get the paper towel dampened by dipping it into a bowl of cold water or applying either small amounts of turpentine or paint thinner to it. Use the towel to blot the area once again, ensuring that you don’t scrub. In a few minutes, you will notice that most of the remaining paint spills have broken up – and now coming off.
Note: you will make the most out of the paint thinner if you do the following:
- Be careful so the thinner doesn’t spread the paint stains.
- Rinse the towel if that’s what you are using. This helps to prevent a build-up of the thinner. Replace the paper towels (if that’s what you use), if they become covered with the paint coming off the carpet.
c. Clean the Area with Dish Soap Solution
Now that the majority of the paint stains are gone, you have another problem to tackle – removing the residues of the paint thinner. This is when you will prepare the liquid dishwashing soap solution.
- Prepare the solution using this ratio: 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap and 1 cup of cold water. Mix these in a small bowl.
- Apply the solution to the affected area using either a sponge or a clean, white cloth.
- Gently blot the area with paper towels to get the residues out.
- Pour warm water into a spray bottle, spritz it on the area, and ensure the liquid dish soap residues are removed entirely.
- Vacuum the area and blot dry with a paper towel.
3. How to Get Dried Paint out of Carpet with Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can be very helpful in getting dried paint stains out of your carpet. Follow these steps and you will get it right:
Make a Clean Cloth Damp
Apply a little bit of rubbing alcohol to a clean, white cloth. Make sure it is damp before dabbing it into the affected area.
Here are the steps to take:
- Make the paint moist
- While at it, agitate the paint with your fingers.
- Allow the alcohol to stay in the area for some minutes.
Blot the Area
After about 20 minutes, you can be sure the rubbing alcohol has done its work – softening the stains.
You can then use a piece of clean, white cloth to blot the area – making sure to soak up all the alcohol in the process.
Allow the Area to Dry
Once blotting is completed, allow the area to dry. Open the windows or turn on the fan to accelerate the evaporation of the residues.
4. Removing Dried Paint out of Carpet with WD-40
The WD-40 cleaning product can be used to get dried paint out of the carpet. Here is the process:
Gather the Tools:
The following items are required:
- A can of WD-40 solution
- Bristle-free brush
- A putty knife and;
- Clean rags or towels
Scrape the Paint Away
You will use the putty knife to scrape away the paint from the floor. Make sure you get as much of the excess out as possible.
Note: we don’t recommend using a razor blade, because of the risk of damaging the carpet.
Soften the Stains with the Solution
Apply tiny drops of the WD-40 solution on the carpet. Make sure to coat it all around the stained areas. Work the solution into the area using a clean rag.
Thereafter, allow the solution to sit on the area for several minutes to help soften it.
Lift the Stain
You can now return to the area with elbow grease and a clean rag to scrub the paint stains out of the surface.
Clean the Area
If after the last process, you discover that more of the stains are left behind, do not hesitate to scrape off again with a putty knife.
Then, clean the area with a mixture of water and liquid, dishwashing soap. Apply with a damp cloth.
Rinse and Dry the Carpet
Finalize the process by rinsing with clean water and wiping dry with a clean towel.
5. How to Remove Dried Paint Spills by Steaming
Looking for a faster way to get rid of dried paint on your carpet? Steaming works!
You can use a handheld steamer unit to tackle the stains. Here is the process:
- Turn on the steamer and let it steam for a few seconds.
- Hold it near the affected/stained part of the carpet – but be careful not to allow it to touch the carpet.
- The steam produced will gradually lift the paint flakes out of the floor.
- Complete the process by wiping the surface with a damp cloth – and later, with a clean, dry towel.
Tips & Precautions for Getting Dried Paint out of Carpet
If you follow the right methods; getting dried paint out of your carpet will be a hassle-free process.
Here are some expert tips to guide you along:
Use a Paint Can
Paint drips from the wall and falls to the carpet because there is nothing close to prevent the stain. You can be thoughtful enough to use a paint can to protect the floor.
The items you need are the paint can and an aluminum pie tin – where you will glue the paint can. Once the two are joined, place the tin close to the carpet where you are painting the wall and get to work. If any paint drips down the side of the wall, you can be sure it will fall into the can and not directly on the carpet.
Don’t Saturate the Carpet
Although most of the cleaning solutions recommended in this article require water – you still don’t want to oversaturate the floor. Always use a damp cloth to prevent mildew and mold from building up on the stained area.
Gentility is Essential
The stains might be hard quite alright but equal forces may not get the job done. Being gentle with any of the cleaning approaches is recommended.
Avoid Harsh Cleaning Products
The cleaning products we have recommended so far include white vinegar, liquid dish soap, WD-40, and rubbing alcohol.
As a general rule, you must avoid harsh or chemical-based cleaning products, such as bleach. Using them opens up the carpet to damage and discoloration.
FAQs
1. Can I Clean Dried Paint out of the Colored Carpet?
Yes, you can but to be on the safe side, always do a spot test by using the cleaning solution in a smaller area of the carpet to gauge the outcome.
2. Will Baking Soda Get Paint out of Carpet?
You can make baking soda and water paste to remove the residues of white vinegar and liquid dishwashing soap from your carpet.
Conclusion
Getting dried paint out of your carpet can be tough work, but when you get into it the right way; lifting the stains becomes easier. However, if you are concerned about the fragility and the age of the carpet, it may then be a good idea to contact a professional carpet cleaner for the job.