How to get acrylic paint out of carpet, wet or dried

Step by step: how to get acrylic paint out of carpet, wet or dried

Safety first. Rubbing alcohol is flammable: keep it away from flames and open a window. Do not use paint thinner, acetone or nail polish remover on carpet without a hidden-spot test, as they can dissolve synthetic fibers and the backing adhesive.

1. 1

   Scoop up wet paint without spreading it

   Use a spoon or dull knife to lift blobs of wet paint, scooping from the outside edge in toward the center. Wipe the tool after each pass. Do not wipe across the carpet, which pushes paint into clean pile.

2. 2

   Blot with a damp cloth

   Blot the remaining paint with a white cloth dampened in warm water, pressing and lifting. Turn to a clean section every time it picks up color. Keep the paint wet; water-based paint comes out easily until it dries.

3. 3

   Work in dish soap or liquid detergent

   Mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap or liquid laundry detergent into 2 cups of warm water, or pour a little liquid detergent directly on the spot. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot. Gently loosen paint at the base of the fibers with an old toothbrush, then blot again.

4. 4

   Soften dried paint with rubbing alcohol

   If the paint has dried, test rubbing alcohol on a hidden spot, then dab it onto the paint and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, keeping it moist. The paint will turn soft and gummy. Do not pour it on; you want the paint wet, not the backing.

5. 5

   Loosen and lift the softened paint

   Work the softened paint off the fibers with a toothbrush or the edge of a dull knife, then blot it up. Repeat the alcohol and loosening a few times for thick paint. Go slowly; you are breaking the paint off the yarn, not scrubbing the carpet.

6. 6

   Rinse and blot

   Blot the area with plain warm water to remove the soap and alcohol, then press with a dry cloth. Leftover detergent leaves a sticky spot that collects dirt.

7. 7

   Weight it down to dry

   Put a folded dry towel over the spot and weigh it down with a heavy book for a few hours. Then fluff the pile with your fingers. If a few fiber tips are still crusted, snip only those tips level with the pile.

How to remove each type of paint from carpet

Water-based paints (acrylic, latex, tempera, washable kids’ paint) come out with soap and water while wet, and with alcohol once dry. Oil-based paint needs a solvent and is much harder on carpet.

Tide’s paint guide calls isopropyl alcohol a good choice for acrylics because it breaks down the paint so it can be flushed away, and suggests soaking latex paint stains in alcohol for 10 to 15 minutes. For carpet and upholstery it says to scrape off the excess without spreading it, let liquid detergent sit on the stain, blot, then weigh down a dry towel on the spot.

Can you get dried paint out of carpet?

Often yes for acrylic and latex, but expect more work and possibly a faint shadow. The University of Georgia Extension paint stain guide warns that latex paint should be treated while still wet, because once it dries the stain may become permanent. That is why the first five minutes matter most.

• Small, dry flecks on the tips of the pile can sometimes be crumbled off with your fingers, then vacuumed.
• Thick dried paint needs repeated alcohol soaks; give each one 10 to 15 minutes.
• On loop pile like Berber, never pull or cut loops to get paint out.

When to call a professional

Call a carpet cleaner for oil-based paint, a large spill, wool carpet, or a stain that is still visible after a few rounds. Solvents strong enough for oil paint can dissolve some synthetic fibers and loosen the latex that holds tufts to the backing.

Until then, follow the Carpet and Rug Institute basics: blot with white cloths, do not scrub or use a stiff brush, and rinse out whatever cleaner you used. For paint on clothes, see our guide to getting paint out of clothes.

Mistakes to avoid

• Wiping wet paint across the carpet, which spreads it into clean pile.
• Letting latex or acrylic paint dry before you start.
• Pouring alcohol or solvent straight onto the carpet and soaking the backing.
• Scrubbing with a stiff brush, which frays and fuzzes the pile.
• Using acetone or paint thinner on synthetic carpet without a test.