How to Remove Wet Paint from Carpet

Removing paint from carpet can be an almost impossible task when it is dry. If you spill paint on your carpet, however, when it is wet, it can still be salvaged. Here are the steps to show you how to proceed.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Liquid dish detergent
• 1 quart warm water
• 1/4 tsp. vinegar
• Rubbing alcohol (for latex or acrylic paint)
• Sponge
• Mineral spirits (for oil based paint)

1. First, mix a detergent solution of 1 tsp. dishwashing liquid into a quart of warm water. Add 1/4 teaspoon of vinegar to this mixture. Allow the solution to sit for about ten minutes before using.

2. For acrylic or latex paint, you'll want to begin with your detergent mixture. Use the mixture to spot-clean or blot the paint spill from the carpet. To avoid ruining the carpet, make sure you don't soak through to the backing of the rug.

3. If the color residue of the paint is still showing, try blotting the stain with rubbing alcohol. Again, avoid saturating the backing of the carpet with liquid.

4. If the paint spill is oil-based, you'll want to sponge the area with mineral spirits that are odor-free. Again, make sure the carpet does not absorb the spirits to the extent of moistening the backing.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove wet paint immediately before it has time to set.

Resources

• Carpet Institute of Australia