How to Clean Acrylic Paint Out of Carpet

Acrylic paint was developed for Mexican mural painters to be able to paint their murals without the fear of the elements washing away their hard work. Acrylic paint has been a staple in creativity for painters since the 1950s. A paint spill on carpet can seem disastrous, but if you have to have paint on your carpet, be relieved it's acrylic. Acrylic paint is very easy to clean up.

Things You'll Need

• Laundry detergent
• Clean cloth or towel

Instructions

1. Sop up as much of the paint as possible by blotting the area with a soft, clean, dry cloth if the paint is not dry. Do not scrub or push the paint around the area as this will only cause it to spread and work its way deeper into the fibers of the carpet.

2. Fill the sink or a bucket with lukewarm water and add a scoop of powdered laundry detergent. Be sure to make sure that the laundry detergent does not have bleach in it or it may fade your carpet if it isn't white.

3. Dip a cloth into the solution and wring it out thoroughly.

4. Place the towel directly on the stained area and allow it to sit for at least two hours.

5. Remove the cloth and allow the carpet to dry. It may be helpful to set a fan nearby to speed the drying process along.

6. Vacuum the area once it is completely dry to fluff the fibers back up and revive the carpet.

Tips & Warnings

• The sooner the area can be cleaned, the smaller the chance of a permanent stain.

References

• Sanford & A Lifetime of Color: Study Art