How to Clean Up Oil Paint Splatters

Splatters from oil paint can stain floors.

Even the most careful artist can get some oil paint splatters on the floor and their clothing. Prompt action can prevent these splatters from setting and possibly permanently staining the floor or piece of clothing. One tricky aspect of cleaning up oil paint is that the paint leaves an oily residue in addition to the paint itself. As with any stain removal procedure, pay attention to the types of chemicals you use because some chemicals can stain surfaces more than the oil paint itself.

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning cloth
• Turpentine or paint thinner
• Brush
• Carpet cleaner
• Scissors
• Paper towels
• Liquid dish soap
• Mild detergent

Instructions

Splatters on Carpet

1. Apply water to any wet oil paint splatters. Wipe up the area with a damp cloth to soak up as much of the splatter as you can. Repeat until you remove all of the paint.

2. Dab a small amount of paint thinner, turpentine or commercial carpet cleaner on any leftover stains. Check any care instructions for the carpet to see if the chemical you use is safe. Test any chemical on a small section of carpet to make sure it does not affect the carpet's color.

3. Scrub any dried splatters with a brush to remove as many pieces of paint as possible.

4. Put water on any dried spots to loosen the oil paint splatter from the carpet fibers. Scrape off as much as you can.

5. Use a steam cleaner to remove any remaining spots. Trim any permanently stained fibers with scissors, but only as a last resort because this will permanently alter your carpet.

Splatters on Hardwood Floors

1. Wipe up any wet oil paint splatters with wet paper towels or a damp cloth.

2. Use a small brush or toothpick to scrape out paint from cracks or grooves in the floor.

3. Scrape off any oil paint splatters that have started to dry with a dull knife, spatula or other smooth edged tool. Be careful not to scratch the floor.

4. Rub the area with a cleaning solvent designed to protect hardwood floors to remove any paint splatters or residue that has started to dry. Do not use turpentine or paint thinner on hardwood floors because it will damage the finish.

5. Wash your hands and wipe the floor with water to remove any traces of the solvent.

Splatters on Clothing

1. Scrape off any significant splatters from the clothing.

2. Soak the splattered area in a liquid dish soap or mild detergent for five minutes.

3. Scrub the clothing with a damp cloth to remove the soap and any oily residue.

4. Apply a small amount of turpentine to the clothing with a cloth or sponge if the soap does not remove the entire oil paint splatter. Too much turpentine will stain the clothing further so use as little as possible to wet the area.

5. Peel or scrape off any solid oil paint splatters. Blot the area with a mild detergent and rinse with water to remove any remaining oily residue.

6. Wash the garment and your hands with soap and water to remove any turpentine.

Tips & Warnings

• Speed counts when cleaning up oil paint splatters.

• Turpentine can stain some surfaces.

References

• I Love India: How To Remove Paint From Clothing
• Mrs. Clean: How To Remove Paint Stains
• Empty Easel: How to Clean your Paint Brushes after Oil Painting