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Spilled paint accidents can happen to the best of us. As you’re putting that final coat of egg-shell blue in a room, when suddenly there’s a splat and you look down to find paint all over the carpet. This accident means you’ll have to work fast to get the spilled paint out of the rug. If you aren’t quick enough, the carpet is ruined, and you have the added expense of replacing it.
The first thing you need to do is determine which type of paint you’ve used, as that will determine what you need to do to remove it safely from your carpet. Whether it’s oil, dry, still wet, or water-based paint, it is possible to remove that paint from your carpet before it sets. To avoid these unfortunate accidents, you should hire professional painters who will do a clean, thorough job painting your house.
Ready to get that spilled paint up? Then, follow us into our list of the best tips for getting spilled paint on carpet out today:
Act Quickly
If you spilled paint on the carpet, the worst thing you can do is leave it sitting there. Once it dries, it’s going to be super-hard to get it up. In some cases, it might be impossible to save the carpet at all.
The first thing you should do is contain the spill by surrounding it with cloths or paper towels. Then, blot up as much of the excess paint as possible. Don’t rub! It will set the paint into the carpet, and that’s what you don’t want to happen.
If you are using any cleaners to remove the paint, test them in a discrete location first. You will see how well the solutions interact with the paint and the carpet before going further with your cleaning.
Removing Acrylic Paint
If it’s acrylic paint that you’ve spilled on the carpet, you need to find some glycerin to remove it with. Simply add the glycerin to the stain, then gently blot it up without rubbing. Once the paint is removed, you can remove any residue with rubbing alcohol, followed by water and a mild, soapy detergent. When this step is completed, absorb the rest of the paint with a sponge and dry before vacuuming.
Removing Oil-Based Paint
Most oil paints will leave permanent staining behind if you don’t clean up the spill right away. Once you notice the spill, grab some turpentine or mineral spirits, then quickly apply them to the spilled paint. If the oil paint has dried, try using turpentine to loosen the paint and make it soluble, then blot it, not rub, with paper towels.
Once you’ve blotted up the paint, remove any residue left behind with rubbing alcohol. Afterwards, make sure to clean the carpet with a mixture of soap and water to make sure the paint is completely removed.
Removing Latex Paint
For a latex paint spill, you need an alkali and beach-free detergent and water mix. Simply put the solution on the stain and blot it until the paint is gone. Removing latex paint from carpets is much easier than removing other types of paint. However, it still needs to be done right away for the best results.
Removing Water-Based Paint
You have to be careful when dealing with water-based paint, as it can spread if you use too much water to clean it up. Instead, try using a small amount of water or even vinegar after removing the initial spill. Make sure to blot with paper towels, again not rub as it will set the stain.
Once the blotting is complete, try using a mild detergent to clean the spill, then rinse the carpet carefully with water. Vacuuming after drying is recommended as well.
Removing Dry Paint
While you should try hard not to let it get to this point, it is still possible to save your carpet if you don’t get to the spill before it dries. Try removing as much of the stain as possible with a putty knife or even a razor blade. Once you have completed this step, spray the paint with WD40.
Let the combo sit for twenty minutes, then blot the area carefully to remove any moisture from the spot. Afterwards, take a pair of tweezers to remove the stray pieces of dried paint from the carpet. Clean the area with a mild detergent, rinse with water, and let dry.
These are just a few ways to remove spilled paint from the carpet in your home. You save yourself the trouble of buying a new carpet. In the end, the room looks pristine and adorable, just like it’s supposed to be.
