Oh no, there’s paint on your carpet! Maybe a little got past you when you were painting the walls, or maybe your kids decided to make your living room the newest Picasso look-alike. Either way, you need to act quickly. The good news is that paint drying on your carpet really is not the worst thing that could happen.
How To Treat Wet Paint on Carpet
The method for removal depends on the nature of the stain. Fortunately, paint is easier to remove from carpet than most other spills! So don’t stress, it’s possible for your carpet to look as good as new in no time.
It’s easy to panic, but don’t scrub! This is very important. Scrubbing will push the paint deeper into your carpet fibers and make it more difficult to remove. Instead, soak up the paint with a towel. But take a deep breath and always start by soaking up as much paint as you can first.
Also, avoid blotting the paint with the towel because this can also cause it to seep further into your carpet. Simply lay the paper towel over the stain and let it do the work. Repeat the process until there’s little or no moisture left.
After this process, let the paint dry overnight. (Sounds crazy right? But this really is the most effective way to remove it completely. Just keep reading.)
Removing Dry Paint From Carpet
Once the paint has dried overnight, try one of the following options:
- Start by simply using a rag to vigorously scrub the stain. You should see bits of dried paint come off in pieces. Once the stain is removed, vacuum over the area.
- Use a knife or razor blade to pick off the chunks of dried paint, taking great care not to cut your carpet.
- Try nail polish remover. Use a brush or towel to gently dab it onto the dried paint. Avoid using too much remover, as this can eat away at the adhesive on the back of your carpet. You will slowly see the paint stain begin to fade. Repeat this process several times if necessary. Once the stain is removed, go over the carpet with a wet rag, then again with a vacuum.
- Try WD-40. It comes in spray form and works well at breaking down tough stains like dried paint. Spray the affected area with the WD-40 then let it sit for about 25 minutes. Gently dab the area, rinse it with water, then vacuum.
- After trying each of these methods, you should still have your carpets professionally cleaned to make sure the stain is entirely removed and won’t come back in the future.
Live in or near San Fernando Valley? Call Delta Chem-Dry if you have questions or haven’t been successful removing paint on your own. We offer healthy cleaning solutions that are safe for your home and have been proven to be extremely effective. Schedule your appointment today!