How to Get Paint Off a Rug: The Easy Way

There are a million reasons you may be using paint at home - renovation, painting a piece of art, or covering up a blemish on your wall. In each case, the paint may drip or spill. If this happens and you have rugs at home, it could leave a nasty stain. And if you have spent good money purchasing the rug, the spill is a deal-breaker. But you can fix this. You can extract most paint stains with cleaning agents available at your local hardware store and a few easy steps.

While everything below will teach you how to get paint off of a rug, the same process may also work for carpets.

Tips to Remember Before Removing a Paint Stain

The first instinct on how to get paint off a rug is to remove it fast. But, attempts to remove it in haste could worsen the stain, and even damage the rug's fibers. So, before you try anything, these are some important dos and don’ts to remember.

Related: How to remove Wax from a Rug?

Find out What Type of Paint Was Spilled

In addition to knowing the above dos and don’ts, you should know what type of paint was spilled. Each type of paint may require varied steps and ingredients to clean. So, this will help you to find the right paint-removal solution depending on the type of paint spilled.

Related: Wool Rug Cleaning Guide

Get the Right Paint-removal Solutions

Each paint type may require specific cleaning solutions. So, the key to getting paint off of a rug or carpet is to get the right paint-removal solutions. The most common solution on how you can get paint off a rug is with a mixture of dish soap and water. You can also use other cleaning solutions like 100% acetone, rubbing alcohol, glycerine, and hydrogen peroxide.

Patch-test the Cleaning Solutions

The cleaning solution you choose to get paint off your rug will depend on the type of spilled paint. However, before application, you should patch-test it first. You can apply the cleaning solution in a hidden spot on the rug. If you do not notice any damage after a few hours, read further to proceed with the paint-removal steps.

How to Get Oil-based Paint Off a Rug/Carpet?

Oil-based paints have a thick, greasy consistency that may bind with the rug's material. This can make it troublesome to remove, but not impossible. It may take you multiple tries to fully dissolve the tough pigment. Here’s how you can get oil paint off a rug or carpet.

Rug Cleaner and Paint Remover

If you have purchased a ready-made rug cleaner, you must…

• Soak a clean rag in the cleaning solution.
• Then, blot the stain until the area is fully saturated.

You will also need a paint remover to follow the ready-made rug cleaner. Use it to…

• Blot the area until it removes the paint stain.
• Now, blot with a fresh rag soaked with cold water.
• This will help remove the paint cleaner and paint remover residue.
• You will need one more dry rag to complete the process.
• Use it to blot the spot and soak up the water.
• Let the spot air dry, and your rug should return to normal.

If you do not have a paint remover, try one of the methods below.

Remember: Do a patch test before using them on the rug.

100% Acetone

Concentrated acetone is a great solution for oil-based paint stains. To get it off:

• Blot the paint stain with a cloth soaked in the acetone solution.
• Let the chemical soak into the paint for about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Next, blot the area with cold water. 
• Use a dry rag to blot out as much water as possible.
• Then, let the spot air dry.

Hydrogen Peroxide

To use hydrogen peroxide, you must:

• Add it to a spray bottle and spray a small amount on the stain.
• Let it seep into the area.
• Leave it for about 10 minutes.
• The solution will soften the paint, which you can scrape off using a paint scraper.
• Do not spread the stain further as that might damage the fabric.

Pro Tip: If you do not have a spray bottle at home, you could always dab a clean rag in the hydrogen peroxide solution. Once it is soaked in the solution, apply it to the stain.

How to Get Water-based Paint Off a Rug?

Removing water-based paint stains is easy. Here is how you can get water-based paint off a rug (or carpet).

• Mix one part of dish soap and three parts of warm water to create the cleaning solution.
• Next, blot the stain with a clean, dry rag to remove excess paint pooling on top of the rug.
• Soak a rag directly into the mixture and blot the stain.
• Do this until the stain dissolves.
• Once the paint spill is out, blot the area with a clean, dry rag.
• Let the spot dry naturally.

Heads Up: Stubborn paint stains are much more difficult to remove. So, if you notice the paint stain still visible on the rug, simply focus your handheld steamer on the area and continue to blot the stain with a soapy rag. Follow this process until the stain vanishes.

How to Get Acrylic Paint Off a Rug or Carpet?

There are various techniques for how you can get acrylic paint off a rug or carpet. Below are some tried-and-tested options.

Dish Soap + Warm Water

• Prepare a solution of dish soap and water.
• Blot with a clean, dry rag to remove excess paint on top of the rug.
• Dilute a drop of dish soap with a whole cup of warm water.
• Add it to a spray bottle and spray it on the rug.
• Now, blot the stain with a clean rag until the stain dissolves.
• Dilute a drop of dish soap with a whole cup of warm water.
• Add it to a spray bottle.
• Spray the cleaning solution on the rug.
• Now, blot the stain with a clean rag until the stain dissolves.
• Another fresh rag will help you blot the residue dry.
• Let this space air dry, and your rug is good to go.

White Vinegar + Cold Water

• Mix one part of distilled white vinegar with 10 parts of warm water.
• Add it to a spray bottle.
• Spray the mixture on the stain.
• Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes.

Caution: Vinegar may discolor the rug if it’s kept for too long. So, keep a timer.

• Next, use a sponge with cold water to blot the paint stain.
• Repeat the blotting and spraying process until the paint completely dissolves.
• Let the spot air dry completely.

Pro Tip: If there isn’t a spray bottle at home, you can use a rag dipped in white vinegar and water and dab it on the stain. The results are the same.

Rubbing Alcohol

• Saturate a rag in rubbing alcohol.
• Blot the stain.
• Let it sit for roughly 20 minutes.
• Use a fresh dry cloth to blot the paint.
• This will also help soak up any residual rubbing alcohol.
• Allow the spot to air dry completely.

Glycerin

• Soak a rag in liquid glycerin.
• Blot the acrylic paint stain with this rag.
• Let the solution rest on the paint for about 30 minutes.
• Remove the residue with cold water. It will also help extract the glycerin.
• Lastly, blot the area with a clean dry rag and let the spot air dry.

Added Benefit: Liquid Glycerin helps loosen the paint, even if it's dry.

Acetone

• Soak the rage in acetone.
• Blot the paint with this rag.
• Allow the stain to absorb the solution for about 5 minutes.
• Follow this by blotting the mixture on the rug with cold water.
• Complete the process by blotting the area with a clean and dry rag.
• Let the spot air dry.

How to Get Latex Paint Off a Rug or Carpet?

The steps for this removal process are the same as those for water-based paints.

• First, mix one part of dish soap with a cup of warm water.
• Soak a rag or paper towel directly into the solution.
• Blot the rug with a clean, dry rag.
• This will help remove excess paint pooling on top of the rug.
• Use the solution-soaked rag on the stain until it comes off.
• Remove the residue with a clean and dry rag.
• Let the spot air dry completely.

Once again, if the paint stain is still on the rug, use a handheld steamer to steam the area. Also, keep blotting the affected area with a rag soaked in the soapy solution. Do this until the stain goes away.

Scraping Dry Paint Off a Rug

The methods above typically work on fresh stains. But there’s still hope, even if the spill has solidified. If you’re wondering how to get dried paint off a rug (or carpet), follow the steps:

Step 1: Scrape the Paint

The first step in removing the dried paint is to scrape it.

• Use a knife, or a flat-edged tool to remove as much dried paint as possible.
• Be gentle so that the rug’s fibers remain intact.
• Vacuum the dried paint chip bits.

Step 2: Steam the Dry Paint

The next step for how you can get dried paint off a rug (or carpet):

• Use a handheld steamer.
• Move the steamer against the remaining dry paint.
• Do this for about five minutes or until the paint softens.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have a handheld steamer:

• Pour some hot water onto the dried paint.
• Let the hot water soak into the stain.
• Leave it for about five minutes or until the paint softens.
• Then, blot the newly wet paint stain with a clean, damp rag to remove most of the paint.

Step 3: Blot with a Soapy Solution

Blotting with a soapy solution is part of most removal processes, including dried paint stains.

• Mix a drop of dish soap with one cup of water.
• Blot the paint stain with the solution until it comes off.
• Next, blot the area with a clean, wet rag to remove the paint and soap-water residue.

Step 4: Use Rubbing Alcohol for the Remnants

If you spot some paint residue, try using rubbing alcohol.

• Saturate a rag in rubbing alcohol and blot the stain completely.
• Let the paint stain soak in the solution for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Dry blot the area with a clean rag to remove the remnants of the paint.

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FAQs

How to Get Spray Paint Off a Carpet?

You can use a white cloth soaked in paint thinner or diluted liquid dish detergent to remove a spray paint stain. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then blot away the residue with a clean rag. Repeat the process till all the paint is out. Tet the space air dry.

How to Get Emulsion Paint Off a Carpet?

First, remove as much paint from the carpet/rug as you can, then, apply rubbing alcohol to the stained area and let it sit for 5 minutes. Blot away the remaining moisture with a clean rag, and repeat the steps until all the paint comes off. Let it air dry.

How to get Enamel Paint Off a Carpet?

If you cannot work on the spill immediately, place a damp towel on the area to keep it hydrated. When you’re ready, use a butter knife’s edge to scrape off most of the paint. Blot the area with a 50-50 solution of soap and water. Repeat until it is stain-free.

How to Get Fabric Paint Off a Carpet?

The bottle in which the fabric paint is stored usually has instructions for removal. Moreover, the removal may depend on whether the paint is dry or wet. It is easier to remove the latter. Liquid detergents mixed with water can get wet fabric paint off the carpet/rug.

How to get Face Paint off a Carpet?

To remove water-soluble face paint, blot with a laundry stain remover and warm water. For an oil-based face paint, apply a light-colored grit-free hand cleaner. Leave it there for about five minutes. Then, blot in the liquid dish detergent and rinse thoroughly. Air dry the carpet and check for residue.

Does White Vinegar Remove Paint from a Carpet?

White vinegar can remove paint stains from carpets/rugs. But you need to dilute it with four cups of water before application. Pouring the mixture on the stain, then blotting it out, should help extract the paint.

Does Rubbing Alcohol Get Paint Out of a Carpet?

Rubbing alcohol is a great solution to get paint off a carpet as well as a rug. Applying it to the fibers of the carpet, and letting it sit for about five minutes helps loosen the paint.