How to Remove Dry Paint from Carpet

You should match the carpet cleaning solvent with the type of stain under removal. Otherwise, you may end up destroying your carpet. Dried paint stain may even be more challenging – wrong procedure.

So, in this article, we shall be discussing how to remove dry paint from the carpet. To remove dry paint, you can either use laundry detergent and warm water, Denatured/Rubbing alcohol, washing machine and soap, or blot with Turpentine.

Alternatively, you can opt to use Hairspray, commercial paint removers like Goo Gone, acetone, or mineral spirit, especially for small section paint stain. During the paint removal process, ensure the solvent is thinned or diluted appropriately (follow manufacturer’s instructions).

Details: How to Remove Dry Paint from Carpet 

Avoid highly concentrated paint removers as they may bleach your carpet. Put on protective gear and stick to the procedure and precautions to remove paint or deck stains on the carpet. 

See Also: Removing Paint from Brick

Method 1: Blot with Turpentine

Turpentine solvents contain active ingredients that break down both latex and paint instantly upon application.

The dried paint is disintegrated to form a thick viscous fluid, which is more comfortable to clean.

• Tools and Materials Required
• Turpentine and spray bottle
• Hot water and an empty bucket
• Dish soap and white piece of cloth
• Protective gear – boots, respirator, overall, gloves, and goggles

Steps to Follow

• Wear protective gear (boots, gloves, overalls, and respirator) for personal safety
• Dilute turpentine in a bucket sufficiently
• Using a piece of white cloth, apply turpentine over the stained section
• Leave the paint to quench for 5 minutes
• Use a utility knife and remove cured paint gently
• Dip a white piece of cloth in turpentine and soak sufficiently
• Then, blot the paint stain slightly – do not rub
• Repeat the steps above until the entire surface is cleaned
• Mix dish soap with hot water and put it in a spray bottle
• Spray the cleaned surface to remove the traces of Turpentine
• Wash the section with water and dry the carpet under the sun. 

See Also: Removing Paint from Porcelain Tub

Method 2: Using Hairspray

Hairspray generates heat that quenches the dried paint and hence making it more comfortable to clean. The tools and materials required

• Hairspray and Power source
• Absolutely Clean Laundry and a spray bottle
• Water and piece of cloth
• Utility knife and protective gear
• Vacuum cleaner

Steps to Follow

• Connect the Hairspray to a power source and switch on
• Let the hairspray heat for sometimes
• Then, run the Hairspray over the surface gently – heat the dried paint
• Using a utility knife, get rid of cured paint – be careful not to destroy carpet material
• Repeat the previous steps until the entire paint is remove
• Dilute dish soap sufficiently and put it in a spray bottle
• Rinse over the paint clean section and wash with clean water
• Vacuum the surface (using a vacuum cleaner) to dryness – prevents mildew formation

NB: Be careful when using the Hairspray in order not to damage your carpet during the paint removal process. 

See Also: Removing Tile Backsplash

Method 3: Using Denatured Alcohol or Isopropyl alcohol

Denatured/Rubbing alcohol features a strong chemical formulation that breaks paint molecules instantly upon application.

Moreover, denatured alcohol can either be used when cleaning both water-based and oil-based paint. The tools and materials required;

• Denatured/Rubbing alcohol or Isotropic alcohol
• Empty bucket and piece of cloth
• Protective gear and hot water
• Waterpoint and putty knife

Steps to Follow

• In a bucket, dilute denatured alcohol – as per manufacturer’s instructions
• Dip the piece of cloth insolvent and apply over the dried paint stain
• Leave the paint to quench for 6 minutes
• Gently, remove the cured paint – using a putty knife
• Repeat the steps above and clean the paint further
• Blot the paint with denatured alcohol until the entire paint is removed – avoid rubbing the carpet
• Dilute liquid dish soap and wash out traces of denatured alcohol completely
• Rinse the section with water and dry the carpet under the sun

See Also: Removing Paint from Metal Railing

Method 4: Using Washing Machine

A washing machine and soap detergent is the best method when cleaning a large section of dried paint – either latex or acrylic dried paint.

Right cleaning settings should be considered when removing paint in order to prevent the carpet from damage. The tools and materials required;

• Washing machine and laundry liquid
• Waterpoint and protective gear
• Vacuum Cleaner

Steps to Follow

• Put on protective gear for personal safety
• Fill the Washing machine with water and soap detergent
• Connect the washing machine to power and  set it to cleaning options
• Press the switch button and aim the tip to the paint-stained area
• Run the nozzle back and forth until the entire paint is removed
• Rinse the section with clean water
• Connect the vacuum cleaner to the power supply and vacuum section excellently 

See Also: Will Acetone Remove Paint?

Method 5: Clean with Laundry Detergent

Laundry detergent integrates active ingredients, which break down dried paint sufficiently, provided the right concentration is maintained.

In addition, laundry detergent can be used to blot both wet and dried latex paint. The tools and materials required include;

• Absolutely Clean Laundry and water point
• Hot water and a piece of cloth
• Protective gear

Steps to Follow

• Dilute laundry liquid with hot water
• Dip a piece of cloth insolvent and apply over dried paint stain
• Leave the surface cure for 4 to 7 minutes
• Blot the surface gently until the paint is removed
• Wash the section with clean water – to remove soap
• Dry the carpet under the sun

Method 6: Commercial paint Remover – Goo Gone

Goo Gone is a commercial solvent that features natural active ingredients, which work instantly upon application without affecting the carpet material.

The solvent can be used to remove dried or wet acrylic/latex paint. The tools and materials required;

• Goo Gone– you can get it from Amazon
• Dish soap and an empty bucket
• Waterpoint and piece of cloth
• Spray bottle and utility knife

Steps to Follow

• Using Goo Gone, spray over dried paint sufficiently
• Leave the paint to quench for 5 minutes or otherwise advised by the manufacturer
• Using a utility knife, remove cured paint gently
• Repeat the previous step until the entire paint is removed
• Dilute Absolutely Clean Laundry and wash the paint cleaned section
• Rinse the section with clean water and leave the carpet to dry over the sun
• Alternatively, you can vacuum the cleaned section until the carpet is dry. 

See Also: Remove Acrylic Paint from Canvas

Process of Cleaning Various Sections of Paint Stained Carpet

The process of cleaning the carpet may differ with the extent to which the paint stain is spread.

In this regards, you can use either of the following options when cleaning your paint-stained carpet:

1. Spot Cleaning

The spot cleaning method is used when removing a small paint stain that has dried over the carpet – the removal process intends to clean only the stained section and prevents adjacent areas from further paint staining or cleaning effect.

Fill the cleaning solvent in a spray bottle and rinse over the stained section – be careful not to overspray the adjacent area. Leave the stain remover to act (for the time stipulated by the manufacturer) and blot the section gently.

Avoid rubbing the section when cleaning (you may push the cured paint into the carpet). When carrying out spot cleaning, consider option factors such as the solvent concentration, the type of paint stain (is it oil-based or water-based?), and the stain duration.

NB: It’s not advisable to rub or scratch dried spot stain – may lead to carpet damage.

2. Full Carpet Cleaning/Stripping

Dried paint stripping (from the carpet) is an approach undertaken when cleaning large paint stains or overspread spot stains.

During the paint removal process, you will need to soak the entire carpet in paint removal solvent. Leave the carpet to cure within the time directed by the manufacturer.

Alternatively, you can spread the carpet in an open place before applying stain remover sufficiently. Further, clean the cured carpet using a vacuum cleaner or a washing machine with soapy detergent.

You can also opt to scrub the cured carpet (manually) with a brush until the entire paint is removed. Soft blister brush does an incredible job when cleaning – prevents carpet damage. 

See Also: Removing Paint from Metal Door

3. Finish Cleaning

Upon cleaning your carpet, it’s advisable to rinse it with plenty of clean water in order to eliminate traces of paint removers.

Finish cleaning is best done by either using a washing machine, pressure washer, or vacuum cleaner. However, using the manual option works too; though more rinsing rounds are needed to attain quality finish results.

Upon cleaning, you will are required to spread the carpet fully under the sun to dry naturally.

Precautions When Removing Dried Paint from Carpet

During the paint removal process, stick to precautions and safety measures highlighted below:

1. Match the type of dried pain with the type of paint stain remover you intend to use – oil-based paint should be cleaned using oil-based paint remover
2. Never inhale paint stain removers as they may contain components that could irritate your nasal cavity.
3. Before applying paint removers, always carry out a drop test experiment on the surface to ascertain the action level.
4. In case you come into contact with paint stain removers, wash the section with plenty of water and soap and rinse sufficiently
5. Always wear protective gear (gloves, overall, respirator, and boots) during the paint removal process for your own personal protection.
6. Avoid scrubbing your carpet when cleaning (may lead to damage). Instead, blot the section gently until the paint is removed.
7. Always follow the manufacturer’s instruction when preparing your paint stain
8. If you are new to carpet paint cleaning, contract a professional to help you. 

See Also: Removing Paint from Wood Trim

Conclusion

In conclusion, on how to remove dry paint from a carpet, you can either use laundry detergent and warm water, denatured alcohol, washing machine, and soap, or blot with turpentine.

Besides, you can opt to use Hairspray, commercial paint removers like Goo Gone, acetone, or mineral spirit, especially for small section paint stain.

During the paint removal process, ensure the solvent is thinned or diluted appropriately (follow manufacturer’s instructions). Don’t use highly concentrated paint removers as they may bleach your carpet.

For your own personal safety, wear protective gear and stick to instructions/precautions highlighted in this article. Importantly, contract a professional paint remover if you are new to the carpet cleaning process.