Get Acrylic Paint Out of the Carpet

Spilling acrylic paint on a carpet is inevitable especially if you like DIY projects or have creative kids. While acrylic paint is water-based, it doesn’t mean that it is easy to clean and remove. Acrylic paint can be challenging to clean and may take a long time to come out of the carpet fibers. Additionally, some carpets could be sensitive to cleaning products so you should tackle this task with utmost care.

If you are currently facing the problem of removing acrylic paint on your carpet then read our step-by-step guide on the most effective and ingenious ways how to get acrylic paint out of the carpet as well as some reminders to make this task a breeze.

How to get acrylic paint out of the carpet (Fresh):

Fresh acrylic paint stains are relatively easy to clean because they haven’t gotten deep into the carpet. Oftentimes, it only requires gentle cleaning solutions and minimal effort.

Below, we’ve listed the steps for removing fresh acrylic stains on a carpet in more detail.

Step #1. Choose your cleaning solution

It is important to choose the best cleaning solution to make sure that you can remove the stain effectively without damaging your carpet.

Here are the best cleaning mixtures that you can use to remove fresh paint stains.

• Warm water and liquid soap

Warm water helps dissolve as well as loosen the acrylic paint from carpet fibers. On the other hand, liquid soap allows water to penetrate into the carpet fibers and expel the acrylic paint off the carpet, This mixture is generally safe and the ingredients are very accessible.

To create this mixture, you simply need 1 cup of water with 1 tsp. of liquid soap. Mix thoroughly and get ready to clean.

• Warm water and white vinegar

Warm water and white vinegar is another handy solution to this problem. Vinegar is a type of acid that works like a magnet in removing stains.

Making your warm water and vinegar mixture is easy. Just remember that the ratio of warm water to vinegar is ten to one. This means that for every 10 parts of water, add 1 part of white vinegar. For instance, for every 10 tbsp. of warm water, add 1 tbsp. of vinegar.

Important reminder: Do not apply just liquid soap or vinegar on your carpet. Although these two ingredients are generally safe, they can still damage fibers and ruin your carpet especially if it is made of wool, silk, and other natural fibers. Always mix them with warm water.

Step #2. Blot the stain with dry paper towels or microfiber

Blot the stain with paper towels or microfiber starting from the outside edges of the spill to the middle. This can help to contain the stain and prevent it from expanding.

Important reminder: Just blot the stain. Never rub or scrub the paint aggressively as it may cause the stain to get deeper into the carpet.

Step #3. Dab or spray your chosen cleaning solution on the stained area

Using a microfiber cloth or sponge, dab the mixture on the stain. You may also spray your cleaning solution on the carpet using a spray bottle.

Step #4. Blot the stain again with dry paper towels

Just like in step #2, blot the stain with paper towels from the outside edges to the middle. At this point, you should be able to wipe off the paint easily.

Repeat the steps until you are able to remove the stain.

How to get acrylic paint out of the carpet (Dry):

Dried acrylic paint stain can be extra challenging especially when the stain has been on your carpet for quite some time. Cleaning this stain requires more time and stronger cleaning products.

We’ve listed everything you need to know to remove a dried acrylic paint stain in the guide below.

Step #1. Scrape off the dried paint

Using a sharp item like a razor, scissors, or knife, gently scrape off the dried paint. Be careful when using these tools to prevent any possible injury.

Important reminder: This step may not be the most ideal for carpets that have long fibers. If your carpet has long fibers, be extra careful and take your time so you won’t damage your carpet.

Step #2. Vacuum the dried paint residue

It is important to remove all the scraped dried paint residue so you can avoid more stains. Acrylic paint can reactivate with water. If the residue gets activated by water, another stain will form.

Step #3. Loosen up the remaining dried paint by using a vacuum steamer attachment

This step is optional but if you can do it, it can certainly save you some time. Activate your vacuum’s steamer function and direct the steam to the stain. This can loosen up the dried paint faster and make the cleaning process easier.

Step #4. Choose your cleaning solution

As we have briefly tackled above, dried paint stain requires more potent cleaning solutions. Below we’ve listed the best cleaning solutions for this task.

• Acetone

Acetone is a strong solvent that can remove many types of stains including dry paint. While acetone is proven effective in removing stains, take note that it may also damage your carpet’s color. Hence, do not apply this solution on its own. Make sure to mix it with water and never leave it on your carpet for more than 20 minutes.

To make your acetone-cleaning mixture, mix one-part acetone with two parts of water.

• Glycerin

Glycerin is another great cleaning product to remove dried the stain on the carpet. It softens dried and hardened paint stains. This makes the stain easy to remove and clean. Glycerin is a milder substance than acetone. You can use it on its own and leave it on your stained carpet for up to 30 minutes to ensure that the paint is finally loose and easy to remove.

• Isopropyl alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is a safe cleaning solution for different fabrics. It can be used as a spot cleaner to remove ink and even paint. You don’t need to mix alcohol with water or any solvent. It is deemed safe and will not cause any damage to your carpet. Allow the alcohol to soften the paint and let it sit for up to 10 minutes.

Step #5. Spray your cleaning solution on the stained area

Using a spray bottle, apply your chosen cleaning solution to the stain. Make sure to only direct the cleaning mixture to the stain to prevent the chemicals from potentially damaging the other parts of the carpet.

Step #6. Let your cleaning solution sit for a few minutes

Our recommended cleaning solutions require different soaking times. Below we’ve noted the maximum time you should leave the solution on your carpet to prevent ruining your carpet

• Acetone – 20 minutes
• Glycerin – 30 minutes
• Isopropyl Alcohol – 10 minutes

Important reminder: The paint stain may appear like it’s expanding while you’re soaking it. Do not panic, it is part of the cleaning process. This only means that the chemicals are working to bring the stain to the surface for easy cleaning.

Step #7. Gently scrub using a toothbrush

If you think that the paint is still difficult to wipe off, you may scrub the stained part of the carpet gently with a toothbrush. If you think that the paint is already easy to remove by just blotting, proceed with the next step.

Important reminder: Do not rub or apply too much pressure as it may drive the paint and chemicals deeper into the carpet causing damage and a longer cleaning time.

Step #8. Blot with a paper towel or microfiber

Wipe off all the chemicals and paint by blotting. Again, do not apply too much pressure. If there are still remaining paint stains on the carpet, you may repeat the cleaning process from the beginning.

However, if you are using acetone, repeating the cleaning process once should be enough. If there are stains left, opt for milder cleaning solutions like vinegar and water to prevent any damage to your carpet.

Step #9. Rinse off the chemicals with water and liquid soap

Mix 1 tsp. of liquid soap with warm water and apply it to the cleaned area. This is an important step particularly if you are using acetone so you can make sure that there is no acetone residue that can cause discoloration on your carpet.

Step #10. Dry your carpet with a towel

You can dry your carpet by dabbing it with a towel or just letting it air dry.

Conclusion

So, getting acrylic paint out of a carpet isn’t as bad as you originally thought by following the steps listed above. If you have any that we haven’t covered then please let us know.