How to Get Paint Out of Carpet (and Get Your Deposit Back)

Trying to figure out how to get paint out of carpet may cause dread and panic, even when it's not your fault! We all know that sometimes quick paint jobs leave even clean apartments with unslightly paint stains. If you're tired of looking at paint stains, this guide is for you.

We’ll help you tackle the paint removal process so you can get your security deposit back during an apartment inspection. Here’s how to get started.

How to Get Paint out of Carpet

Identifying the Type of Paint

Water-based or latex paint is often used for large projects, like painting walls. Oil-based paints can typically be found on trim, doors, and windowsills, thanks to their durability and strength.

If you're unsure what you’re dealing with, you can wash and dry a small section of the wall or painted area, let it dry, and wipe a cotton ball of rubbing alcohol over it. Latex paint will come off on the cotton, but oil-based paint will stay put, making removing paint from carpet trickier.

Acrylic Paint

• Identification: Dries to a hard, water-resistant film. Usually cleans up with soap and water.
• Examples: Commonly used for arts and crafts, including painting on canvas, wood, and fabric. You might also find it on walls in some older homes.

Oil-Based Paint

• Identification: Has a strong solvent odor and leaves an oily residue. Requires mineral spirits or paint thinner for cleaning.
• Examples: Traditionally used for exterior woodwork, doors, trim, and cabinets. Older homes might have interior walls painted with oil-based paint as well.

Water-Based Paint

• Identification: Dries quickly and cleans up easily with soap and water. Usually has a faint latex odor.
• Examples: The most common type of paint for interior walls and ceilings. Also used for furniture, cabinets, and trim. Modern exterior paints are often water-based as well.

Exercise Caution to Avoid Further Damage

Carpet is generally durable, but you can still damage it if you're not careful when trying to clean up paint. If you use anything like rubbing alcohol, fingernail polish remover, paint thinner, or wall paint remover, perform a spot test in a hidden area. If the spot tests get discolored, stick to water, soap, and a utility knife while going slow and steady through your cleanup methods.

How to Get Wet Paint Out of Carpet

Accidents happen, even when you’re being careful. The good news is you can often remove wet paint from carpet before the stain sets in. So save yourself the panic and start working slowly but deliberately through the following steps:

1. Wet the Carpet: Dip your dish cloth or paper towel into warm water and wet the stain and surrounding area until it’s damp.
2. Apply Your Cleaning Solution: Add a few drops of mild dish detergent to the stain.
3. Gently Scrub the Spot: Use a stiff-bristled scrub brush and gently work the water and dish soap into a lather until the stain dissolves.
4. Re-wet the Carpet: If you get a good soapy lather going, you may need to add more water and dab with paper towels to help dilute the soap.
5. Blot the Stain: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot the stain after the cleaning solution has had time to work. Keep blotting until no more paint comes up.
6. Dry the Carpet: Use a clean paper towel to absorb as much water as possible. You can also use a fan or open windows to help dry the carpet.

You should start seeing some promising signs that your carpet will be okay. However, if your stain is especially stubborn, you may need to make a few passes with a bottle of carpet cleaner. If the paint is already dried, you can move on to the next steps.

How to Get Dried Paint Out of Carpet

Seeing dried carpet paint can make your stomach sink, but hope doesn’t have to be lost.

1. Scrape Off the Excess Paint: Use a plastic scraper or a blunt knife to scrape off as much dried paint as possible, but be careful not to damage the carpet fibers.
2. Vacuum the Area: Use a vacuum cleaner to help get paint off carpet by removing any loose paint particles and debris from the carpet.
3. Apply Your Cleaning Solution: There are several cleaning solutions you can use to remove dried paint from carpet, such as rubbing alcohol, nail polish, paint thinner, or a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Apply the solution to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.
4. Blot the Stain: After gently scrubbing, use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot the stain. Continue doing so until the paint fades.
5. Rinse with Warm Water: Once the paint is gone, rinse the area with clean, warm water to remove any remaining cleaning solution.
6. Dry the Carpet: Use a clean paper towel to absorb excess liquid. You can also use a fan or open windows to help dry the carpet.

Figuring out how to remove dried paint on carpet takes time, so work slowly to ensure you don’t damage the carpet. But if you know the type of paint you’re dealing with, you can use some of the individual techniques and approaches below.

How to Get Oil-Based Paint Out of Carpet

Unfortunately, your work will be cut out for you if you’re looking for an oil-based paint remover. On the upside, oil paints aren't usually thick and may produce a smaller stain.

1. Blot Excess Paint: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot up as much of the excess paint as possible. Be careful not to rub the paint as it may spread and worsen the stain.
2. Use a Paint Thinner: You'll need to use a solvent like paint thinner to dissolve oil-based paint. Apply the solvent to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Blot the Stain: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot the stain, starting at the edges and working your way inward. Keep blotting until no more paint comes up.
4. Rinse with Warm Water: Rinse the area with clean water to remove any remaining solvent once the paint has been removed. Be sure to rinse thoroughly, as solvents can leave a residue that can attract dirt and dust.
5. Dry the Carpet: Use a clean paper towel to absorb as much water as possible. You can also use a fan or open windows to help dry the carpet.

When you remove oil-based paint, it’s mainly about paint thinners and detergent. Water-based paint remover works differently and requires moving from outside your stain with these tips.

How to Get Water-Based Paint Out of Carpet

Water-based paint, or latex paint, is usually among the easiest paint stains to remove from your carpet. Here’s how to address the problem, whether fresh or almost dried.

1. Blot Excess Paint: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot up as much of the excess paint as possible. Be careful not to rub the paint as it may spread and make the stain worse.
2. Apply Your Cleaning Solution: You can use dish soap and warm water, white vinegar and warm water, or rubbing alcohol. Apply the solution to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Blot the Stain: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot the stain, starting at the edges and working your way inward. Keep blotting until no more paint comes up.
4. Rinse with Warm Water: Once the paint is gone, rinse the area with clean water to remove any remaining cleaning solution. Rinse thoroughly, as the leftover cleaning solution can attract dirt and dust.
5. Dry the Carpet: Use a clean paper towel to absorb as much water as possible. You can also use a fan or open windows to help dry the carpet.

On the other hand, if you’re using acrylic paint, you’ll have to take different steps to remove it from your carpet.

How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Carpet

Unfortunately, acrylic paint is among the most challenging to remove, and there isn’t an acrylic paint remover to turn to. However, with the right technique and mindset, it’s not impossible.

1. Blot Excess Acrylic Paint: Act fast and quickly blot up a wet stain with a sponge or damp cloth without rubbing back and forth, which could make the stain spread.
2. Gently Scrape Dried Paint: Gently scrape off any dried acrylic paint with your utility knife to loosen up the dried paint without overly damaging your carpet.
3. Apply Rubbing Alcohol: Blot at the stain you’ve scraped with rubbing alcohol and use your knife again as needed.
4. Use a Cleaning Solution: Sprinkle a few drops of mild dish detergent directly on the paint stain.
5. Work from the Outside In: Apply equal parts dish soap and hot water and dab at both wet or dried stains by working from the outside edges into its center to avoid spreading the paint around.
6. Dry the Carpet: Place a fresh towel over the stain and lay any heavy books over it to help soak up the moisture.

Removing acrylic paint from carpet can be tough, so keep at it until you see some progress. But always go slow to avoid damaging your carpet with too much scraping.

Paint Removal Shopping List

Getting paint out of carpet requires the right tools, cleaners, and supplies:

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Hot water
• Mild dish soap
• Scrub brush
• Cleaning cloth or paper towels
• Sponge
• Carpet cleaner
• Utility knife
• Needle nose pliers
• Vacuum
• Gloves
• Rubbing alcohol
• Fingernail polish remover
• Manufacturer-recommended paint remover
• Dry towels

Before rolling up your sleeves and scrubbing, move through the following steps to determine how to attack the stain. Otherwise, you could worsen the issue and smear it into your carpet.

Looking for a New Apartment?

With patience and persistence, you can successfully remove paint on the carpet or dramatically reduce the problem. But if you’re still worried about how to get dried paint out of carpet, you can also explore whether or not your renters' insurance will cover it or look into a new policy before the next mishap.

And if you're in search of a new apartment to call home, head to Apartment List to check out our listings that include carpet, vinyl flooring, and hardwood floors to find your perfect match.

FAQs about Getting Paint out of Carpet

Will alcohol remove paint from carpet?

Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) can be effective in loosening and lifting fresh water-based paint stains from fabrics like clothes and carpets. Dab the stain with a clean cloth dampened with alcohol, working from the outside inwards. Repeat as needed.

Can baking soda remove paint from carpet?

Baking soda mixed with water into a paste can be quite effective in lifting fresh water-based paint stains from fabrics like clothes and carpets. Apply the paste to the stain, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft brush and rinse with warm water. For fresh acrylic paint stains on fabrics, a baking soda paste can also work, but it may not be as effective as for water-based paint. Test on a hidden area first and be cautious, as baking soda can be slightly abrasive and cause fading on some materials.

Can acetone be used to remove paint from carpet?

Acetone is one of the few solvents that can effectively dissolve oil-based paint. It can be useful for small, fresh stains on hard surfaces like metal or ceramic. However, you must use it with extreme caution, as it can damage your carpet if left on too long.

Can vinegar be used to remove paint from carpet?

White vinegar diluted with water (50/50) can help loosen and lift fresh water-based paint stains from non-porous surfaces like glass, tile, and metal. Dab the stain with a vinegar-soaked cloth and rinse with clean water. However, we suggest trying a mild detergent first because vinegar is slightly more likely to damage your carpet.