How to Get Acrylic Paint out of Carpet – Easy Removal Methods
This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission from purchases made through them, at no additional cost to you.
Spilling acrylic paint on your carpet can feel like a total nightmare, especially if you do not know how to clean it up properly. Using the wrong products or methods can result in making the problem worse or even damaging the carpet. The following piece will teach you the process of how to safely and effectively remove wet and dry paint from the carpet.
How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Carpet Easily
Acrylic paint is water-based and therefore, usually easy to wash. They do, however, contain certain chemical agents which can make them difficult to remove. If the paint is left on your carpets it may become dry and hard which will then cause damage to the fibers. Thick carpets will actually absorb the acrylics, making them even harder to remove. The following methods are good ways to remove fresh spills, but they may not work as well on dry paint.
How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Carpet with Soap and Water
The success of this method depends on how quickly you can get to the paint spill and also the type of carpet you have. There are several tools and substances that you need to remove acrylic paint from carpets with this method, including the following:
- Dishwashing soap
- A spray bottle
- Paper towel
- Lukewarm water
The Method
Before you begin, try to mop up as much of the excess paint as you can from the carpet with the paper towel. When mopping up the spilled paint, be careful to avoid smudging the paint further into the carpet. Be very gentle with the paper towel, do not rub the paint, and use a clean piece with each blot.
Prepare your soap mixture in your spray bottle, with around one cup of water to about five milliliters of dish soap. Using your bottle, gently spray the soap mixture onto the paint, being sure not to spray too much so that it becomes foamy. Then using your paper towels, dab the carpet to soak up the paint. Repeat this until the paint has lifted out of the carpet.
Be careful to spray lightly, if there is too much soap solution the carpet may be left with a film when dry. Dry the carpet carefully with paper towels when you are finished.
How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Carpet with Vinegar
This method to get acrylic paint out of carpet also requires that it is done on wet paint. Using vinegar is very effective in removing acrylic paint and often easier than using water. You will need the following substances and tools for this effective method:
- White vinegar
- A spray bottle
- Both warm and cold water
- A sponge
- Paper towel
The Method
Begin by patting down the paint spill with a clean paper towel as in the previous method. Combine one part vinegar to ten parts of warm water in your spray bottle, shake it well to mix properly. Spray a little liquid onto the paint and then as mentioned in the soap and water method, dab the paint with a paper towel being cautious not to rub or spread the mess.
Keep repeating this method until the paint has been removed. Dip the sponge into cold water and dampen the carpet to ensure that no particles remain and seal the fibers. You may have to do this process a few times, depending on the type of carpet and how large the stain is.
If you find yourself with a stain that simply will not lift, you may need to consider professional steam cleaning or a hired cleaning machine that you can easily use yourself.
How to Get Acrylic Paint out of Carpet After It Has Dried
We have now learned how to remove acrylic paint from the carpet when it is still wet, so what about when the paint has already dried? There are a number of ways to remove dry paint but bear in mind the type of carpet that you are trying to clean as some chemical solutions may damage the fibers. The following ways of dealing with dried paint can be used in conjunction with a steam cleaner. This will help to loosen the acrylic without damaging the carpet.
How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Carpets with Acetone or Alcohol
For this method, you can use either nail polish remover, otherwise known as acetone, or rubbing alcohol. These two solutions can be quite harsh so it is advised to use them sparingly and with caution to remove dry paint. Here is a list of all the necessary supplies for this method of removing dry paint from a carpet:
- A spray bottle
- Paper towel
- A toothbrush
- A syringe or eyedropper
- Rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover
- A craft knife
- Soapy or warm water
The Method
Using your craft knife, try to remove as much paint as possible from the carpet, these particles can then be vacuumed. Begin by testing a small section of carpet to see if there is any adverse reaction to the chemical products on the material. Take your syringe or dropper and put a little alcohol or acetone on the paint stain, by using a small amount the chemicals will not soak through the carpet.
Start around the edge of your stain to prevent the stain from bleeding and spreading outwards. Allow the carpet to rest for a while. Be careful not to wipe the chemicals into the carpet. It may appear as though the stain is worse or getting larger, do not worry, this is just the chemical lifting the paint to the top of the carpet.
Gently use the toothbrush to brush over the surface of the stain, the paint particles should start to come loose. Remove as much paint as you can with the toothbrush. Dab the stain with a paper towel to get rid of the rest of the paint. You may need to use a little more solution on the stain and then continue dabbing with the paper towel.
When you are finished, spray some soapy water onto the area of the carpet and pat dry. This will remove any chemical residue.
How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Carpet with Glycerin
Another effective method to remove get acrylic paint from carpet is to use glycerin. Using oils on your carpets can stain them, but using glycerin will not leave any marks as long as you blot the carpet when you are finished. For this method, you will need the following tools and substances:
- A spray bottle
- Glycerin
- An old cloth
- Soapy or warm water
- A craft knife
- Paper towel
The Method
Using your craft knife, try to scrape off as much dry paint as possible from the spill. You will now be able to see where to concentrate on applying glycerin. Using the cloth put the glycerin onto the stain and allow it to settle on the paint for a few moments.
The oil in the glycerin will adhere to the fibers and help to loosen the acrylic paint. You should then be able to blot the paint gently using paper towels, being careful not to rub the paint. Use a clean paper towel each time. The process may take some time but keep repeating it until you have removed all of the paint.
When you are finished you will need to clean the area with soapy water from the spray bottle or a steam cleaner, this will get rid of any remaining oil on the carpet.
Tips For How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Carpet
Now that we have explored ways to remove both wet and dried acrylic paints from the carpet, there are a few extra tips to keep in mind. These tips will help with easy and effective cleaning methods.
- Be very careful to blot the stain instead of rubbing it, as that will only increase the problem.
- In dealing with dried paint on carpets, scrape away bigger pieces first.
- Always work from the edges of the stain first and then to the middle, this will prevent the stain from bleeding outwards.
- Use lukewarm water to help to loosen the acrylic paint, but make sure the water is not boiling hot.
- When you have finished removing the paint, always clean the area with cold water to prevent damage to the fibers.
- Make sure there is plenty of ventilation when using rubbing alcohol or acetone, as it is not good to inhale these products.
- A steam cleaner is useful for removing stains and is gentle on the carpet.
- Test a small section of carpet prior to trying any chemicals on the spill, as the type of carpet may react negatively to these products.
- A good carpet cleaner will assist in removing bad stains.
Now you should have all the know-how when it comes to options of how to get acrylic paint out of carpet. Whether your stain is wet or dry, you can easily use these methods with many materials you will already have in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get Acrylic Paint Off Carpets Without Acetone?
You do not have to use acetone on acrylic spills on your carpet. You can use various other methods including soapy water, glycerin, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol.
Will Nail Polish Remover Ruin Carpets?
Nail polish remover contains acetone which can bleach your carpet slightly if it is left on the carpet. Make sure to test an area of the carpet first and clean the acetone off afterward with soapy water.
What Removes Stubborn Dried Acrylic Paint?
You can remove dried acrylic paint from carpets using chemicals like rubbing alcohol or acetone. You can also use glycerine. It is advisable to steam clean stubborn stains as well.
Larissa Meyer is a 32-year-old mother from Michigan and creative spirit since childhood. Her passion for painting and drawing has led her to an education as an illustrator and a career as a freelance graphic designer. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration and a degree in Graphic Design. Larissa is a talented artist who is able to master a wide range of styles and techniques to bring her artistic vision to life. Her greatest passion is currently fluid painting and epoxy resin art. Larissa’s love for art and her knowledge and experience in illustration make her the perfect Creative Director for our fluid-painting.com team. She is the creative head of our team and shares her passion and knowledge with our community through articles and tutorials.
As a mother of a 2-year-old daughter, Larissa also understands the importance of fostering creativity in early childhood. She uses her experience and knowledge to help other parents inspire their children and develop their artistic skills as well.
Learn more about Larissa Meyer and about us.
