How to get paint out of carpet

Decorating and forgot to lay down your drop cloth? It happens. Luckily, there are steps you can take to hopefully remove the paint from your carpet, and if not, there are professionals who can help you.

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Follow these steps - as quickly as you can- to improve your chances of removing the stain and restoring your carpet to its previous condition.

How to remove paint from carpet

Here's a list of supplies you'll need to complete the job:

Cloths and paper towels
Mild washing up liquid
Warm water
Rubbing alcohol
Paint scraper
Clean, soft brush

Step 1. Blot up excess paint

If the paint is still wet, blot up as much of it as you can with paper towels or cloths, being careful not to spread the paint around further.

Step 2. Apply cleaning solution

Prepare your solution of warm water and soap and dampen a clean cloth in it. Blot the stained area gently, but don't scrub, as this can make matters worse.

Keep blotting the area until no more paint transfers to the cloth.

Step 3. Apply rubbing alcohol

If the paint has already dried, apply some rubbing alcohol to the area, starting from the outer edges and moving inwards. This should loosen some of the paint and help you transfer it to your cloth. Continue until no more paint transfers to your cloth.

Step 4. Repeat as needed

Repeat the steps a few times if the paint still isn't completely removed.

Step 5. Rinse and dry

Rinse the area with warm water to remove any remaining soap or rubbing alcohol and allow it to dry.

Step 6. Brush the carpet

Restore the carpet to its original texture by brushing it with a clean brush or toothbrush.

Step 7. Seek professional help

If you've followed these steps and the paint is still visible, enter your postcode into the search box below to find a professional carpet cleaning service near you.

You can also check out this other guide on how to remove stubborn stains from carpets for more tips and tricks.

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