How to Get Acrylic Paint off Carpet

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: September 15, 2021 References

Deal with the stain as soon as possible – preferably, when it’s still fresh and wet. The stain will be more difficult, if not impossible to lift once dried. However, almost all stains can be removed if they are cleaned within several days. Start with the mildest method first, and only move on to harsher techniques if necessary. These techniques require the use of a steam vacuum or wet/dry vacuum. If you don’t have one, you can purchase or rent one.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Removing Excess Paint

1
Scrape up excess fresh paint. Scrape the paint gently with a spoon, dull knife, or paint scraper. Wipe the spoon or knife with a rag in between scrapes if you’re dealing with a large spill. ^{[1]
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2
Remove excess dried paint. Brush the stain with a soft brush, such as a toothbrush. Use a vacuum attachment or dustpan to collect the pieces of dried paint. Loosen big chunks of paint carefully with needle-nose pliers.^{[2]
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- Make sure you’re brushing at the top of the carpet fibers, horizontally, not driving paint downwards.
- If you’re having trouble breaking up a dry stain, use a putty knife and a citrus cleaner such as Goo Gone.^{[3]
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- Spray a lubricant like WD-40 on dried paint and let it sit for 20-25 minutes. This helps soften the paint so you can remove it easier.
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3
Blot any wet paint. Use gentle blotting motions with dry paper towels or an absorbent cloth. Tap around the edges of the stain first. Use a clean part of your cloth so you don’t accidentally transfer the paint back onto the carpet. Continue blotting until you’ve absorbed as much of the wet paint as you can.^{[4]
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- Starting at the outside edges of the stain will help you to contain the spill.
- Make sure you are blotting and not rubbing in the paint. You don’t want to push it deeper into the fibers of the carpet.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Soapy Water and Vinegar

1
Make a soap solution. Mix in one teaspoon of liquid soap for every one cup of warm water. Use a bucket for the solution, or fill a spray bottle. Choose a mild soap such as Dawn.^{[5]
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Apply the solution to the stain. Spray the solution onto the stain. Alternately, soak a sponge in the solution and dab it onto the stain. Work the solution into the carpeting with a brush.^{[6]
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Research source} Blot the area with an absorbent cloth. Lift the solution with a steam vacuum attachment.^{[7]
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- Use a brush that is stiff, but not so harsh that it can damage the carpet fibers.
- Repeat this step until you’ve lifted as much of the stain as you can.
3
Blot the stain with a vinegar solution. Mix one part white vinegar for every ten parts water. Moisten a sponge in the solution and dab the carpet with the sponge. Pat an absorbent towel on the area. Then use a sponge with cold water only on the area. Blot dry with a cloth.^{[8]
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- Test this on an inconspicuous area of carpeting first. Some carpet materials and dyes may react to acetic acid.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Blotting with Alcohol and Glycerin

1
Apply rubbing alcohol. Pour some rubbing alcohol onto a dry cloth or paper towel. Blot the stain with the cloth. Use a steam vacuum attachment to clean the area.^{[9]
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Use glycerin. Apply glycerin to dry paper towels. Blot the stain until paint stops coming up.^{[10]
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Research source} Let glycerin sit on the area for a few hours.^{[11]
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3
Follow up with soap or acetone. Blot the area well with a gentle solution of liquid soap.^{[12]
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Research source} Alternately, blot the area with acetone and follow up with steam vacuuming.^{[13]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Acetone and Spot Cleaner

1
Test an area of the carpet. Pour a little bit of acetone or nail polish remover on it. Spray spot cleaner, such as 409, next to that. Let it sit for six minutes. Clean the area with a steam vacuum attachment. See if the acetone or spot cleaner caused any damage to the carpeting.^{[14]
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- Use a carpet sample or an extra piece of your carpeting, if you have it. Otherwise, find a concealed area of carpeting, such as inside of a closet.
- Some carpet fibers and dyes may be sensitive to chemical cleaners.
2
Lift the paint with acetone. Dampen a cloth with acetone, or use an eyedropper to apply acetone directly onto the stain.^{[15]
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Research source} Blot the stain with the cloth. Move to a clean area of the cloth when it becomes soiled with paint.^{[16]
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- This process may make the stain appear worse before it gets better. Don’t worry! The acetone is lifting the paint to the surface of the carpeting for removal.
- Wear gloves and a mask when using acetone. Ensure proper ventilation by opening windows and running a fan if needed.
- Don’t pour acetone directly from its container onto the carpeting, or it’ll leak down into the padding.
3
Work in spot remover with a toothbrush. Spray the stain with a spot remover such as 409 cleaner. Use a toothbrush in side-to-side and circular motions to work up a cleansing foam in the carpeting. Allow the foam to sit for five to six minutes.^{[17]
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4
Clean the area with a steam vacuum. Prepare the water tank of your steam vacuum according to the appliance’s instructions. Run the vacuum and use an attachment. Cleanse the portion of the carpet with the stain and stain remover foam.^{[18]
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- Repeat this entire method until you achieve satisfactory results.^{[19]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

Can I use any type of vinegar to get acrylic paint off of a carpet?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Although you can use a variety of different vinegars for cleaning, white vinegar is the most acidic, making it a more potent cleaner. They also sell white vinegar specifically made for cleaning, which is a bit stronger than food grade white vinegar. Since acrylic paint is rather strong, I would recommend using a white vinegar to tackle your stain versus other vinegar. If you have cleaning vinegar, you should use that.
Question

How do you get dried acrylic paint from a carpet that I left there for two weeks?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Although dried on acrylic paint is harder to remove than a fresh spill, you still want to work on it sooner rather than later. Start by scraping away as much of the dried paint as possible, with a razor blade or paint scraper. You can then try spraying WD-40 on it to loosen the paint. Let it sit for 20 minutes then use your scraper or razor blade again to attempt to work out the dried paint.
Question

Is red cadmium light acrylic paint permanent?

Community Answer

Mostly yes, but try the rubbing alcohol/cotton ball blotting to remove most of it.

Warnings

Removing paint from carpeting is difficult and time-consuming. If you have a very large spill, or you have expensive carpeting that you’re worried about, you may want to contact a professional carpet cleaning service instead.^{[20]
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