How to Get Paint Out of a Carpet (Latex or Oil-Based)

Knowing how to get paint out of a carpet is essential should you spill some during a home improvement project. Many paint stains—oil and water-based (latex)—can be removed from carpet fibers with a bit of patience and a few cleaning supplies. Not sure where to start? Follow our paint removal guide so your carpets or area rugs look brand new.

Considerations Before You Get Started

The specific stain removal steps and supplies needed depend on the type of paint used and whether the paint is wet or dry. Water-based paints are easier to remove from carpets than oil-based paints. If the latex or oil paint spill is large, it may be impossible to remove all traces from the carpet.

Try calling a professional carpet cleaner to help if cleaning with the methods described doesn't work. If all else fails, consider cutting out the ruined area of the carpet and piecing it with remnants, or cover the stain with an area rug until the carpet can be replaced.

How to Get Fresh Paint Out of Carpet With a Paper Towel

Ideally, you'll catch paint stains while they're fresh, which are the easiest to remove. For this method, always use a white rag or a clean paper towel to clean the paint spilled on your carpet. Colored rags can bleed color onto your carpet, especially when wet. Follow these steps for latex and other water-based paints—like finger paints and watercolors.

What You'll Need

• Dull knife or old credit card
• Paper towels or white cleaning rags

Step 1: Lift the Wet Paint

Use the dull edge of a knife or the edge of an old credit card to lift away the wet paint. Never rub the stain because that will push the paint deeper into the carpet fibers.

Step 2: Blot the Paint

• Use a wet paper towel or white rag to blot away the paint remaining on the carpet surface.
• As the paint transfers from the carpet onto the rag, move to a clean area of the towel.
• Don't stop blotting until all of the paint is gone.

Step 3: Dry the Spot

Dry the clean spot using a fresh cloth or towel. Then, let the carpet air-dry thoroughly.

How to Get Dried Paint Out of Carpet With Dish Soap

If you didn't catch the paint stains when still fresh and they've now dried, try the following method. Again, this works for water-based paints, not oil-based ones.

What You'll Need

• Small bowl
• Dishwashing soap
• Soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush
• Dull knife
• Paper towels or white cleaning rags
• Handheld clothes steamer (optional)
• Vacuum

Step 1: Reconstitute Dry Paint

• Mix a solution of hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a small bowl.
• Dip a soft-bristled brush—an old toothbrush works great—in the solution and saturate the dried paint stain.
• Let it sit for about five minutes to soften the paint.

Step 2: Scrape and Clean the Paint

• Once the paint begins to soften, use a dull knife to gently scrape the paint from the carpet fibers.
• Blot the stain with a wet paper towel or cloth as the paint releases.
• Apply more of the hot soapy solution with the brush as needed. Keep working until the paint is gone.
• Remember, no rubbing or the paint may smear.

Step 3: Add Heat (Optional)

If the hot soapy solution doesn't soften the paint, blast it with steam from a handheld clothes steamer. Do not place the steamer nozzle or a hot iron directly on the carpet because that can melt the fibers. Continue slowly scraping and blotting (follow step two above) until the paint is gone.

Step 4: Dry and Vacuum

Once the paint is removed, allow the carpet to air-dry. Then, vacuum the spot well to lift the carpet fibers and capture any loose paint particles that remain.

How to Remove Oil-Based Paint Stains From Carpet With Solvent

Oil-based paint is more difficult to remove from carpets than water-based paint. This strategy will help remove tricky oil-based paint stains. Follow the same steps—whether the stain is fresh or dried.

What You'll Need

• Dull knife
• Handheld clothes steamer
• Paper clip
• Paper towels
• Vacuum
• Paint solvent (mineral spirits, paint thinner, or turpentine)
• White cotton rags
• Dishwashing soap
• Soft-bristled brush

Step 1: Lift and Blot Wet Paint

• If the paint is wet, lift it away from the carpet with a dull knife. You can use a blast of steam from a clothes steamer to keep the paint moist as you lift it.
• Blot the area with a wet paper towel.
• Straighten a paperclip and use it to separate carpet fibers as you continue blotting with clean paper towels.

Step 2: Scrape and Blot Dry Paint

If the oil paint is dry, use a dull knife to gently scrape away as much of the paint as you can from the fibers. Use a wet paper towel or vacuum to pick up the dry paint flakes.

Step 3: Treat With Solvent

• After lifting or scraping the paint, read the fine print on the paint label and use the recommended solvent (mineral spirits, paint thinner, turpentine). If there isn't one indicated, opt for turpentine.
• Be sure to test the solvent on an inconspicuous area of the carpet to ensure it doesn't cause a color change.
• Place a dab of the solvent on a white cotton rag and blot the stained area. (Remember, never rub.)
• Work slowly and move to a clean spot of the rag as the color is transferred from the carpet to the cloth.

Step 4: Clean and Rinse

• Once you have removed as much of the paint as possible, mix a solution of hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
• Dip a soft-bristled brush in the solution and gently scrub the area where the paint solvent was used.
• Use a clean towel dipped in water to "rinse" the area. 
• Then, blot away the excess water with dry paper towels.

Step 5: Dry and Vacuum

Allow the carpet to air-dry thoroughly. Then, vacuum to restore the pile.

How to Prevent Paint Stains

Before starting your painting project, take a few preventative measures to keep your precious carpet paint-free.

Prep Your Painting Area

Protect your carpet from paint spills and stains by prepping the area where you'll be painting. Spread out old plastic shower liners or curtains to fully cover the carpet. You can also use old (thick) sheets; the thicker, the better, since paint can soak through the material and touch the carpet.

Pour Paint Onto a Tray

Even the thought of accidentally tipping over the paint can is catastrophic. For this reason, don't skip on pouring your paint into a tray before starting your project. The tray allows you to better control the amount of paint on your brush or roller, preventing dripping and unnecessary spills. It also provides a secure place to set down your painting utensils when you're not using them. Having a paint can on the ground just invites disaster: Paint trays are designed so they won't be tipped over as easily.

Keep Clean Up Tools in Reach

If you spill a little (or a lot of) paint, the most important thing to do is get it up as quickly as possible. Keep a few clean white rags or a paper towel roll and a credit card or knife nearby so you are prepared in case a spill happens. By acting quickly, you'll be able to more effectively blot the paint up before it sets into the carpet.