DIY painting mishaps are common. When you’re painting, you tend to get so into it that you may not even realize you’re spilling or dripping paint. What’s worse is that it ended up on your carpet of all surfaces. Before you go into a full-scale panic, rest assured that there are ways to resolve paint on your carpet.

The most important factor in getting paint out of your carpet is to determine what type of paint you’re using. Water-based paint, latex-based paint, and oil-based paint all have different components and require different methods of removal.

Water-Based Paints

For water-based paint stains on carpets while the paint is still wet, you want to start by blotting the area with a wet paper towel. Keep in mind that you should only be lightly pressing the paper towel into the stain and lifting it off, not scrubbing.

For water-based paint stains that have already dried, the best way to remove it is by mixing a solution of hot water and dish soap. Apply the solution on to the dried paint stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Once it has sat, it should be soft enough that you can start scraping it off with a sharp object such as a knife. Continue to add more of the water and dish soap solution as you progress with the removal process. You can also use a handheld steamer to help lift the dried paint more easily.

Latex-Based Paints

While the paint is still wet, you can blot it using a paper towel just like water-based stains. Simply apply a light pressure to the paper towel on the stain, and lift it off, repeating until the stain disappears. Make sure you are only blotting the surface as you don’t want to push the paint deeper into the carpet.

For set-in stains that have already dried, you’ll also want a solution of water and dish soap, but instead of hot water, use lukewarm water. Start working on the stain by working from the outside edges and moving inward. Leave the area to dry entirely once it has been removed.

Oil-Based Paints

Oil-based paints are one of the most difficult to remove from carpets. To remove an oil-based stain, you first need to soften the paint using steam. Once this is done, get a sewing needle and try to lift the paint that’s on the carpet. Be patient and keep lifting and steaming until you get it all out.

Getting paint stains out of carpets is not easy, but it can be done using the right methods for your situation and the type of paint you’re using. If you’re still unable to remove the paint stains from your carpet, it’s best to contact a professional carpet cleaning service as soon as possible to resolve the issue.