If you have decided to improve your home by adding a lick of fresh paint to the interior walls, you will be well aware of the risk of spilling paint on your carpet. No matter how careful you are, it is very easy for drops of paint to drip onto your carpets. Understanding the factors which can affect how easy it is to remove paint from your carpet can help you to tackle the problem before it develops into a serious issue. Read on to discover everything you need to know about two factors that can impact your ability to remove paint from a carpet.

The Speed at Which You React

Speed is perhaps the key factor which can affect how successfully you can remove a paint spill from your carpet. It is vital that you act quickly to deal with any spillage as soon as you become aware of it. The first thing you need to do is to blot up any paint as soon as possible, taking care not to rub any paint further into the carpet. Once you have done this, you can get to work tackling the stain. The longer you leave wet paint on a carpet, the harder it will be to deal with the stain.

The Type of Paint

Once you have blotted up as much excess paint as you can, your next course of action will be determined by the type of paint which has been spilt. Below is a guide to how you should respond to different types of paint.

Acrylic Paint

The best way of removing acrylic paint is to add a little glycerin to the stain. The glycerin will help to break down the acrylic paint, making it easier to remove by blotting. You can also add a little bit of rubbing alcohol and water to flush out any remaining paint. You should then dab at the area with a sponge to remove the last bits of paint.

Oil Paint

Oil paints can cause serious damage to a carpet, so it is important that you act fast. Once you have removed excess paint, you should pour a little bit of turpentine onto the stain. The turpentine will help to break down the paint so you can remove it by blotting it with a paper towel.

Water-based paint

When dealing with water-based paints, you should avoid adding additional water to the stain, as doing so can cause the stain to spread further. Instead, you need to use a small amount of white vinegar, which will make it easier to remove the paint via blotting.

If you need help with carpet cleaning, contact local carpet cleaners today.