We love when our kids show their creativity. Paint seems to be a favorite medium for the little ones, but there times when your carpets may pay the price! There is good news. You can encourage your kids to be creative and still preserve the life of your carpets. We’ve put together a few tips for cleaning up paint, crayon and more from your carpet here:
How To Treat Wet Paint on Carpet
Every stain is different. The method of removal will also be different depending on the nature of the stain. Surprisingly, paint stain can be fairly easy to remove from your carpets. So don’t stress, it is possible for your carpet to look as good as it did the day it was installed.

First thing is first, do not scrub the spill! Scrubbing pushes the stain deeper into the carpet making it more difficult to remove. Instead, soak the stain with a paper towel. Be patient and remove as much of the paint as possible this way.
Avoid blotting the spot. Like scrubbing, this will push the paint deeper into the carpets. Simply lay the paper towel and let it do the work. Repeat this process until most or very little moisture is left.
Now, let the paint dry over night. This may sound crazy, but its the most effective way to remove it completely. Just keep reading!
Removing Dry Paint From Carpet
Once the paint has dried overnight, try one of the following options.
- Once its dried, simply scrub vigorously with a clothe or soft brush . The dried paint should break off in pieces, allowing you to vacuum the remainder.
- Use a knife, razor blade or scissors to remove off the chunks of dried paint, but be extra careful not to cut the carpet.
- Use nail polish remover. Find a towel to gently dab it onto the dried paint. Avoid using too much of the nail polish remover. The adhesive on the backing of the carpet can be eaten away by the solvent. This process may take time, but eventually you’ll see the stain begin to fade. Once removed, go over the carpet with a damp rag and vacuum the area.
- Use WD-40. This powerful solvent does an excellent job at breaking down the dried paint. Spray the area with WD-40 then let it sit for about 25-30 minutes. Afterwards, dab the area with a clothe. Rinse the area with water, then quickly vacuum to remove the paint and excess water.
- After trying these methods, you should still have your carpets professionally cleaned to make sure the stain is entirely removed.
Contact Malama ‘Aina Chem-Dry for your professional carpet cleaning. We use revolutionary cleaning methods to provide you and your family a Drier. Cleaner. Healthier.® home.