However careful you are about covering up before a paint job, spills and splashes do happen, so we day there’s no point crying over spilled paint! Instead, try these clever tips to help sort those annoying splashes – whether it’s soft furnishings or clothing, or you need advice on how to get paint off laminate flooring.
How to get paint out of clothes
There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get rid of a paint stain completely but, if you act as quickly as you can, you’ll significantly up your chances. What you’ll need for the cleaning job depends on the paint in question, and whether it’s wet or dry. Wear gloves and open a window if you’re working with paint thinner.
Wet paint: Noticed a splash? Don’t panic! If the paint is water-based, water and mild detergent should do the trick.
- Scrape off as much paint as you can.
- Run the stain under warm water.
- Dab the stain with mild detergent and rub with an old toothbrush.
- Rinse and launder as usual.
For solvent-based paint, follow the steps above but blot the stain with paint thinner on a dry cloth before cleaning with water and detergent.
Dry paint:
Gently scrape off as much paint as you can.
- For solvent-based paint, soften with turpentine. (You can also use non-acetone nail polish remover but do a spot test first to make sure it won’t damage the fabric.) For emulsion, use methylated spirit to soften.
- Use an old toothbrush to work the stain.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Launder as usual.
NB: If you’re dealing with a dry-clean only garment, take it to a specialist.
How to get paint out of soft furnishings
If you’ve got a paint blob on a loose cover or cushion, remove the cover, take it to your sink and follow the steps above. If the damaged item can’t be removed, clean it in situ using a clean cloth, a bucket of warm, soapy water and paint thinner, as necessary. Blot the stain instead of rubbing to avoid spreading it further.
Top tip: It’s a good idea to tuck some clean cloths, or an old sheet, underneath the paint stain if you can to protect the surrounding fabric while you’re cleaning.
How to get paint out of carpet
Getting a paint stain out of any kind of carpet can be a fiddly job but the sooner you tackle the issue the better. Here are a few tips:
- A dollop of wet paint can be soaked up carefully with kitchen towels. Then you can follow the process above, blotting with a cloth rather than rubbing with a toothbrush to contain the stain.
- Use white cloths so there’s no risk of colour seeping into the carpet and change them regularly so you won’t make the problem worse.
- If the paint has dried, remove as much as you can with a scraper, working on the carpet fibres one at time. Vacuum thoroughly once you’ve finished and follow the steps above.
- Don’t apply detergent directly to your carpet; you’ll end up with a foamy mess! Dilute a little bit in warm water and use that instead. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry.
If you’re not successful in removing the stain or concerned you may damage your carpet, contact a specialist cleaner.
How to get paint off laminate flooring
Laminate is a fairly hardy material, so removing either fresh or dried-on paint should be doable if you follow these steps:
- Remove excess paint – with a kitchen towel for wet paint or with a cloth for dried-on paint. Don’t use a scraper, which could scratch your floor.
- For fresh, water-based paint stains, warm, soapy water should do the trick. For dried-on or oil-based stains, apply a little methylated spirit or nail varnish remover to help loosen the paint, and then wipe. Remember to test a small area first to make sure these won’t affect the surface.
- Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry.
NB: Before you get to work cleaning clothes, carpets or upholstery, always look at the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for guidance and try a test patch first.
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