What’s the best way to get dried latex paint off carpet? It was tracked from a painters foot so it is pressed into the carpet with a nice shoe pattern. :-/
What’s the best way to get dried latex paint off carpet? It was tracked from a painters foot so it is pressed into the carpet with a nice shoe pattern. :-/
Source control, ventilation, and filtration are the keys to healthy indoor air quality. Dehumidification is important too.
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Replies
Try "Goof Off"....hmmmm...sumpin' doesn't sound right there...hmmm.
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It depends on the size of YOUR shoe.
I would start with some water and mild detergent.
You will need to get it fairly wet and want to work it with a rag or towel to help break it up.
You need to test it to make sure that it does not affect the carpet, but Goof Off or similar will probably also work. But you will need to be on your hand and knees with a rag rubbing it, as you will with the water.
denatured alcohol will take it, I just dont know if Id want more than just a little on the carpet. I dont think it would pull the color, its just the odor. And short term flammability issues.
"Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think -- there are no little things" - Bruce Barton
I would do as the others suggest. then if you have any little stubburn freckles left that won't come off, try to take a scrap peice of carpet and get it color matched and touch up ( paint over) any residue spots left.
This is just an idea I have not done it yet but the idea came to me when I noticed my painters had some sparatic drips on my new carpet. I have lots of scraps and my carpet is new. If your carpet is old you may need to take a peice from the closet or something and the colour may be off a bit. anyway...just an idea.
Try Goof Off II. Comes in an orange spray bottle. Works great on latex paint, and doesn't have the carcinogenic odor of regular Goof Off.
Works for cleaning brushes, and wherever you need to get latex paint off of something.
Pete Duffy, Handyman
I've had great luck with water in a spray bottle and a quarter.
Scrape the quarter back and forth over the nap and it breaks up the paint, water lossens it. For tougher stain's I've used windex, but that was on dark carpet not sure how it would work/stain lighter colors.
If you use anything besides water test it in a small corner somewhere first to make sure it does not affect the carpet color.
I've never tried Goof-Off, but acetone (unoiled) may work too.
The other option if the carpet is quite new is to cut out the piece and replace it with a patch from a closet.
There is a product called "Oops", it is specifically made for removing dried latex paint. You will want to check the carpet in an inconspicuous area for color fastness. I've had good luck with it.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
If this is a cut pile type of carpet and IF the paint is just on the tips of the pile use a sharp (very sharp) pair of nail scissors and clip off the paint. This works great for small spills that have not soaked into the carpet.
Goof Off will disolve the backing of some carpets (its is a latex glue) and the carpet will fail. The label warns of this (but guess how I know it is true).
I've also been able to sand off the paint. I used a new one of those sanding sponges.
If the paint has soaked into the carpet you will need to soak the carpet and wet vac or blot to to remove the paint and you may not get it all. Use a non flamible product if you use a wet vac.
Best to replace the carpet and charge the painter that caused the damage. Or at the very least make him/her clean it to your satisfaction.
Let us know how it works out.
Good luck on what ever you try.
BILL
I've seen that one; a spot of paint every five feet in decreasing amounts. These are all good suggestions.
I just wanted to add that, depending on the type of carpet/pile, I would try the same way I get dried paint out of my hair -hot water and shampoo. Use two little fine wire brushes to massage the paint, and it won't stand a chance.
Better yet, if this works, wait till the work is all done and rent a "rug doctor" to do all of your carpets.
Sometimes, when it's a drop of paint (not a footprint), the best thing is to simply leave it to dry right on top and then cut it off later.
Ammonia also removes latex paint.