How to Remove Spilled Paint

Wet Paint Spills

• 1

  Scoop up excess paint with a gloved hand or a wooden stir stick. Scrape excess paint into the paint tray.

• 2

  Absorb remaining excess paint with paper towels. Place a trash can in the area and discard the paper towels to avoid paint spillage.

• 3

  Mix 1 cup of warm water with 1 squirt of dish detergent to remove water-based paint. Dip a cloth into the solution. For oil-based paint, dampen the cloth with paint thinner.

• 4

  Dab the stain with the solution. Start from the outside of the paint stain and work your way in. Massage the solution into the paint spill. Blot the area with paper towels. Repeat until the paint stain is removed. Do not saturate the area or the stain will spread.

• 5

  Wipe the area with a clean, wet cloth to remove any remaining residue. Allow to dry.

Dried Paint Spills

• 6

  Use a putty knife or credit card to scrape dried paint off hard surfaces. Use needle-nose pliers to pull off dried paint spills on a carpet.

• 7

  Use a steamer to soften dried paint. Use a handheld steamer or rent a wallpaper steamer. Apply steam to the dried paint for one minute.

• 8

  Use a putty knife to scrape loosened paint off of hard surfaces. Repeat Step 2 until dried paint is completely removed. For carpets, apply carpet cleaner to the area after the steam has loosened the dried paint.

• 9

  Apply paint thinner to a cloth, if dried paint has not been completely removed from hard surfaces or carpet. Blot dried paint with the damp cloth to soften the paint.

• 10

  Use a putty knife to remove any remaining paint on hard surfaces. For carpets, clean the area with carpet cleaner to remove the dried paint spill completely.