[Wilverine]

I spilled matt emulsion on the carpet in our bedroom by mistake. Can it be washed out?

Before you ask, yes - I did have sheets down to protect from just such a spillage. It happened whilst I was cleaning up; those square plastic paint tubs look sealed even when they aren't.

The paint is blue & the carpet is cream. I don't want to spend too much, as we're planning to replace it next year anyway; it is as ugly as sin without the paint splat.

Would a carpet cleaner sort it without suffering permanent damage?

[Neil Williams]

Would a carpet cleaner sort it without suffering permanent damage?

Only if he got there within an hour of the accident, because even if he now managed to get the paint part of it out (easy enough as water based) the DYE in the paint will have effected the carpet fibres.
Whilst it can't be ruled out that it is possible to get the dye out, as you don't want to spend much then I suggest you'll have to live with it, because dye removal comes at a price above just cleaning.

[Kinver_Clean]

While emulsion paint is water soluble while it is wet, once it dries it polymerises to a plastic like substance and becomes insoluble. Solvents do not have very much effect either.

Have you got a large rug?

[Colin Day]

I found out purely by accident that Prochem rust remover and a chewing gum scraper works.... It had dried and I told the woman there was no chance I would get it out of the carpet. I was removing rust and chewing gum and realised it was taking the paint off too.. She was one happy customer...

Try it, what's the worst that could happen...?

[Mike Halliday]

this was 6hrs  old

[Mike Halliday]

finished

[Jim_77]

Wilverine... I take it you're not a carpet cleaner, but a member of the public who's come here for advice?

So you probably don't have a machine available, but if you have access to borrow someone's vax or bissel cleaner then I'd recommend just flushing the paint through with hot water, to get as much out as possible.

then mix up up a solution of washing detergent (maybe 2 tablespoons in a litre) and sponge it on to the area.  Let it soak in for 10 minutes and then use something to gently agitate the area, like a soft brush.  Then use the machine to flush it out.  Go over it with plenty of wet strokes first, and then go over it realllllllly slowly for ages just with the suction, no water, to get as much moisture out as possible.

You'll probably reduce the intensity of the paint stain but not get it out completely, but if you're changing the carpet soon I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

[peter maybury]

dried emulsions paint come out very easily with methalated spirits. It is some thing that I learn on my first trainingcourse 20 odd years ago.. I cannot believe that such a commonly encountered thing such as emulsion paint is found to be such a problem by professionals. I have had insurance companies use me on many occasions where people have vandalised by owners looking to get replacements........
It is easily remidied even a full tin can be removed with a little bit of patience.
Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com