How to Remove Paint Stains: Part 2
Sam Lutz • September 30, 2019
Remove Paint Stains from Upholstery
Water-Based Paint
Paint doesn’t discriminate when it comes to spill accidents, Last week, we talked about clothing and carpeting mishaps and how to remove stains. But other parts of your home could certainly be affected during an interior paint job. What about furniture and other flooring? Learn how to remove water-based and oil-based paints from your upholstery.
A few basic cleanup strategies can be your first line of defense in removing water-based paint from fabric-based furniture. If paint is still wet, use extra caution to avoid spreading the paint around. Wet or dry, lightly scrape away large chunks of paint ASAP before proceeding to in-depth cleanup.
From here, soap and water are your dream team. Mix bar soap, dish soap or detergent with water and gently blot the affected area to lift the stain, rotating your rag to avoid spreading. Be careful not to use too much water, as this will dilute and spread the paint. Finish cleaning up the water-based paint by blotting with a plain wet rag or sponge, applying a bit of acetone if the stain doesn’t completely lift.
Oil-Based Paint
Though difficult, oil-based paint isn’t necessarily impossible to remove from furniture upholstery. Wet paint requires a delicate touch, and you should take care to gently scrape away larger clumps of oil-based paint before it has a chance to dry.
Paint thinner is always a solid go-to for oil products. Follow the scraping process on your favorite armchair or sofa with a paint thinner application. Using a damp cloth, dab paint thinner onto the affected area, carefully working the stain and cloth to avoid making the situation worse. If the paint stain dries before you can clean up, skip the paint thinner and move straight to dry cleaning solvent.
Fabric Codes
Different fabrics interact with paint in various ways, making removal a little trickier. Home furniture is made from a wide variety of fabrics, so despite best practices, there isn’t a 100% one-size-fits-all stain removal solution. If the above steps aren’t ideal or you’ve tried them without success, check furniture tags and cushions for advice. Lettered tags provide cleaning instructions. For instance:
W: Use water-based detergent
S: Use dry cleaning solvent
WS: Use water-based or dry-cleaning solvent
Turn to Ace for the Best Paint Products
No one enjoys cleaning up DIY messes. Mistakes are easy enough to recover from, however. Remember these tips for your next paint project, and turn to Ace for the best paint products to get the job done. Stop by one of our South Hills locations
for the finest paint products.
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