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Of all the stains that commonly find their way onto furniture upholstery, one of the most difficult ones to deal with is paint stains. Many homeowners assume that a paint stain on a piece of fabric is permanent but it is possible to remove paint stains yourself from the upholstery if you catch it quickly enough. The following tips discuss how to remove paint from fabric effectively to save you the trouble of replacing or reupholstering your furniture.
How to Remove Latex Paint from Furniture Upholstery
Latex paint is the easiest type of paint to remove from furniture upholstery because it is water based. The first thing you should do when you discover a latex paint stain is remove all the excess paint with a spoon or similar implement. Then dampen a sponge with water and use it on the spot to loosen up the paint stain. If the stain cannot be completely removed with water alone, these remedies may help:
- Apply WD-40 to the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with water.
- Apply hairspray to the area and let it sit for 15 minutes before rubbing it with a sponge.
- Blot the area using a cotton ball and nail polish remover before rinsing it with water.
Once you have removed the latex paint stain, blot the area with a mixture that is half water and half vinegar to remove the odor.
How to Remove Oil Based Paint from Furniture Upholstery
Oil based paint stains are much more difficult to remove because they require paint thinners to loosen the
Furniture Upholstery Cleaning
paint which can cause damage to the upholstery. When removing oil based paint from furniture, it is important to test your cleaning method on a small area of the upholstery to ensure that it does not damage the color. Once you have determined that the cleaning method is safe for your furniture, you can proceed with the following steps:
- Gather the necessary materials including paint thinner for the specific type of paint, water, cotton swabs, soft cloths, and mild soap or detergent. Make sure your work area is well-ventilated because of the paint thinner.
- If the paint is still wet, remove as much as possible by blotting it with a clean cloth.
- Moisten the tip of a clean cloth with the appropriate paint thinner and blot the stain. Repeat this step with clean portions of the cloth as it absorbs the paint until the paint is gone.
- If the stain is being difficult, moisten a cotton swab in the paint thinner and dab it on the stain. Then blot the area with a clean cloth and repeat this process until the paint is removed.
- Once the paint is removed, wash the entire area by blotting it with a clean cloth dampened with a mixture of water and a mild soap or detergent. Repeat this process until the paint thinner is removed.
- After you have removed the paint and the paint thinner, blot the entire area with clean water and blot dry it with a towel.
Some stains you cannot remove by yourself, but you can always call professionals for upholstery cleaning services.
It may be possible to remove surface oil based paint stains with a razor blade but this method also risks harming the upholstery. If you are not comfortable removing paint from furniture yourself, you can contact a professional that provides upholstery cleaning services.
If you discover a paint stain on your furniture, do not panic. You can remove latex paint and oil based paint stains with these methods. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully and always exercise the right caution when working with paint thinner such as proper ventilation, using rubber gloves, and properly disposing of materials with paint thinner on them. For stains that you cannot remove yourself using household remedies, contact a professional for upholstery cleaning services.
