Resolve Carpet Cleaner Doesn’t Remove Paint
Recently, some friends told me they successfully removed paint from their carpet using Resolve Carpet Cleaner. If you know anything about my painting skills, you’d know why I was interested. I tend to get as much paint on the wall as the floor. So I decided to put Resolve to the test.
Uses of Resolve Carpet Cleaner
You should know that Resolve doesn’t ever claim to be able to remove paint. The bottle indicates it can “remove your toughest and set in stains” but also warns that some stains may cause permanent discoloration. Here are stains that it should be able to remove:
- Red Wine
- Food Grease
- Pet Stains
- Coffee
- Motor Oil
- Ink
- and more
The Test
I acquired a piece of spare carpet and setup in the kitchen (on tile). Next, I took some dark red paint and made sure it was completely mixed. I removed the lid and set it, paint-side-down, on the carpet. I immediately treated the spot with Resolve Carpet Cleaner per the instructions.
Resolve Carpet Cleaner Directions
Spray area with Resolve. Wait five minutes. Blot or rub gently with a clean, damp, colorfast cloth or sponge. Rinse sponge or cloth and repeat as necessary.
The Results
In the end, I used quite a bit of Resolve in the “repeat as necessary” part of the instructions, and the stain didn’t come out. The stain became lighter but is still completely visible. Check out the pictures and see for yourself. Looks like I’ll still need to all my drop cloths.
What do you think? Have you found a cleaner that’ll take paint out of carpet?
Comments & Conversation on this Article...
7 Responses to Resolve Carpet Cleaner Doesn’t Remove Paint
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June 10th, 2009 9:50 am
I think the only thing is to NOT let it dry… and then flush it with warm/hot water and blot. Flush, blot, flush, blot… until the towel you are blotting with comes up clean. I think that is the best you can do!
June 10th, 2009 10:04 am
I’ve had great success with Goof-off. After the stain is removed, you have to rinse (with water), a lot to get the Goof_off off. I’m not sure what will happen if you don’t rinse.
Thanks for the great newsletter!
June 10th, 2009 1:25 pm
Did you try the Resolve Foam Carpet Cleaner? We had success with the foam when we actually spilled our blue paint onto the canvas sheet protecting the floor and the paint soaked through onto the cream-colored carpet. We have had more success with the Resolve foam over the regular Resolve spray.
June 10th, 2009 5:38 pm
@Jennifer and David, thanks for the tips. I’ll have to give em a try.
@Becky, I used the spray. I actually didn’t realize they made a foaming version. I actually used up all the Resolve we had left so maybe our next bottle will be the foam you recommend.
June 11th, 2009 2:07 am
Latex paint that is still wet is a removable stain. Actually it is referred to as a spot, the difference being that a spot is removable and a stain is permanent. Resolve however really will not do much more than probably take some color out of the carpet. Had you used a darker test piece you would have noticed color loss. Becky and David gave you good answers, I always flush with water and then blot it up. Goof off should work also, but you do have to rinse. The idea is to start with the mildest cleaners which in this case is water. If you do have to use something stronger such as Goof off you want to rinse because the reside from it will attract dirt down the road, Interesting test Ethan!
June 16th, 2009 11:04 am
I would like to share a story but have no picture for proof (although I do have 2 witnesses). About 5 yrs. ago I was living in a rental house and preparing to move so I thought I’d be a good tenant and put a fresh coat of paint on the living room walls. I had all of the furniture moved to the center of the room but no drop cloths (horrible mistake). I had a GALLON can of paint sitting near the edge of my desk. I was in a rather tight spot with the paint tray and roller. I turned around to pick up the gallon of paint to refill the tray and that’s when the nightmare began. Yes, I tipped over the entire gallon of paint and watched it slowly make its way across the carpeting. I literally ran to the basement for my steam cleaner. I extracted as much of the paint that I could then I began working the resolve cleaner in w/ a soft brush. I performed countless repeated cycles of Resolve, extraction w/ warm water, more resolve, more extraction……….. believe what you wish but I did later move out of that house w/ a full refund of my deposit and not a breathe of the story of paint in the carpet. It was GONE. I have also successfully removed road tar and many other difficult stains from carpets and clothing. The only thing I can share is this: 1)Make sure the substance/spot is completely dissolved, using intervals of repeated application, if neccesary. If you let something sit long enough, it will break down. 2) Make sure you completely remove all of the broken down substance and Resolve cleaner through extraction, washing machine cycle, etc….. If any of this is left it will eventually dry and appear as a lighter stain. …and last….I wished I could have been there to do the red paint challenge because I feel confident that I could have used Resolve and gotten that small stain (after a gallon, that looks very small to me!) out of that piece of carpeting.
I had a carpet in one of the rooms of my home and have had comments made about a guest thinking I got new carpet. My trick: Resolve liquid for steam machines. (Spring and Fall) With 4 children, I’d say that’s pretty darn good! Good Luck w/ your next “spot”. As for me, it will always be Resolve. (I have no special interest in this product/company except that the product works for me.)
July 13th, 2009 11:51 am
When I painted my house and realized after the drop cloth came up that spots had dried in…and even a few that were wet, I used a spray steam cleaner. Scucci, or something like that, made it. Got it from walmart initially to clean the sinks, but it took the paint out like a charm, as well as a sangria stain! I was quite impressed.