First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Blot wet paint now, because latex that has dried for 6 to 8 hours is very hard to remove.
- For oil-based paint you can't treat yet, wrap the mattress in plastic or airtight wrap.
- Lift thick paint gently with a rounded spoon, working from the edges toward the center.
- Leave thinners and solvents on the shelf, since a mattress can't take them.
Paint that gets on a mattress leaves less room for error than on most fabrics, because the liquid can run down into the layers. Latex that's still wet can be lifted, but once it dries the mark may stay for good. If the paint is oil-based, don't try to thin it out on the mattress, since the mattress can't take solvents.
When you try to remove paint from a mattress, blot with a clean white cloth instead of scrubbing. Bed liner paint and paint on foam both need restraint, so keep moisture low to stop it soaking into the core. If the mark is still there after a couple of gentle tries, stop and call a professional rather than adding more liquid.
Before you start
What mattress can take
Use with care4
- Water
- Oxygen bleach
- Enzyme cleaners
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
Avoid4
- Hot water
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
7 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Clean dry cloths or towelsTo blot liquid paint and dry the area.
- Rounded spoonTo lift thick paint without pushing it into the foam.
- Plastic wrap or airtight wrapTo keep oil-based paint from drying if you can't start right away. (opens Amazon)
- Mild liquid dish soapFor the light cleaning step in cold water. (opens Amazon)
- Cold waterWarm or hot water can set some stains, so cold is the safe choice.
- Baking sodaFor odor once the mattress is completely dry. (opens Amazon)
- VacuumTo pick up the baking soda. (opens Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Blot up the wet paint
Act right away, because latex paint that has dried for 6 to 8 hours is very hard to remove. Blot any liquid paint with a clean dry cloth. Gently scrape up thick paint with a rounded spoon, working from the edges toward the center so the spot doesn't spread.
Tip. If the paint is oil-based and you can't start right away, wrap the mattress in plastic or airtight wrap so the paint can't dry.
Step 2 of 6
Check the label and strip the bed
Read the mattress care label or the maker's website before you start. Strip off the bedding, then remove only the covers designed to come off. If the spot is damp, blot it with a dry towel.
Careful. Leave any cover that isn't designed to come off, because removing it can void the warranty.
Step 3 of 6
Lift the rest with mild soap
Mix a small amount of mild liquid dish soap into cold water, then dampen a clean cloth with it. Blot the spot lightly, switching to a clean part of the cloth as it picks up paint. Keep the cloth barely damp so the mattress stays dry underneath.
Tip. Rinse the cloth often in cold water so you're not spreading paint around.
Step 4 of 6
Let the mattress air dry fully
Let the area air dry completely before you remake the bed. Leftover moisture encourages mold and mildew, so aim to be fully dry within 24 to 48 hours. Starting in the morning gives it the rest of the day to dry.
Step 5 of 6
Freshen any lingering odor
Once the mattress is dry, sprinkle baking soda over the spot if an odor remains. Leave it for 20 minutes to an hour, or up to five hours for a strong smell. Then vacuum it up thoroughly.
Step 6 of 6
Check the spot once it's dry
Look at the spot in good light after the mattress has fully dried. If paint still shows, the stubborn-stain options are the next step, and results vary.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for paint on mattress
Look for an upholstery cleaner when a stain persists after drying, and pick one that's safe for mattress fabric. Check its label for how much liquid it uses and follow it closely.
Rug Doctor Spot & Upholstery Cleaner
BISSELL Little Green Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
Utopia Kitchen White Flour Sack Towels
Empty Spray Bottles 16oz/4Pack
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on mattress, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light before using any heat. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
Each blot should pick up a little more paint, and the cloth should come away cleaner than it started. Let the spot dry all the way through before you decide, since a damp mattress looks darker than the fabric around it. If the paint won't move under a light blot at all, it has set, and the set-in section is the next stop.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your mattress
Paint on a mattress
Water-based latex is the paint this method is built for, since it can be lifted with mild soap and cold water while it's wet. Do the soap step on the edges first, then work inward. Oil-based paint doesn't dissolve in water, so the soap step will do little for it; wrap the mattress to keep it from drying and bring in an upholstery cleaner.
If you're not sure which base it is, check the can before you start, because the label decides whether the soap step is worth trying.
Paint on a foam mattress
Foam takes up moisture and holds it, and memory foam can break down when it stays wet. Keep the cloth barely damp, and switch to a clean part of it often so you're not loading the foam with water.
Foam can hold moisture below the surface, so check the spot again the next morning before you remake the bed. Press a dry towel on the spot to pull up any extra moisture.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Once latex paint has dried, it may become permanent on fabric, so the aim shifts from full removal to reducing it. The longer paint sits, the harder it is to lift.
For a spot that's dry but still shows, the stubborn-stain options are a white vinegar solution and an upholstery cleaner. Apply the vinegar lightly to the spot only, and blot it up before it can soak in.
If paint still shows after that, an upholstery cleaner is the realistic next step. Expect it to lighten the mark rather than remove it completely.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on paint on mattress?
Plenty of home remedies are sold for other stains, so it helps to know which ones belong here. A mattress can take only mild soap and cold water, and solvents are not safe on it.
Works2Skip3Avoid1
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't scrub the paint in
Rubbing pushes wet paint deeper into the foam and spreads it past the edges. Blot and lift instead, keeping each pass light.
Don't reach for thinner or nail-polish remover
Thinners, solvents and nail-polish remover can damage a mattress, even when the paint is oil-based. For oil-based paint, wrap the mattress and bring in an upholstery cleaner instead.
Don't wait to see if it dries
Latex left for six to eight hours becomes very hard to remove, so start as soon as you notice the spill. Work in small, quick passes rather than waiting for a better moment.
Don't skip the care label
Some covers can't come off, and some makers treat taking one off as a warranty issue. Start by reading the care label or the maker's site, then decide how much moisture the fabric can handle.
When to call a professional
A dried patch that survives gentle cleaning is worth handing to an upholstery specialist, especially once the paint has worked into the layers. Give them the date of the spill, what kind of paint it was, and every product you tried, since residue can change what they're able to use.
Questions
Can paint come out of a mattress once it's dried?
Often not completely. Dried latex paint may be permanent on fabric, so the best results come from acting while it's still wet. Lift what you can with mild soap and cold water, then bring in an upholstery cleaner for what remains.
How can I tell if the paint is latex or oil-based?
Check the can, since the label names the base. Water-based latex can be lifted with mild soap and cold water while wet, but oil-based paint isn't water-soluble, so it needs a different approach.
Can I dry the spot with a hair dryer?
No. Heat can make a paint stain impossible to remove, so don't use a hair dryer, heater or other heat source to speed things up. Let the area air dry at room temperature instead, and keep it away from direct heat while it dries.
Will a carpet spot kit work on a mattress?
It's not a good idea. Spot removers can harm mattress fabric and the materials underneath, so stick to mild soap and cold water.
What if the mattress has mold as well as paint?
Mold can make the mattress itself unsafe to keep. Porous materials that have become moldy may have to be thrown away, so look closely before you decide to keep it.
How long should I wait before I sleep on the spot?
Wait until the spot is dry all the way through, and start in the morning so there's daylight left for it. Damp items need to be fully dry within 24 to 48 hours, or mold can start.
Can I wash the mattress cover to get the paint out?
Only if the cover is built to come off and go through a wash. Many aren't designed that way, and taking one off a cover that isn't designed for it can void the warranty, so read the care label first.
How do I get a lingering smell out once the paint is dry?
Dust baking soda over the dry spot, let it sit for as long as the smell needs, from about twenty minutes up to five hours, and then vacuum it off. A strong smell usually needs the longer wait, so give it time before you judge.
Paint on other materials
Other stains on mattress
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.