How to paint over Ugly old burber carpet

Tracy1961
by Tracy1961

My carpet is in all rooms. It's ugly, stained by food, animals, kids snot, it's been shampooed hundreds. Huspand is to cheap WILL NOT.

So I figured paint it . But then what kind of mess will I do. Cause mold to grow ? Any ideas plz ๐Ÿ˜Š


  16 answers
  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Jun 16, 2020

    Hi there, you can paint carpet, I've seen it done in lots of ways on area rugs etc. I would thing the same thing would be doable on a full room: https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/makeover-your-rugs-with-paint

    Because its so much surface though I wonder if dying it would be more durable and last longer? Have you considered removing the carpet instead and painting the plywood subfloor beneath it?

  • Gk Gk on Jun 16, 2020

    I am not sure that painting an entire house of carpeting is a good idea. I don't know that you would be able to get an even color throughout and perhaps you would still see the stains through the fabric paint. It is suggested that you use spray fabric paint. I am also not sure what would happen to the fabric paint if you had to clean the carpet. One thought I had would be to remove the carpet and paint and poly the subfloor underneath the carpet. You could also stencil! That would be fairly inexpensive compared to replacing carpet. You could also do a paper bag floor. I am not sure if I am being helpful! Just sharing my thoughts!

    https://www.wikihow.com/Paint-Your-Carpet

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/floors-ceilings/paper-bag-floor-37840621?expand_all_questions=1

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/beautiful-stenciled-floor-on-a-budget-28977792?expand_all_questions=1

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jun 16, 2020

    Hello Tracy,

    I have an idea you may wish to consider. Not so dramatic as paint the entire carpet, but could solve your problem or make your husband change his mind about replacing it!.

    Find sample pots of emulsion paint that matches or is darker than the stains. One colour or many? Proceed to cut out a shape from cardboard to make a Stencil, and stick it over the stain using Gaffer Tape. Any shape or many shapes can be used! Get ready to paint the stain away. If you would prefer you can do it freehand. When dry seal with a carpet sealer or use a brushed wax. Once finished and dry, you should have a unique carpet, that has no stains. If you like you can surround the designs with Sharpie pens and or make them into balloons etc. by adding strings.............. Have fun, what have you got to loose, Could be just the boost you have been looking for - cheap and quick too......


  • Nan W. Nan W. on Jun 16, 2020

    Tracy: why not cover with a couple of inexpensive area rugs... they would give a wholeness look to the room.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Jun 16, 2020

    the carpet should be cleaned good before painting it to get out stains that could show through the paint and remove odors, etc.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nCniAJk1JI

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSqScxSw2DU

  • Peggy L Burnette Peggy L Burnette on Jun 17, 2020

    Hi Tracy, sorry you are dealing with old burber carpet. I would check with an expert before attempting to paint all your carpet. Here is some information I hope will help. Have you thought of taking it up and redoing your floors? There are lots of ideas on hometalk. Good luck. your carpet/rug. The consensus seems to be that coarser, sturdier products such as sisal, jute, seagrass and berber are more receptive to paint than your standard plush carpet, which would become impossibly hard and matted if treated with paint.May 29, 2009


    Painting a Carpet | Apartment Therapy

    www.apartmenttherapy.com โ€บ painting-a-carp-85908



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    Yes, even carpets can get a makeover! Whether it's a larger area rug or a throw rug, you can paint carpet using a stencil and regular interior latex paint.


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  • 17335038 17335038 on Jun 17, 2020

    Painting wall-to-wall carpet is not a magic wand that will turn it into clean fresh carpet, thick carpet, or new carpet that is no longer worn out.


    You'll be painting over the worn out, uneven, and stained areas, and risking ending up with a cruddy mess that is uncomfortable on the feet.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jun 17, 2020

    What type of flooring is under the old unsightly carpet? Lift up a corner that is walked on the least in each room, and take a look.


    There may be flooring under the carpet that is good condition still. If so, is there anyone else nearby other than your husband who could help you rip out all the old carpet?

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Jun 17, 2020

    I think this is a bad idea. Get a rug.

  • Janice Janice on Jun 17, 2020

    Here's some inspiration. A big job to do wall to wall carpeting!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhTbWkqqPLA

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jun 20, 2020

    Even underlayment can be prettier than old, gross carpet. Especially if painted and an area rug added. I had old green carpet for years, and couldn't stand it for another minute. So, I cut it sections I could roll up, scrubbed the subfloor clean, and then painted the subfloor a pretty gray. An area rug added just made it better. Do a room at a time and it is much easier and more cost effective. Good luck and stay safe!

  • Homeroad Homeroad on Jun 22, 2020

    I would not try to paint carpet.

  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Jun 22, 2020

    Yes, to all of the above.


    Berber carpet is typically polyolefin, or polypropylene or sometimes acrylic.

    None of those will ever come clean, after โ€œhundreds of cleaningsโ€, the loop pile is crushed and the pad underneath is shot.


    The polyโ€™s are oliophillic (spelling?) and love that potato chip or popcorn that was dropped on the floor 3 years ago and will never let go of the oil.


    Even if youโ€™ve underlayment under the carpet, painting it with deck/porch paint and putting in area rugs (that can be shampooed and blasted with the garden hose on the driveway) will be a cleaner environment for your family.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Apr 17, 2023

    I would go with area rugs and lots of furniture covering noticeable stains.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jun 12, 2023

    Painting the carpet might make the top look better but It will still be gross underneath. Sometimes carpet reaches it's life span and needs to removed and replaced with something else that can be cleaned. What that material is depends on what you want and how much you are willing to pay.