How To Get Paint Out Of Clothes

It is not uncommon to accidentally put paint on your clothes while you are painting, as it is a messy job. Mostly, kids paint their clothes while painting or drawing, and adults sometimes spill paint on their clothes while painting the walls or other objects in their houses. The first thing they do is to start worrying that the paint cannot be removed and the dress will be ruined forever. But that is not the case- firstly, do not panic and try to act immediately because once the paint gets dried up, it may not get removed from the cloth. 

Ways to Remove Different Types of Paint from Clothes

Different types of paint require different treatments to get them removed from your clothes. Here is how to do that:

Oil-based Paint

To remove oil-based paint, firstly, scrap off the excess paint. Then, blot the stained area with a cloth as much as possible. Now, put some paper towels under that area and drop some turpentine. Continue to dab unless no more paint remains. Then, wash the cloth with liquid dishwasher soap and let it soak overnight. Wash with warm water and let it dry. If the stain remains, use a commercial stain remover.

Water-based or Latex Paint

Water-based paints are comparatively easy to remove. Firstly, scrap off the excess paint as much as possible and flush the stained area under running water. Mix equal amounts of warm water and liquid dish soap, and dab the stain with that solution using a sponge. Wash and repeat the same unless no paint remains. If the paint is still there, blot the area with acetone. Finally, rinse the cloth and let it dry to wear again.

Acrylic Paint

Put the stained area under warm water and then dip it in a solution of dishwasher soap. Repeat the process until no paint remains. Lastly, wash it with plain water and let it dry. You are all set to wear your cloth again. 

Fabric Paint

Scrap the excess paint and wash the area with cold water using any detergent. This itself works well for fabric paints. But if the paint remains, drop some denatured alcohol on the stain if it is small, or dip the cloth in the alcohol if the stain is large enough. Let it soak for some time, then dab the stain using a soft cloth. Repeat the process until all the paint gets removed. Lastly, wash off in cold water.

Various Other Methods to Remove Paint from Clothes

If the above-mentioned ways do not work, one of the following methods will surely do the job:

Rubbing alcohol. Wet the stained area with some water. Then apply some rubbing alcohol using some cotton or a toothbrush. Scrub and wash with water- continue until the paint is gone. This method works best for acrylic and water-based paints.

Hairspray. Spray aerosol hairspray on the paint stain unless it is fully covered. Then, use a toothbrush to scrub the area. Wash the cloth in warm water using detergent and stain remover, and you are done.

Nail polish remover. Put some acetone nail polish remover on the paint using a cotton ball and blot until the paint is gone. Rinse in water and let it dry to wear the garment again. Ensure the cloth fabric does not have acetate as it will damage the cloth.

Hand sanitizer. Put a generous amount of hand sanitizer on the paint area and let it soak for a few minutes. Then, scrub the area using a toothbrush and wash off the cloth using a liquid detergent.

Salt, ammonia, and vinegar. Firstly, take two tablespoons of vinegar, one tablespoon of salt, and two tablespoons of ammonia. Mix them well and use a toothbrush to scrub the paint using the mixture if the stain is small. If it is large, take the same mixture in a bowl, soak the cloth inside it overnight, and then scrub with a toothbrush.

Duct tape. Scarp off the excess paint using a butter knife. Take a piece of duct tape, press it strongly on the paint and pull it up. This will loosen the paint. Continue unless all the paint gets accumulated on the sticky side of the tape. Then wash off the cloth as usual.

Essential oil. Lavender essential oil is very effective on latex paints. Apply five to six drops of the oil on the stain and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. Then, using the back side of a spoon, scrape the excess. Repeat the process until all the paint is removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are paint stains permanent on clothes?

No, paint stains are not permanent on clothes unless you act the right way. Do not panic- use the most appropriate method to remove the paint depending on the paint type and cloth material.

Can dried paint be removed?

Yes, you can remove dried paint using denatured alcohol after scraping off the paint as much as you can. You can also use vegetable oil to soften the dried paint first. 

Does baking soda remove paint stains?

Sprinkle baking soda on the paint and let it sit for a few minutes. Then scrap it off using a toothbrush. This method may work on denim clothes, but we suggest the other methods mentioned in the article because baking soda is not very effective.