Painting can be messy, and more often than not, our clothes bear the brunt of it. If you get paint on your favorite T-shirt or find an old paint stain on your pants, don’t panic. Getting paint out of clothes is fairly simple, and we will guide you through the process with a few tried-and-true methods.
How to Remove Water-Based Paint
Water-based (latex) paint stains are the most common. They are easier to remove, as they contain a water-based formula. You can make them disappear even after the paint has dried. But that doesn’t mean you should let the paint dry. The sooner you act, the better.
If you’re unsure what type of paint is on your clothes:
- Check the product label for the paint type.
- Apply rubbing alcohol to a microfiber cloth and dab it lightly on the paint stain.
- Dip a cotton ball in acetone and apply it to the painted area. If the paint transfers, it’s probably water-based.
- Try to remember how you cleaned your paint brush and paint roller. If you used water and soap, the paint is likely water-based. If you used a solvent like mineral spirit or thinner, it’s probably oil-based paint.
Wet Water-Based Paint
Tools Needed:
- Spoon, dull knife, or card
- Paper towel
- Old rag
- Dishwashing soap
- Sponge or toothbrush
Steps:
- Put an old rag inside the garment to prevent the paint from bleeding through the fabric.
- Scrape off excess paint with a spoon, dull knife, or card. Be careful not to spread it.
- Use a wet paper towel to blot the remaining paint.
- Turn the item inside out and rinse with warm running water.
- Rub the fabric together to loosen the paint stain.
- Apply dishwashing soap and a few drops of water to the stain. Lather it with a sponge or toothbrush.
- Repeat the steps till you entirely get rid of the paint.
- Once you remove the paint stain, rinse and wash the garment as usual.
Dry Water-Based Paint
Tools Needed:
- Microfiber cloth
- Old rag
- Rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, or commercial paint remover
Steps:
- Place an old rag between the clothing to prevent the paint stain from seeping to the other side.
- Apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol to a microfiber cloth. A nail polish remover or commercial paint remover also works fine.
- Blot the stained area with a microfiber cloth for a minute or more till the paint disappears or fades. Remember to test the rubbing alcohol on a hidden spot to ensure it doesn’t damage the fabric or fade the color.
- Wash the spot with water.
- Repeat the steps to get rid of the remaining paint stain.
- Rinse and wash the clothes as usual once the paint stain disappears.
Note: You can follow the same procedure to remove acrylic paint because it primarily contains water-based formula.
How to Remove Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint stains can be difficult to remove, especially if the paint has dried. However, the good news is that oil paint takes about eight hours to dry, so you have enough time to act.
Wet Oil-Based Paint
Tools Needed:
- Spoon or dull knife
- Old rag
- Microfiber cloth
- Turpentine oil, paint thinner, or commercial stain remover
- Dishwashing soap
Steps:
- Put an old rag inside the clothing to keep the paint from seeping to the other side.
- Scoop up excess paint with a spoon or dull knife. Work from the outer edge to the center so you don’t spread the paint.
- Blot as much paint as possible with a dry microfiber cloth.
- Rinse the stained area with warm water.
- Apply a few drops of turpentine oil to a microfiber cloth and blot the stain from the other side. Remember to test the solution in an inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t fade the color or damage the fabric. A paint thinner or commercial stain remover will also do the job.
- Repeat the steps till you get rid of the paint. If the paint stain is still there, soak the clothing in a dish soap solution overnight.
- Wash the clothing normally in your washing machine.
Note: Turpentine oil and paint thinner release strong fumes. So, ventilate the room properly to avoid breathing in harsh chemicals. We also recommend you wear gloves as they may cause skin irritation.
Dry Oil-Based Paint
Tools Needed:
- Old rag
- Turpentine oil or paint thinner
- Microfiber cloth
Steps:
- Place an old rag inside the clothing to prevent the paint from seeping to the other side.
- Apply a few drops of turpentine oil or paint thinner to a microfiber cloth and blot the stain from the opposite side.
- Blot as much paint as possible.
- Rinse the stained area with warm water.
- Blot the spot again with a microfiber cloth till the paint fades.
- Rinse and wash the clothing.
Dry oil-based paint stains are a pain to remove. If you tried treating them and had no luck, give it to your local laundry care. They may be able to remove the stain. If they can’t, you have to live with the stained garment.
How to Remove Paint from Sensitive Fabrics
Delicate fabrics like silk, wool, acetate, and velvet have a “Dry Clean Only” mark on the care table, which means you should only dry clean and not wash them. You shouldn’t wear a sensitive fabric when painting, but if you did and got some paint on it, follow these steps to remove it. The techniques work for both water- and oil-based paints.
Tools Needed:
- Spoon, dull knife, or card
- Two microfiber cloth
- Dry cleaning solution
- Dry spotter (solvent powder)
- Toothbrush
Steps:
- Use a spoon, dull knife, or card to scrape off excess paint. If the paint has dried, gently scrape off the hardened piece with a dull knife.
- Apply a few drops of dry cleaning solution to the microfiber cloth and gently blot the paint stain. Work your way from the outer edge to the center to avoid spreading the paint.
- Use paper towels or a dry side of the microfiber cloth to absorb the stain.
- Apply dry spotter (solvent powder) to a microfiber cloth and blot the paint stain.
- Gently brush the stain with a toothbrush until it fades.
- Repeat the steps until the paint disappears.
Note: Dry cleaning solution and dry spotter emit strong fumes and may cause skin irritation. So, ventilate the room properly and wear gloves when using it.
Removing paint stains from delicate clothes yourself can be difficult. So, it’s best to give them to your local dry cleaner.
FAQs
Can I use cold water to remove paint stains?
There is no definitive answer as to whether you should use warm or cold water to remove paint stains. However, we recommend using hot water as it effectively breaks down and loosens the paint.
Does the paint stain process damage clothes?
No. However, if you want to use rubbing alcohol, turpentine oil, or paint thinner, test it on an inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t fade the cloth.
Can I use bleach to remove paint stains?
You can use bleach to remove paint stains from a white cloth, but not on others, as it can fade the color. Even for white clothes, check the care label and use bleach only if it’s safe for the fabric.
In Summary (and When to Hire a Pro)
Remove paint stains from the cloth as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming a permanent problem. Before using harsh chemicals, test them on an inconspicuous spot to ensure they don’t damage the fabric.
Painting is a messy and time-consuming task. If you need help painting your home, get in touch with Paint Gnome. We connect you with the best painting pros in your area who can help you with everything related to painting. You also don’t have to deal with dried paint on your favorite pair of jeans.
Main Image Credit: czarny_bez / Canva Pro / License
