How to get paint out of clothes? Proven tips

Accidents happen, and a stray splash of paint on your favorite shirt or pants can feel like a disaster. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast, an artist, or just caught in the crossfire of a home improvement project, knowing how to remove paint from clothes can save your garments from the trash bin. The key to success often lies in acting quickly and using the right technique for the specific type of paint. Asubra Cleaning shares proven tips to help you get paint out of your clothes safely and effectively.

Assess the paint type (latex, oil, acrylic, spray)

Before you do anything, identifying the type of paint is crucial, as different paints require different removal methods.

• Latex/Water-Based Paint:
  • Characteristics: Most common household wall paint. Dries relatively quickly, cleans up with water when wet.
  • Removal Difficulty: Easiest to remove, especially when wet.
• Oil-Based Paint:
  • Characteristics: Dries slowly, durable, cleans up with mineral spirits or paint thinner.
  • Removal Difficulty: More challenging, especially once dry. Requires stronger solvents.
• Acrylic Paint:
  • Characteristics: Water-based but becomes water-resistant when dry (common for crafts, artists).
  • Removal Difficulty: Relatively easy when wet, but much harder once dry and cured, as it forms a plastic-like film.
• Spray Paint:
  • Characteristics: Can be oil-based or acrylic-based, often contains strong solvents. Dries very quickly.
  • Removal Difficulty: Very difficult, especially once dry, due to rapid drying and strong bonding to fabric.

Immediate action for wet paint stains

Time is of the essence when dealing with wet paint. Act as quickly as possible!

1. Don’t Rub! Blot Excess: As soon as you notice the paint, grab a paper towel or a clean, dry cloth and blot (do not rub!) as much wet paint as you can. Rubbing will only spread the paint and push it deeper into the fabric fibers.
2. Turn Garment Inside Out (Optional but Helpful): If possible, turn the garment inside out. This allows you to push the paint out of the fibers rather than further into them.
3. Rinse (for Latex/Acrylic/Water-Based):
   • For latex or acrylic (water-based) paints, immediately flush the stained area from the back side with warm water. This helps push the paint out.
   • Do not do this for oil-based paint, as water will not help and can make it worse.
4. Apply Dish Soap/Detergent (for Latex/Acrylic): While the area is still wet, apply a generous amount of liquid dish soap or laundry detergent directly onto the stain. Gently work it into the stain with your fingers or a soft brush.
5. Rinse and Repeat: Rinse thoroughly under warm water, still working from the back. Repeat the soap application and rinsing process until no more paint comes out.

Removing dried paint safely

Dried paint is significantly more challenging, but not impossible. Patience and the right solvent are key.

1. Scrape Off Excess (Carefully): For dried paint, especially thick spots, use a dull knife, a spoon, or even your fingernail to carefully scrape off any raised, flaky paint without damaging the fabric.
2. Pre-Treat Based on Paint Type:
   • Dried Latex/Acrylic: These are tough once dry. You’ll need a stronger approach than just soap and water.
     • Rubbing Alcohol: Often effective.
     • Hair Spray: Contains alcohol that can help break down acrylic.
     • Nail Polish Remover (Acetone-Free!): Use with extreme caution and test first. Only use acetone-free on synthetics.
     • Specialized Paint Remover: Look for products specifically designed for dried latex/acrylic on fabric.
   • Dried Oil-Based/Spray Paint: These require a solvent.
     • Mineral Spirits: Most common solvent for oil-based paint.
     • Turpentine: Also effective, but strong fumes.
     • Paint Thinner: Strong, use with caution.
     • WD-40: Can sometimes loosen oil-based paint.
     • Specialized Paint Remover: Look for products formulated for oil/spray paint on fabric.
3. Test in Inconspicuous Area: Before applying any solvent to the stain, always test it on a hidden part of the garment (e.g., inside seam, hem). This is crucial to ensure the solvent doesn’t damage, discolor, or dissolve the fabric itself. Synthetics (like rayon, acetate, or modacrylic) are particularly vulnerable to certain solvents like acetone.
4. Apply Solvent (from the back): Place the stained area face down on a stack of clean paper towels or an old rag. Apply the chosen solvent to the back of the stain. This helps push the paint out.
5. Blot and Repeat: Blot the area with a clean cloth, allowing the solvent to work. As the paint transfers to the paper towels, move the garment to a fresh, clean section of paper towels. Repeat this process, applying more solvent and blotting, until no more paint transfers.
6. Gently Agitate: For stubborn spots, gently rub the stain from the back with an old toothbrush or a cotton swab saturated with the solvent.

Recommended solvents & household solutions

Here’s a breakdown of commonly used products and when to use them.

• For Latex/Acrylic (Wet):
  • Liquid Dish Soap / Laundry Detergent
  • Warm Water
• For Latex/Acrylic (Dried):
  • Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol): Often the first choice. Apply directly, blot.
  • Hair Spray: Spray liberally, let sit for a few minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse. Repeat.
  • Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover: Test carefully. Apply, blot.
  • Goof Off / Goo Gone (Original formula or specific paint removers): Follow product directions carefully.
• For Oil-Based/Spray Paint (Wet or Dry):
  • Mineral Spirits: The safest and most common solvent for oil paint. Apply to a clean cloth, blot the stain.
  • Turpentine: More aggressive than mineral spirits, use with caution and good ventilation.
  • Paint Thinner: Strong, use with good ventilation.
  • WD-40: Can sometimes help break down oil-based paint; spray on, let sit, then blot.
  • Commercial Paint Removers (for fabrics): Specifically designed for paint types.

Important Cautions:

• Ventilation: Always work in a well-ventilated area when using strong solvents.
• Flammability: Many solvents are highly flammable. Keep away from open flames or sparks.
• Fabric Compatibility: Always, always, always test on an inconspicuous area first. Some solvents can damage synthetic fabrics (e.g., acetone on acetate, triacetate, modacrylic).

Pre-wash and wash routine

After the paint is visibly removed, a proper wash cycle is essential.

1. Pre-Treat Remaining Residue: Once the paint is mostly gone, apply a stain remover or a generous amount of liquid laundry detergent directly to the treated area.
2. Machine Wash Separately: Wash the stained garment separately from other laundry.
   • Use the hottest water setting safe for the fabric type.
   • Add your regular laundry detergent.
   • Do not add other clothes, especially if you’ve used a strong solvent, to avoid transferring residues.
3. Inspect Before Drying: Crucially, do not put the garment in the dryer until you are absolutely certain the stain is gone. The heat from a dryer will permanently set any remaining paint residue, making it almost impossible to remove later.
4. Air Dry: If the stain is still there after washing, air dry the garment and repeat the removal process.
5. Repeat as Needed: Stubborn stains may require multiple rounds of solvent application, blotting, and washing.

When to call a professional cleaner

Some paint stains are beyond DIY remedies, or you might prefer to leave it to the experts.

• Delicate Fabrics: If the stained garment is made of delicate fabrics (silk, rayon, fine wool, suede) that could be damaged by harsh solvents or vigorous scrubbing, a professional cleaner is your best bet.
• Large, Old, or Stubborn Stains: If the paint stain is very large, has been there for a long time and is deeply set, or if you’ve tried DIY methods without success, a professional has access to stronger chemicals and specialized techniques.
• Valuable Garments: For expensive or sentimental items, the risk of damaging the fabric outweighs the DIY cost savings.
• Uncertainty About Fabric or Paint Type: If you’re unsure about the fabric composition or the type of paint, a professional can assess and choose the safest, most effective method.
• Convenience: Sometimes, you simply don’t have the time or desire to tackle a challenging stain. A professional cleaning service offers convenience and peace of mind.

While a paint stain can be frustrating, armed with the right knowledge and tools, you stand a good chance of saving your clothes. Act fast, identify the paint, and proceed with caution for the best results!

Dealing with tough stains that seem impossible to remove? Asubra Cleaning offers expert stain removal services for various fabrics, going beyond what’s possible with typical household methods. Let us handle the challenging messes, so your garments and home always look their best. Contact us today for a free consultation!