How to Get Paint Out of Clothes

What is the first thing to do when you spill paint on clothes?

Act quickly and scrape off as much wet paint as you can before it soaks deeper into the fibres. Use a dull butter knife, the edge of a spoon or an old loyalty card. Gently lift the paint away from the fabric, working from the outside of the splatter toward the centre so you do not spread the stain wider.

Once the excess is gone, blot the area with a clean dry rag or paper towel. Press straight down and lift, repeating with a fresh section of the cloth each time. Never rub the stain. Rubbing pushes the pigment into the weave and turns a surface mark into a set-in stain that is far harder to shift later.

If the garment is soaked through, slip a piece of cardboard or a folded tea towel inside it before you blot. This stops the paint from bleeding onto the back of the fabric while you work on the front.

How do you remove fresh water-based acrylic paint?

Acrylic paint is water-soluble when wet, so speed matters more than the product you use. Cold water is your best tool. Turn the garment inside out and hold the stained area under cold running water. The flow pushes the paint out from the back of the fabric. Warm or hot water will set the stain, so keep the tap cold.

Once the water runs mostly clear, apply a small drop of laundry liquid or plain dish soap directly to the spot. Gently rub the fabric against itself or use a soft-bristled toothbrush in a circular motion for thirty seconds. Rinse again under cold water and check the fabric before you put it in the washing machine.

• Turn the clothing inside out so the water pushes paint away from the fibres, not deeper into them.
• Use cold water only. Heat causes acrylic binders to cure and lock the colour into the fabric.
• Work a drop of liquid laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid into the stain with your fingertips.
• Rinse thoroughly and repeat the soap-and-rub step if the stain still shows colour.
• Launder as usual on a cold cycle, and always air-dry the item until you are sure the stain is gone.
• Check the wet garment after washing. A dryer will bake in any leftover pigment permanently.

How do you remove dried acrylic paint from fabric?

Dried acrylic paint bonds tightly to fibres. Soften it first. Place a clean folded rag under the stain and dab the mark with methylated spirits or rubbing alcohol until it is wet. Let it soak for ten minutes. The solvent breaks down the paint binder.

After soaking, use a blunt butter knife or the edge of a spoon to gently scrape away the softened paint. Work from the outside of the stain toward the centre to avoid spreading it. Rinse the fabric under cold running water, then wash the garment on a regular cycle with your usual laundry detergent. Check the stain before the item goes into the dryer, because heat will set any leftover paint permanently.

• Methylated spirits from the hardware or supermarket cleaning aisle
• Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) from the chemist
• A blunt butter knife or old spoon for scraping
• A clean white rag to place underneath the stain

How do you get oil-based paint out of clothes?

Oil-based paint bonds firmly to fabric. A solvent breaks it down. If the paint is still wet, blot up as much as you can with a paper towel. Do not rub the spot. Place the garment on a folded rag and dab the back of the stain with a clean cloth dipped in mineral turpentine. Work from the outer edge toward the centre to stop the stain spreading.

Once the paint has loosened, rinse the area under warm running water. Rub a small amount of laundry liquid directly into the mark and let it sit for ten minutes. Wash the item separately in the hottest water the care label allows, and check the stain is completely gone before you put it in the dryer. Heat will set any leftover paint permanently.

What should you avoid when trying to remove paint stains?

Certain actions can set the stain permanently or damage the fabric. Stick to gentle methods and test any solvent on an inside seam first.

• Do not use hot water on water-based acrylic paint. Heat can bind the pigment to the fibres, turning a temporary spill into a lasting mark.
• Avoid rubbing the stain vigorously. Rubbing pushes the paint deeper into the weave and can spread the colour across a wider area.
• Never put the garment in a clothes dryer until you are certain the stain is completely gone. Dryer heat sets any remaining traces and makes removal almost impossible.
• Do not mix cleaning chemicals, such as household bleach and methylated spirits. Combining products can release dangerous fumes and may weaken the fabric.
• Steer clear of harsh scrubbing brushes or abrasive pads on delicate fabrics like wool or silk. They can break the surface fibres and leave a permanent rough patch.

Photo: kaboompics.com, Pexels (Pexels License)