How to Get Paint Out of Clothes

Not all stains are created equal. If you wanta stubborn spill or splatterto disappear, you’ll need the right tools and process. Get some Sharpie on your shirt?Take some Amodex to it(and always use a piece of paper towel underneath to prevent transferring the ink).Pet stain on your rug? Make sure to use an enzyme-based cleaner, which breaks down proteins, so you can remove the spotandthe smell. Splatter some paint on your clothes? Buckle up for the ride.

Paint is a peculiar beast. While it’s not impossible to get out of your clothes, it will definitely take some time and work. One thing to keep in mind along the way:How you remove paint from your clothes depends not only on how long it’s been there, but what kind of paint you’re working with.So for the best results, always do your homework and make sure you have the supplies you need before you start.

Ready to remove all evidence ofyour living room trim refreshor your latest craft project from your favorite jeans? Here’s everything you need to know about how to get paint out of clothes, no matter what kind of stain you’re dealing with.

Since removing different kinds of paint from textiles requires different tools and processes, the first thing you’ll need to do is determine what type of paint you need to remove. Water-based paint, such as acrylic paint (often used for crafts) or latex paint (generally used to paint walls), responds well to soap and water. For oil-based paint, which is often used to paint trim, doors, and windows, you’ll want to use a solvent (such as turpentine, alcohol, or paint thinner).

If you’re using a solvent, always exercise caution. Make sure you properly ventilate the room you’re working in and wear gloves to avoid burning or irritating your skin. You may even want to don a face mask, since you probably have one on hand.

• If your paint is water-based and still fresh or wet,try these 5 steps
• If your paint is water-based but it’s dried,try these 5 steps
• If your paint is oil-based and still fresh or wet,try these 5 steps
• If your paint is oil-based but it’s dried,try these 6 steps

Now that you’ve identified what type of paint you’re working with, it’s time to get started on the stain-removal process.

Very carefully lift any excess paint with a spoon or dull knife, being careful not to spread the paint around to unaffected areas.

用温水冲洗面积。潮流和柔和的三英洁具tist Mary Johnson recommends making sure you flip the garment inside out and run water over the reverse side of the stain, too.

If flushing with water wasn’t enough, then apply a mixture of 1:1 dish soap and warm water, gently blotting with a clean cloth to remove the paint.

Or, Johnson says you can pre-treat with a high-quality liquid detergent and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Keep the detergent on the garment when you wash it—Johnson says leaving the detergent on the stain will give your wash an extra boost of cleaning power.

Place the garment into the washer with other items, and wash on the usual cycle, on the hottest wash temperature indicated. Always check the instructions on the garment’s care label.

If the stain is still there when you pull the garment out of the wash, repeat steps 3 and 4 until it’s gone. And one reminder from Johnson: Make sure not to toss the item in the dryer, which can set the stain.

Try to scrape as much paint as you can from the fabric with a spoon or dull knife.

Flush the back side of the stain with warm water, then apply a mixture of 1:1 dish soap and warm water, gently blotting with a clean cloth to remove as much paint as possible.

If paint remains, apply an alcohol-based cleaner, like nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol, and blot using a clean, dry white cloth. (Always spot test first!).

Place the garment into the washer with other items, and wash on the usual cycle, on the hottest wash temperature indicated. Always check the instructions on the garment’s care label.

If the stain is still there when you pull the garment out of the wash, repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 until it disappears. (But skip the dryer until it’s gone.)

Carefully scrape off any excess paint with a spoon or dull knife, then blot up as much as possible with a cleanwhitecloth, then rinse with warm water. Don’t let the fabric dry.

Turn the garment inside-out and lay the stained section on a thick stack of rags or paper towels. After you spot test, blot the stain from the back with a clean white rag dipped in turpentine (or whatever paint thinner is recommended on the paint’s label). Continue blotting until the paint is removed.

If stain remains, treat it with dish soap, then leave it soaking in a bucket of hot, soapy water (Johnson suggests a half dose of liquid laundry detergent per gallon of water) for up to 30 minutes. Add a white towel to the bucket to help keep the stained garment submerged in the solution.

If any stain remains after soaking, try a pre-wash stain remover.

Without rinsing off the detergent, place the garment into the washer with other items and wash on the hottest wash temperature you can.

If the stain persists after washing, repeat the previous steps before tossing in the dryer, as drying will set the stain.

First, soften the dried paint by blotting it with a white rag dipped in turpentine (or a paint thinner recommended on the paint’s label).

Carefully scrape off any excess paint with a spoon or dull knife, then blot up as much as possible with a cleanwhitecloth, then rinse with warm water. Don’t let the fabric dry.

Turn the garment inside-out and lay the stained section on a thick stack of rags or paper towels. After you spot test, blot the stain from the back with a clean white rag dipped in turpentine (or whatever paint thinner is recommended on the paint’s label). Continue blotting until the paint is removed.

If stain remains, treat it with dish soap, then leave it soaking in a bucket of hot, soapy water (Johnson suggests a half dose of liquid laundry detergent per gallon of water) for up to 30 minutes. Add a white towel to the bucket to help keep the stained garment submerged in the solution.

If any stain remains after soaking, try a pre-wash stain remover.

Without rinsing off the detergent, place the garment into the washer with other items and wash on the hottest wash temperature you can.

If the stain persists after washing, repeat the previous steps before tossing in the dryer, as drying will set the stain.