How Do You Get Paint Out of Clothes Once Dried?
In just a few easy steps, you can learn how to get paint out of clothes: scrape off any excess paint, saturate the stain with water and detergent, rinse, and repeat.
The last thing you want to do is attempt to remove dried paint with everything else you have on your plate. However, you don’t have to discard your best ensemble just yet. Get dried paint out of clothes in a few easy steps, though it might require a little effort.
Someone will eventually splatter paint on their shirt or jeans because life is messy and their hands get dirty. When that happens, use this guide to learn how to remove dried paint from clothing, saving the day (and your outfit).
Understanding how to remove paint from clothing is a helpful laundry skill, regardless of whether you have painted a room yourself or have accidentally brushed past fresh paint and stained your favorite top.
Fortunately, removing dried-on paint from clothing is not as messy as painting itself, though it still requires a little more work than doing laundry, particularly if oil-based paint is used.
What to Do Before Removing Paint from Clothes
It’s important to first understand the kind of paint you’re dealing with. A paint’s composition determines whether it is water-based or oil-based. Latex and acrylic paints are examples of water-based paints.
While latex paints are typically used for painting walls and ceilings, acrylics are more frequently used for crafts and artwork.
In addition to painting walls and ceilings, oil-based paints are often used for painting trim, cabinetry, metal, and wood doors because they are glossier than water-based paints.
Check the paint can label or packaging if you’re not sure what kind of paint you’re working with. You’re in luck if the paint is water-based, as it can be removed slightly more easily than oil-based paint.
But fear not it is also possible to remove oil-based paints from clothing. See our detailed instructions below to learn how to get paint, both oil- and water-based, off of your clothing.
How to Get Paint Out of Clothes
The process of paint removal here works perfectly when it is wet. You can remove it more easily when it’s still wet than when a stain has set. To lessen the stain as soon as you see it, try scraping off as much wet paint as you can.
Then, to keep the stain from drying out, moisten it with a little warm water. To treat the stain before it dries, you can use almost any detergent or stain remover.
Avoid oversoaking it as this could cause the paint to run. A good solution is laundry detergent, or in a pinch, dish soap. Just use caution as fabric colors may run when using dish soap.
Try not to soak the surrounding area and start with a small amount of detergent to see how easily the stain comes out.
After completely rinsing the clothing in warm water to get rid of any remaining paint, proceed with regular washing.
How to Get Dry Paint Out of Clothes
Dry paint pigments can stain fabric, making it challenging to remove from clothing. It also depends on the type of paint, as some are intended to be water-resistant after drying.
Begin with the mildest cleaning solution (like soap and water) and progress to stronger ones until you discover an effective technique.
To learn how to remove old paint from clothing, use these tips:
1. Brush
Use a stiff brush to remove as much paint as possible. While the paint is still dry, do this.
2. Use Warm Water to Rinse the Stain.
Try to get the water to flow from the stain’s underside toward the direction that it came from when you turn your garment inside out. The idea is to return stray particles to their original path.
3. Blot and Scrub
Blot and scrub the stain with a 50/50 laundry detergent and warm water mixture. This might take some time, depending on the type of paint.
4. Stain Remover
Use a stain remover according to the directions and rinse the clothing to get rid of the detergent. Next, run a regular cycle of washing the clothes.
5. (Optional)
Try applying a small amount of rubbing alcohol, hairspray, or non-acetone nail polish remover if the stain is still noticeable.
Before applying the solution directly to the stain, test a small area. After five minutes, remove and repeat with a standard cycle of washing.
How to Get Dried Paint Out of Jeans
Removing dried paint from denim can be especially challenging. Paint stains adhere quickly to your jeans because of the same qualities that make them so durable.
Here are some additional tips to try if the above methods haven’t worked for you. The good news is that denim can withstand harsher treatments than other fabrics and still be fine.
Step 1: Use a Blunt Knife
Before trying to clean it, or once the fabric has dried once more, use a blunt knife to scrape off as much paint as you can.
Step 2: Use a Toothbrush
After removing as much paint as you can, use a toothbrush or stiff-bristled brush to truly scrub the cleaning solutions into the fabric.
Step 3: Use Liquid Glycerin
A pro’s best friend is this incredible ingredient. We can effectively remove paint and oil stains with glycerin. Just dab it onto the stain and let it sit for a couple of hours or overnight.
Next, use a toothbrush to scrub the stain and make a lather with a little water and dish soap. Next, launder as normal.
Step 3: Use Solvent or Paint Remover
This might be required, particularly if the paint you used is oil-based and won’t react to water-based treatments.
The least likely to discolor your denim during the process are oil solvents, but you should always spot-test a discrete area first.
How to Remove Oil-Based Paint Stains From Clothes
Oil-based paint is resilient (and tenacious), unlike paints that dissolve in water. The paint’s resin dries to a durable covering and sticks to any surface with great efficiency.
If you leave splatters behind after a project, it’s not only challenging to remove from solid surfaces but also a little trickier to remove from garment fibers.
Remember that these cleaning procedures ought to be carried out outside or in an area with good ventilation.
Step 1
Apply paint thinner or mineral spirits. Paint thinner or mineral spirits can be applied directly on clothing to thin the paint, much like how you would clean your paintbrushes after an oil painting project.
Proceed with the standard pretreat and laundry until the stain is removed after diluting and washing the stain with water.
Step 2
Apply turpentine. Turpentine is strong enough to remove stains from hardened oil paint, and you can use a small amount on your clothing to soften and dissolve the stain.
After using a toothbrush to remove the paint, rinse the item of clothing until it is clean.
How to Remove Water-based Paints from Clothing
Water-based paints, such as acrylics and latex, are probably as prevalent in your home as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, between weekend hobbies and school projects.
The good news is that water-based paint is generally simple to remove, even though kids like to finger-paint their clothes and paper. Her unicorn clothing is saved from the garbage, so you may both now exhale with relief.
Use these procedures to get rid of water-based paints from clothing:
1. Remove any Leftover Paint with a Scrape
Using a spoon, dull knife, or brush, remove as much of the leftover dried paint as possible.
2. Use Warm Running Water to Flush the Stain
Apply warm running water on the stain’s reverse side. (You can do this directly in the washer if your washer has a built-in water faucet.)
Alternatively, blot as much of the leftover paint as you can use a fresh rag or paper towel.
3. Apply a Mixture of Detergent and Water to the Discoloration
Apply a solution of half detergent and half warm water to the stain, then use a rag or paper towel to blot it as firmly as possible.
Rinse and continue until the paint is removed or stops rising.
4. Apply Stain Remover
If required, use stain remover and wash the item of clothing on the cycle advised by the care label.
5. Blot and Rewash if the Discoloration Persists.
Try blotting lightly with a non-acetone nail polish remover, hairspray, or rubbing alcohol if any paint is still visible after washing, and then give it another go.
Before putting the clothing through a washing cycle, make sure you give it a good rinse in warm water if you decide to use these products to treat the stain.
6. Visit a Dry Cleaner with the Item
Consider taking the item to a professional dry cleaning if the stain is still present.
Using the appropriate tools and methods; knowing how to get paint out of clothes is simple.
All you have to do is utilize the convenient solve your stain tool, and you’ll quickly become a laundry expert.
