How to Get Paint Out of Clothes: A Guide for Every Situation

Paint is one of those things that can be both a blessing and a curse. It can turn an ugly wall into something beautiful, but it can also get on your clothes and ruin them.

If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of getting paint on your clothes, don’t worry, we’re here to help!

In this blog post, we will explain how to get paint out of clothes in every possible situation. We’ll cover how to deal with latex paint, oil-based paint, water-based paint, and even permanent markers.

So read on for all the tips and tricks you need to know to get rid of that pesky paint stain!

Learn in This Article

  • How to Get Wet Paint Out of Clothes
  • How to Get Dried Paint Out of Clothes
  • How to Get Spray Paint Out of Clothes
  • How to Get Oil-Based Paint Out of Clothes
  • How to Get Latex Paint Out of Clothes
  • How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes
  • What to Do If You Can’t Remove the Paint From Your Clothes
  • Key Takeaways

How to Get Wet Paint Out of Clothes

The best way to get paint out of clothes is to treat the stain as soon as possible. If the paint is still wet, try to remove it by blotting it with a cloth or paper towel. Do not rub the stain, as this will only make it worse.

You might also want to try using a stain remover stick if you have one handy. It will work better than any other method.

Stain remover sticks are great for getting rid of stains on clothes because they’re easy to use and work really well. You can buy them at any grocery or drug store, and they’re inexpensive too.

The only downside is that you have to reapply every few days as these types of products don’t last very long.

To use a stain remover stick, just follow these simple steps:

  1. Wet the stained area of the clothes with cold water
  2. Apply the stain remover to the affected area
  3. Rub it in gently (using a circular motion is best)
  4. Let it sit for about 15 minutes
  5. Rinse off with cold water
  6. Repeat as needed until all traces of paint are gone from the clothes.

Stain remover sticks work best when applied before washing because they will help remove any remaining residue that may still be present in your laundry detergent or fabric softener.

How to Get Dried Paint Out of Clothes

It’s easier than you think! All you need is a mixture of water and dish soap. Soak the stained area in this solution for 30 minutes before rinsing it off.

You may also use rubbing alcohol as an alternative. To do this, you need to prepare the following:

  • some rubbing alcohol
  • a sponge or washcloth (or even an old toothbrush)
  • a little bit of elbow grease

The first thing to do is wet down the stained area using cold water then apply rubbing alcohol liberally over the top until it’s completely saturated in a liquid. Cover this with a sponge or washcloth and start scrubbing.

The paint should start coming right off. If it’s a stubborn stain, you may need to use an old toothbrush to get in all the nooks and crannies. Wash the rubbing alcohol with cold water when you’re finished. Your clothing should look good as new!

How to Get Spray Paint Out of Clothes

Spray paint is one of the hardest types to get out because it has a tendency to spread or bleed. So how can you remove this stubborn stain from your clothes without ruining them?

The best way is by using an enzyme-based cleaner such as Zout Laundry Stain Remover Spray.

When using this product, you need to follow these simple steps:

  1. Shake the can well before using
  2. Spray the product directly onto the stain and wait for 15 minutes
  3. Wipe off with a clean cloth or sponge (you may need to do this multiple times)
  4. Launder as usual

If you don’t have access to an enzyme-based cleaner, you can also try using a dishwashing detergent. Just mix one tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of warm water, then soak the stained clothes in this solution for 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

If all else fails, you can always try hydrogen peroxide. Pour it directly onto the stain and let it sit for about five minutes before blotting up with a clean cloth or sponge.

You can also try using rubbing alcohol instead of hydrogen peroxide. Just make sure not to use too much because it may bleach the color out of your clothes.

How to Get Oil-Based Paint Out of Clothes

Oil-based paint is another source of headache when it gets spilled on your clothes. Although it’s hard to remove from clothing, it’s not impossible.

Just follow these simple steps and you may be able to get it out without ruining your favorite shirt or pair of jeans!

  1. The first step is to pretreat the stain with a detergent solution. Mix equal parts dishwashing liquid and water in a bucket, then soak the stained area for at least an hour.
  2. Next, wash off any remaining detergent with cold running water before letting it air dry completely.

If there is still some residue left behind after drying, you can try using a commercial stain remover such as OxiClean or Shout Advanced Action Gel. You can follow the same steps as above.

How to Get Latex Paint Out of Clothes

If you recently brushed up against a freshly painted wall with your new sweater, don’t despair!

Depending on the severity of stain and fabric involved in this particular case (and depending on how eager to get rid of yourself from the said mess), there are several options available for tackling those annoying latex paints stains. 

You can wash it off with water and detergent, or rubbing alcohol mixed with water, and hair spray. These options can be used similar to traditional cleaning products.

The only difference is they do not leave behind any residue should they prove ineffective at removing whatever has been spilled.

How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes

What if you accidentally dribbled some yellow acrylic paint on one of your favorite shirts while finishing an art project?

There’s nothing to worry about because, like latex paint, acrylic is water-based, which is easier to remove from clothing.

You can simply follow the listed options and procedures in getting rid of latex paint and your shirt should look like the way it was before the paint spill incident.

What to Do If You Can’t Remove the Paint From Your Clothes

If you’ve tried all of the methods mentioned above on how to get a paint stain out of clothes and still can’t get the paint out of your clothes, the best thing to do is take them to a professional dry cleaner.

They will have access to products that can remove even the most stubborn stains.

Just make sure to mention what type of paint was spilled on your clothes so they can use the appropriate treatment method for that specific type of paint.

As a last resort, you can try using nail polish remover or acetone to remove dried-on paints from fabric fibers.

Just be careful not to use too much because it may bleach out colors in some garments and damage other materials like woolen garments over time due to repeated exposure.

Do not use products containing bleach on any natural fibers (such as wool), silk, or nylon because these fabrics will deteriorate when exposed repeatedly to strong cleaning chemicals.

Key Takeaways


So there you have it – the different ways how to get paint stains out of clothes for every situation! Hopefully, this post has given you some ideas on how to deal with different types of paint stains.

If all of these methods seem like too much work or if the stain is really stubborn, don’t worry –  there are professional services out there that can take care of it for you.

So before you go and toss your shirt or pants in the trash, try one of these methods and see if it works.

Just keep in mind that the earlier you start treating the stain, the better chance you have of saving your favorite piece of clothing from permanent damage.

And always remember, prevention is key so be careful when using paints around delicate fabrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to remove paint from clothes with baking soda?

Baking soda is one of the most common ways to get paint out of clothes. You can use baking soda to remove both water-based and oil-based paints from clothes.

This is also an effective solution for cleaning up dried acrylics without damaging your garments in any way.

To do this, mix equal parts baking soda and water to make a paste. Rub the paste directly onto the stained area then soak the fabric for 15 minutes.

Get a sponge or a brush and scrub the garment before rinsing off thoroughly. Make sure to launder your clothing right after.

How does hairspray remove paint from clothes?

Hairspray is another good option for removing paint from clothes because it contains solvents that can break down the bond between the paint and the fabric.

The first thing to do is saturate the stained area with hairspray and leave it for 15 minutes. Then cleanse the fabric and do the usual laundering as a final step.

How do I get dried paint out of clothes?

There are several ways to get dried paint out of clothes. You can use a detergent, rubbing alcohol mixed with water, or hair spray.

Alternatively, you can try using a nail polish remover or acetone but be careful not to use too much because it may bleach out colors in some garments and damage other materials.

Can paint be removed from the fabric?

You can remove paint stains from clothes with water and soap. If that doesn’t work, you can use a detergent or rub alcohol mixed with some dishwashing liquid.

If those methods still don’t work, there are professional services out there to help get how to get dried acrylic paint out of clothes as well.

Can vinegar remove paint from clothes?

Vinegar is an ideal solution if you’re wondering how to get water-based paint out of clothes since it will not damage the fabric. However, this may not work with oil-based paints or dried acrylics.

Mix one-part vinegar with four parts of water then soak the stained area for about 15 minutes. Gently scour the clothing then wash it well.