How to Get Dry Paint Out of Clothes

Co-authored by Susan Stocker

Last Updated: July 30, 2021 References

It’s a scenario that might be very familiar to you. Maybe you’re repainting a room in your home, putting the finishing touches on your latest work of art, or doing some at-home crafting with your kids, when you accidentally get a splash of paint on your clothes – but you don’t notice until it’s dry! You might think your clothes are ruined, but don’t give up hope. With a few simple techniques, you should be able to remove the dried paint – whether it’s latex, acrylic, or oil – and have your clothes looking like new again in no time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Latex or Acrylic Paint

1
Determine if the paint is latex-based. Oil-based paints are rarely used in home decorating anymore, so your paint stain is probably a water-based latex. Check the label on the tube or can of paint you used to see if it says ‘latex’ or ‘acrylic latex.’ Proceed with the following method if the paint is latex-based, also called water-based.
- If you can’t find the original paint tube or container and still aren’t sure, try testing a small area of the surface you were painting. Dip a cotton ball into a little bit of denatured alcohol and rub it over a tiny surface area of your painting project. If the paint comes off, it’s latex-based. If it doesn’t come off, it’s oil-based.^{[1]
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- If you don’t want to risk wiping paint off your project, think back to how you cleaned your brush. Oil paints require solvents like mineral spirits or turpentine to wash brushes, whereas latex-based paints only need water.^{[2]
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2
Spray the dried paint stain with aerosol hairspray to loosen the paint. Saturate the stain completely. The alcohol in the aerosol hairspray will loosen the dried paint.^{[3]
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3
Use rubbing alcohol instead if you don't have hairspray. Dab the paint stain with a clean wet cloth, then saturate it with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Slowly pour the alcohol straight out of the bottle directly onto the stain.^{[4]
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- Do a test first on an inconspicuous spot of fabric to make sure the hairspray or alcohol won’t discolor your clothes.
4
Rub the fabric with a butter knife to remove as much paint as possible.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Cleaning Guru
Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.} If your fabric isn’t too delicate, use a butter knife to gently scrape at the paint. Run your knife back and forth across the saturated stain until the paint loosens up.^{[6]
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5
Use a toothbrush instead of a knife for more delicate fabrics. Take a soft bristle toothbrush and rub it back and forth across the stain. Loosen up as much of the dried paint as possible.^{[7]
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6
Run the clothes under hot water to rinse away the loosened paint. Blot the fabric with a towel to dry it a little. Repeat the process of saturating the stain with hairspray or rubbing alcohol, scrubbing at it, and then rinsing until the stain is no longer visible.
- If you want, try spraying the fabric with stain remover while you’re running it under the hot water.^{[8]
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7
Launder the clothes as normal. Wash your clothes in the washing machine according to the instructions on the care tag. Dry them in the dryer or let them air dry, depending on their specific laundering instructions.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Oil Paint Out of Your Clothes

1
Determine if your paint is oil-based. Latex-based paints are more common in home improvement projects, but your paint could still be oil-based. Check the tube or container your paint came in. If you can’t find it, think back to whether you cleaned your brush with water or a solvent like turpentine or mineral spirits. Oil-based paints require solvents for washing brushes.^{[10]
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- Perform a strip test on a small area of the surface you were painting. Dab a cotton ball in a bit of denatured alcohol and rub it across a tiny area of the paint. If the paint doesn’t come off, it’s oil-based.^{[11]
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2
Scrape off paint with a blunt knife, if your clothes aren't delicate. Rub gently at the fabric to loosen up as much paint as you can. Take care not to damage the material.^{[12]
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3
Use a soft toothbrush instead of a knife, if your fabric is delicate. Scrape the toothbrush over the paint. Loosen up as much as you can.^{[13]
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4
Lay the stain face down and blot with turpentine.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Cleaning Guru
Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.} Put the fabric down on some paper towels or clean cloths. Dip a sponge in a bit of turpentine and dab the stain from the back to press the paint out of the fabric, rather than further in. Tamp the stain with the sponge. Repeat the process until you can’t get any more paint out this way.
- Replace the paper towels or cloths under the stain as needed, if they become too covered in paint.^{[15]
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- If you don't have turpentine, try another removal agent, such as paint thinner.^{[16]
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5
Blot the fabric with a cloth or paper towel to soak up excess turpentine. Put a clean cloth or paper towel behind the area. Blot to remove any remaining removal agent.^{[17]
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6
Rub a bit of laundry detergent into the fabric as a final spot treatment. Check your care instructions tag to see what laundry detergents are safe for your clothes. Place a small amount on the area that was stained. Lightly work it into the fabric with a cloth or sponge.^{[18]
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7
Launder your clothes as you normally would. Follow the care instructions on your tag. Wash and dry your clothes accordingly.^{[19]
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