Q&A for How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes

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  • Question
    How do I get dried acrylic paint out of my clothing?
    Susan Stocker
    Green Cleaning Expert
    Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.
    Green Cleaning Expert
    Expert Answer
    Use a spoon or knife to scrape as much of the paint off as you can. After that, you can try dabbing it with rubbing alcohol.
  • Question
    If the acrylic paint has dried, can I still use one of the methods in the article to remove it?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use rubbing alcohol or 409 kitchen cleaning spray. Use a toothbrush to rub it in. This works on stains that have dried and have been on the clothing for months.
  • Question
    How can I get dry paint out?
    Community Answer
    Use rubbing alcohol and 409 kitchen cleaning spray. Then use a toothbrush to rub it in. This works on stains that have dried and have been on the clothing for months
  • Question
    Will washing my clothing that has acrylic paint on it ruin the rest of my laundry load?
    Community Answer
    If at all possible, watch the paint-stained clothing separately. But honestly, as long as the paint is dry, it probably doesn't really matter.
  • Question
    Can I use a toothbrush to remove the stain?
    Community Answer
    Yes, a toothbrush can be used to scrub the stain out of your clothes, although it might not be 100% effective (especially if the bristles are soft).
  • Question
    Can I remove a paint stain after I have already washed the article of clothing?
    Community Answer
    You may or may not be successful, but it's worth a try. Use nail polish remover and some dry cloth. Keep on rubbing and it should come out.
  • Question
    How do I remove the stain if my paint was really diluted when I used it?
    Community Answer
    Even if it was diluted, it would still be best to try one of these methods just in case.
  • Question
    How do I remove paint that's been on my shirt for 2 weeks?
    Community Answer
    Use rubbing alcohol and 409 kitchen cleaning spray, using a toothbrush to rub it in. This works on stains that have dried and have been on the clothing for months.
  • Question
    Can I paint wool with watered-down acrylic paint?
    Community Answer
    The wool might soak up the diluted acrylic paint, and wash out easily.
  • Question
    How do I get a Coke stain out a white t-shirt?
    Community Answer
    Use OxiClean. Soak it for a day or two and then wash the t-shirt as you normally would.
  • Question
    How do I remove stains from colored clothing?
    Community Answer
    Most acrylic paint will come out in the wash. Pre-soak the clothes if it is a stubborn stain.
  • Question
    Do I need to wash the stained garment by itself, or is it safe to wash it with other items?
    Community Answer
    If possible, it's best to wash the garment separately, but it can be washed with other items if necessary.
  • Question
    Can I use sandpaper to remove dried acrylic paint from wool?
    Hannah Madden
    Community Answer
    Sandpaper can help remove the top layer of acrylic paint if it's dry. However, using sandpaper on wool could tear or rip the fabric. If you'd like to use sandpaper, carefully brush it over the stain to just remove the top layer of paint, then switch to a different method.
  • Question
    I have a large amount of brown acrylic paint on a grey wolf jacket and it has been there for a while. Any tips?
    Flxwer
    Community Answer
    Try using a wet wipe and try to scrub off as much as you can, being careful so you don't wear down the fur. Then try putting it in the washer on low for a few minutes. You could also get acrylic stain clothes removal substances. The article suggestions above should help too.
  • Question
    How can I remove green paint from my white jacket?
    Community Answer
    Bleach will help remove the green paint. And you won't have to worry about it staining your jacket white, since your jacket is already white.
  • Question
    How would I get an old acrylic paint stain out of a hotel chair (can't remove the chair from the room)?
    Toru Muhyo
    Community Answer
    Use an alcohol-based product to try and break down the bonds in the plastic layer. Rubbing alcohol, some nail varnish removers, and even an alcohol-based hairspray all work well. Rub the product on the stain until you begin to see some of the colour transfer from the fabric to the cloth.
  • Question
    I tried to get out dry paint and it wouldn’t come out, the shirt is yellow and the paint stain is dark green but the shirt has been washed already.
    Community Answer
    Try using Vanish cleaning products, nail polish remover and an art smock next time.
  • Question
    What about on a white shirt that has had it on for months?
    Lisa Welton
    Community Answer
    The best thing to try is bleach, since it is a white shirt. But after months, the color is most likely permanently stained on the clothing.
  • Question
    How do I get acrylic paint out of a white sweatshirt that has been dry for a few days?
    CLARISSA SWEETLAND
    Community Answer
    You should refrain from using bleach, and instead try and massage the paint stain out using cold water. (Hot water could make the stain last longer.) Massage gently using a washcloth and a gentle soap, and if it still doesn't come out, try using some stain remover made for white fabric.
  • Question
    I got acrylic on my pants, can I just rub on soap and water?
    Community Answer
    You could but it would be very difficult to remove this way alone. I would get as much off as possible like that then throw it in a washer and dryer.
  • Question
    I got paint on my white school shirt and have tried nail polish remover, but this hasn't worked. Any tips?
    Coolfish1001
    Community Answer
    Put Dawn dish soap on it and scrub it with a toothbrush or sponge, then wash it with cold water (alone).
  • Question
    I used alcohol and saturated a teal color shirt that had dark acrylic paint dried on it. I scrubbed, but it only came out a little. What else should I try?
    T. Chinsen
    Top Answerer
    Soak the garment 24 hours. This allows the fabric fibers to swell and expand to help separate the paint from the fibers. Use shampoo and scrub well. Also, use the methods described in the article.
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