How to Remove Dried Paint from Clothes: Oil and Water-Based

Nothing is more frustrating than finding a paint stain on your clothes. If the paint is still wet, it’s usually pretty easy to remove, but if it’s dry it requires a little more patience. In this article, we’ll teach you how to get dry paint out of clothes—like jackets—with tips for both water-based and oil-based paints. Plus, learn what to do if the paint can’t be removed and get answers to other common questions about removing paint.

How to Remove Dried Paint from Clothes

Scrape off as much excess paint as you can with a dull knife or scraping tool. Soak the garment in a mixture of water and laundry detergent for an hour, then scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Wash the garment as usual. For stubborn stains, try rubbing alcohol on water-based paints or turpentine on oil-based.

Section 1 of 6:

How to Get Dried Paint Out of Clothes

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Scrape off excess paint with a dull knife or spoon. Use a dull knife or the edge of the spoon to remove as much paint as possible. Depending on the type of paint and how it dried, it may not be possible to remove much at this step. If it seems like it isn’t working, skip to the next step. Don’t risk damaging your shirt by continuing to scrape. ^{[1]
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- Note: while this method can work to remove most types of paints, it generally works best with water-based paints like acrylic or latex. Even then, some dried paints may need stronger methods to remove the stain completely.
Fill a sink or bucket with water and some liquid laundry detergent of your choosing. Submerge the stained garment in the solution and let it soak for an hour. If the stain seems particularly stubborn, pour some detergent (or dish soap) directly onto the paint and let it sit for 5 minutes before soaking in the solution. ^{[2]
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Remove the garment from the sink or bucket, then gently agitate the paint stain with an old toothbrush. This will hopefully loosen some of the paint to make it easier to remove. Rinse the garment in the sink, then apply more detergent or a stain remover directly onto the stain. ^{[3]
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Wash the garment as usual. Leave the detergent on the stain to give it some extra cleaning power, then wash the garment in the washing machine as usual, using the hottest temperature safe for the garment. Check the care label if you’re not sure. If the stain is gone after washing, dry your clothes as usual. Otherwise, repeat the process or try one of the methods below. ^{[4]
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- Do not put the stained item in the dryer if the paint is still there. The heat will set the stain and make it even harder to remove.
- If your garment is dry clean only, it’s best to take it to a professional dry cleaner to see if the paint can be removed.
- If you normally hand wash your clothes, Stocker says, “Be careful that you do not over scrub [when washing]. If you do, you can damage the fibers, and even rip the items or make them look threadbare as you will have stretched the material past the point of being able to bounce back into shape.” ^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Susan Stocker
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}

Section 2 of 6:

Removing Dry Water-Based Paint from Clothes

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Soak the paint in rubbing alcohol. Alcohol is a great way to remove many water-based stains, including latex and acrylic paint, and there are plenty of household items that contain it. Grab some rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or even hairspray and apply it directly to the paint stain. Make sure the fibers of the clothes are saturated, then use an old toothbrush to loosen the paint and scrub it away. ^{[6]
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- Water-based paint and oil-based paint usually need to be treated differently, so check the label on the container to make sure the paint is water-based. Water-based paints include latex paint and acrylic paint, so if you see either of those, go ahead and try the methods in this section. ^{[7]
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- Acetone, like nail polish remover, also works the same way. However, do not use acetone if the fabric contains acetate or triacetate, as the acetone could melt the fabric.
- Do a test on an inconspicuous spot of fabric first to make sure the hairspray or alcohol won’t discolor your clothes.
- If the paint is acrylic, applying a few drops of an enzyme-based cleaner may also work. Work it in with a soft-bristle brush and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing.
EXPERT TIP

Susan Stocker
Stain Removal Specialist
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.

Susan Stocker
Stain Removal Specialist

Removing water-based paint is fairly easy as long as it's wet. Immediately put dishwashing liquid on it, scrub, then rinse in cold water. If the paint's already dry, scrape off as much as you can with a metal spoon, then apply rubbing alcohol.
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Apply a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda and water to create a paste, then apply it directly to the paint stain. Or, mix the baking soda with some dish soap and rubbing alcohol for a stronger solution. As the mixture dries, the baking soda will help treat the garment and lift the stain. After it’s dried completely, rinse the area with cool water to see if the stain is gone. Repeat as necessary, then wash the garment as usual. ^{[8]
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- Note that baking soda can sometimes discolor fabrics, so be sure to test it on an inconspicuous area first.
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Soften the paint with citrus, rosemary, or lavender essential oils. If you happen to have any essential oils lying around, they may be able to loosen the paint so it’s easier to remove. This is especially true for lemon , rosemary , and lavender . Simply apply a few drops directly to the stain and allow the oils to soak into the fibers. Then, wash the item as you normally would and see if the paint comes out.
- As always, test this method on an inconspicuous area first, as essential oils often contain carrier oils like jojoba oil, which can stain fabrics. ^{[9]
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Mix together 2 parts ammonia , 2 parts white vinegar, and 1 part table salt. Place the stained garment in the mixture and allow it to soak overnight. Then, scrub the stain with an old toothbrush to loosen and remove the paint, and wash the garment as usual. ^{[10]
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Section 3 of 6:

Removing Dry Oil-Based Paint from Clothes

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Apply mineral spirits or paint thinner. These products can be used to remove oil paint from paintbrushes, so they also work to remove it from other surfaces, like fabric. Apply the paint thinner or mineral spirits directly to the stain to thin the paint. Then, rinse the garment with water, pretreat it with laundry detergent, and wash as usual. Repeat as necessary until the stain has been removed. ^{[11]
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- Warning: mineral spirits and paint thinner are highly flammable, so do not put garments treated with these products in the dryer. Instead, allow them to air dry.
- Before trying the methods in this section, make sure the paint is oil-based by looking for the label on the container. If you don’t have the container, consider how you clean your paint brushes ; oil-based paints require solvents like turpentine or mineral spirits. ^{[12]
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- If you’re still not certain what kind of paint you have, 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. ^{[13]
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Dissolve paint with turpentine. Turpentine works similarly to mineral spirits and paint thinner. Use a sponge to apply a bit of turpentine to the stain to soften and dissolve the paint. ^{[14]
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Expert Source

Kamel Almani
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.}
- Warning: Turpentine is highly flammable, so do not put the garment in the dryer. Allow it to air dry instead.
- It may help to dab the stain from the back to push the paint out of the fabric rather than deeper into it.
- If the turpentine didn’t remove the stain completely, pretreat the area with laundry detergent before washing it.
- In some cases, applying a few drops of an essential oil (like citrus, rosemary, linseed, or lavender) may also help soften oil paint so it can be removed more easily. ^{[16]
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Section 4 of 6:

Tips for Getting Paint Out of Clothes

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Try to remove paint as quickly as possible. To avoid stubborn paint stains in the future, try to clean up any paint spills while they’re still wet. The longer you take to tackle the stain, the more likely it is to set. ^{[17]
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- To avoid paint stains altogether, try to cover your clothes (with an apron, for example) while you’re painting. Or, just wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting stained.
If you rub paint stains, it can actually spread the stain so it covers a larger area. Additionally, it may push the paint deeper into the garment’s fibers, making it more difficult to remove. Instead, use a gentle blotting motion to lift the paint. ^{[18]
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Check the garment’s care label. Some paint removal methods may not work for all types of clothing, which is why it’s important to check the care instructions beforehand. For example, acetone can melt fabrics containing acetate or triacetate. Delicate fabrics, like silk, may also be damaged easily and should be dry cleaned instead. ^{[19]
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- Even if you think a solution will be safe to use on a certain fabric, test it in an inconspicuous area to be sure.
Depending on the type of paint and how set-in the stain is, it may not come up right away. Many paint stains require multiple treatments before they’re completely removed. Keep trying, and consider switching removal methods if the one you’re using doesn’t seem to be making a difference. ^{[20]
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Section 5 of 6:

What to Do If the Paint Cannot Be Removed

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If you’ve already tried a bunch of DIY methods and nothing seems to work, consider having the item professionally cleaned. Dry cleaners often have access to cleaning supplies and solutions not available to the general public, so they may be able to save your clothes. ^{[21]
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See if you can paint over the stain. In some cases, it may be possible to disguise the stain with even more paint. Try to find a paint that’s as close to the original color of the garment as possible. Then, simply grab a paintbrush and paint over the stain. If that doesn’t work, another option is to use paint the same color as the stain and turn it into a design.
- This may work for small paint stains, but it may not be the best option if the stain is very large and visible.
If the stain truly cannot be removed, don’t despair. Turn it into a fun craft instead. If you still want to wear the clothes, see if you can tie-dye them to cover the stain. This way, you won’t have to throw out or quit wearing the item altogether. ^{[22]
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If you’re particularly fond of a paint-stained shirt or pair of jeans, there are a lot of ways you can cover the stain and still be fashionable. Try embroidering a cute design over the paint, adding an applique , or applying rhinestones . The possibilities are endless!
If you have a stained T-shirt but love the logo or design, try cutting it out to make a cute T-shirt quilt . Grab any other old T-shirts you have and do the same. This is a great way to hold onto memories and declutter your closet. ^{[23]
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Section 6 of 6:

Removing Dried Paint FAQs

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Try to scrape up as much paint as possible with a dull knife, the edge of a spoon, or another scraping tool. Pour some liquid detergent directly onto the paint stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a wet sponge or towel to blot up the liquid. Once the stain has been removed, place a towel over the damp area to soak up the moisture, then allow it to air dry. ^{[24]
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Water-soluble paints are usually pretty easy to remove from clothes, especially compared to oil-based paints. Water-soluble paints are designed to dissolve in water so they’re less likely to permanently stain your clothes. ^{[25]
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There are several household products that can remove paint stains. Alcohol or acetone can remove water-based paints, or try applying a paste made of baking soda and water. Even hairspray can do the trick if you’re in a pinch. Oil-based paints typically require something stronger, like turpentine, mineral spirits, or paint thinner. ^{[26]
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Quick Summary

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Tips

When using any products other than laundry detergent, be sure to test them in an inconspicuous area first to make sure they won’t harm or discolor your clothes.

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Warnings

If you use any flammable products, like paint thinner or turpentine, do not put the garment in the dryer. Instead, allow them to air dry. If you’re not sure if a product is flammable, air dry anyway to be safe.

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Do not use acetone on fabrics containing acetate or triacetate, or you risk melting the fabric.

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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
House Cleaning Professional

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Kamel Almani
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

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How to Remove Dried Paint from Clothes: Oil and Water-Based