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A step-by-step guide for removing fabric paint stains from fabric
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Whether you've spilled fabric paint on a garment or need to remove fabric paint in order to rework your design, we're here to help. The most important thing to remember is to start treating the stain as soon as you can. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to remove fabric paint from clothes, including both wet and dry paint, as well as how to salvage clothes that are permanently stained. Plus, we share answers to other common questions about removing paint from fabric.
How to Get Fabric Paint Out of Clothes
For wet paint, blot up as much as possible with a paper towel, then flush the stain with cold water and hand wash with detergent. For dry paint, use a scraper to remove as much as possible, then apply an alcohol- or acetone-based solvent and scrub. For both wet and dry, finish by machine washing in cold water.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
How to Remove Wet Fabric Paint
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Remove any unabsorbed paint immediately. The sooner you start fighting the stain, the better your chances will be of getting it out. To remove unabsorbed paint, blot it up with a paper towel or gently scrape it off with a putty knife . This will help prevent the paint from spreading to clean sections of the fabric. Try not to rub the paint, as this will only make the stain worse. [1] X Research source
- Do not apply heat to the stain. Many fabric paints are set by heat, which means they do not fully harden until they are heated, usually by an iron. Do not apply heat of any kind, including hot water or tossing the garment in the dryer, until the stain is 100% removed.
- If you can’t take your stained clothes off immediately, try washing the paint stain out with them still on. This is better than allowing the paint to dry.
- Fabric paint is a water-based paint, very similar to acrylic paint. Because of this, most of the steps for removing fabric paint are the same as, or very similar to, how you would remove acrylic paint and any other water-based paints.
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Flush the stain with cold water. Once you’ve gotten as much paint off the surface of the fabric as possible, rinse the stained area under cold water until the water runs clear. It’s best to do this from the clean side of the fabric in order to avoid accidentally rubbing the paint into your clothing. [2] X Research source
- It’s important to use cold water to avoid setting the stain. If your fabric paint does not set with heat, it’s possible to rinse the stain with hot water, but be sure to read the paint’s label to make sure.
- Always read the care instructions before washing your fabric. If the tag on your garment says that dry cleaning is required, do not attempt to wash out the stain.
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Hand wash the stain with a detergent. Once the stain has been thoroughly flushed, apply laundry detergent (or dish soap) to the affected area. For best results, use one part detergent and one part water. Try rubbing the area with your hands, but if that isn’t effective enough, scrub with a sponge or a brush. Old toothbrushes work well for small stains. [3] X Research source
- Cleaning expert Susan Stocker says “it’s fairly easy” to clean acrylic, latex, and water-based paints “as long as the paint is still wet. Immediately put dishwashing liquid on it and scrub and rinse in cold water. [4]
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Expert Source
Susan Stocker
House Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
- Cleaning expert Susan Stocker says “it’s fairly easy” to clean acrylic, latex, and water-based paints “as long as the paint is still wet. Immediately put dishwashing liquid on it and scrub and rinse in cold water. [4]
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Expert Source
Susan Stocker
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Machine wash your clothes in cold water. When you’ve removed as much paint as possible by hand, toss the garment in the washing machine on a cold setting with plenty of detergent. This should get the rest of the stain out. If the clothing still has a stain after it comes out of the washing machine, let it air dry, then follow the steps for removing dried paint. [5] X Research source
- Do not use hot water to wash your clothes or put them in the dryer unless the stain is completely gone.
- Do not machine wash garments that call for dry cleaning or hand washing, as this may damage the fabric. Always follow the proper care instructions.
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Consider professional cleaning for delicate fabrics. For delicate fabrics, like silk, that cannot be washed at home, bring the garment to a professional for cleaning. Dry cleaning may also work for washable fabrics if you were unsuccessful at removing the stain yourself. Sometimes, however, paint stains are permanent, so there is no guarantee the dry cleaner will be able to remove them. [6] X Research source
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Section 2 of 4:
How to Remove Dry Fabric Paint
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Scrape off as much paint as you can. Before attempting to remove a dried paint stain with chemicals, remove as much paint as you can manually. Depending on the amount of paint that is on the fabric, scrape some off with a blunt scraper, like a putty knife, or use a brass wire brush or stiff nylon brush to remove as much as possible. [7] X Research source
- Be careful not to rip the fabric as you try to remove the paint. If none will come off, move on to the next step.
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Apply an alcohol-based solvent. Once you have removed as much excess paint as possible, soften the remaining paint with an alcohol-based solvent, like rubbing alcohol, turpentine , or mineral spirits . Apply a small amount directly to the paint to begin loosening it. For stubborn stains, let the solvent sit for a while before moving on to the next step. [8] X Research source
- If you don’t have any of these solvents on hand, try an acetone-based nail polish remover, hand sanitizer, or a hairspray that contains alcohol. Or, visit your local home improvement store to buy a cleaning product specifically designed for removing the type of paint you’re dealing with.
- Solvents are very harsh and can damage fabrics, especially those with natural fibers like silk and wool. Always test the solvent on a hidden area, like an inside seam, before using it.
- If your garment cannot be treated with solvents, take it to a dry cleaner to be professionally cleaned.
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Scrub the stain with a stiff-bristle brush. As the paint molecules begin to break down and soften from the solvent, scrub as much of the paint away as possible. Stiff-bristle brushes typically work best, so just be careful not to damage the fabric as you scrub. It may also help to scrub some laundry detergent and cold water onto the stain to help the process, especially once you’ve removed most of the paint. [9] X Research source
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Wash your clothes in cold water. When you’ve removed as much fabric paint as possible by hand, toss the stained garment in the washing machine and wash it in cold water with plenty of detergent. Do not use hot water, put the garment in the dryer, or use any kind of heat until you've removed all the paint as heat will set the stain. [10] X Research source
- Warning: if you used a harsh, flammable solvent like turpentine, hand wash the garment instead. Flammable substances contain vapors that could ignite or explode in a washing machine or dryer. [11] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source If you used lighter solvents, like rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, it’s safe to put in the washer. Just rinse the garment with water first to be safe.
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Take your clothes to the dry cleaner if all else fails. If you have no luck removing the stain on your own, taking it to the dry cleaner may help. Sometimes, the solvents used in dry cleaning are more effective at removing paint than what’s available to you at home. If professional cleaning still doesn’t work, the stain may be permanent. [12] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow can I remove nail polish from linen?Community AnswerA strong soap like Oxy clean will probably do it, or just use nail polish remover.
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QuestionCan I remove fabric paint from clothes with a stain-removing pen?Community AnswerIt depends on the severity of the paint stain. If it's thin and small, most likely, but if it's larger, speak to a professional.
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QuestionHow do I remove fabric paint from shoes?Community AnswerIf they are fabric shoes like Converse, use a sponge to dab nail polish remover on the area and leave it for a bit to sink in. Then use water and a cleaning solution to brush it out. If not fabric, then just put some nail polish remover on a cloth and rub it in; eventually the paint will loosen up and come off.
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Tips
- Sometimes it is just not possible to remove fabric paint from clothing, especially if you are dealing with delicate fabrics.Thanks
- If your stain does not seem to be coming out, try letting it soak in soapy water or a solvent.Thanks
- In the future, always wear work clothes when you are painting.Thanks
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Warnings
- If your clothing has wet paint on it, don't put anything else in the washing machine with it.Thanks
- Always read the care instructions on your clothes before attempting to remove stains. Delicate fabrics may not hold up to harsh cleaning methods.Thanks
- Solvents may cause the colors in your fabric to bleed, so it's best to test them in an inconspicuous area first.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/a-how-to-guide-to-getting-paint-out-of-clothes.html
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/a-how-to-guide-to-getting-paint-out-of-clothes.html
- ↑ https://www.milanartinstitute.com/blog/how-to-remove-paint-from-clothes
- ↑ Susan Stocker. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
- ↑ https://www.milanartinstitute.com/blog/how-to-remove-paint-from-clothes
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/how-does-dry-cleaning-work-8387797
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/get-paint-clothes.html
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/laundry/a-how-to-guide-to-getting-paint-out-of-clothes.html
- ↑ https://www.milanartinstitute.com/blog/how-to-remove-paint-from-clothes
- ↑ https://www.milanartinstitute.com/blog/how-to-remove-paint-from-clothes
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/washing-machines/smarter-things-to-never-put-in-your-washing-machine-a3442461897/
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/how-does-dry-cleaning-work-8387797
- ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/4-h320-32.pdf
- ↑ https://www.handyart.com/pdf/fabric-paint-instructions.pdf
- ↑ https://swoodsonsays.com/20-creative-ways-to-hide-stains-on-clothes/
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/in-the-home/best-ways-to-reuse-old-jeans-around-the-home.html
- ↑ https://www.handyart.com/pdf/fabric-paint-instructions.pdf
- ↑ https://sewdorks.com/how-to-get-fabric-paint-out-of-clothes/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-paint-from-carpet/
- ↑ https://www.milanartinstitute.com/blog/how-to-remove-paint-from-clothes
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/stain-removal-guide
- ↑ Susan Stocker. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/washing-machines/smarter-things-to-never-put-in-your-washing-machine-a3442461897/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To remove wet fabric paint from your clothes, start by blotting it with a paper towel or gently scraping it off with a putty knife. Once you’ve gotten as much paint off the surface of the fabric as possible, hold the affected area under cold water until it runs clear. After you flush the stain, hand wash it with equal parts detergent and water to remove the paint. When you get as much paint off as possible, machine wash your clothes on a cold setting with plenty of detergent. Check your clothes after the wash cycle and only put it in the dryer if the paint is completely gone. To learn how to remove dry fabric paint from your clothes, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I got navy fabric paint on my favorite light yellow t-shirt. By the time I finished hand washing it, there was no trace of the navy." ..." more
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"I got navy fabric paint on my favorite light yellow t-shirt. By the time I finished hand washing it, there was no trace of the navy."
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"Alcohol-based solvent worked."
