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Getting latex paint on a favorite piece of clothing can be quite frustrating. If you recently brushed up against a freshly painted wall or perhaps dribbled some yellow paint on a new sweater, don't despair! Depending on the severity of the stain and the fabric involved, you can tackle latex paint stains with detergent, rubbing alcohol, paint thinner, or even hair spray!
Steps
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Dampen the fabric with warm water. Moisten a clean rag with some warm water. Using your rag, you can dab the stained fabric to get it a little bit wet. [1] X Research source
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Pour rubbing alcohol over the stain. Although there are many ways of removing latex paint, by far the most effective solution is rubbing alcohol. Open a bottle of rubbing or isopropyl alcohol. Pour a liberal amount of alcohol over the stain. [2] X Expert Source Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.- If you have a clean garden sprayer, you can put the rubbing alcohol in it and then spray the stain. [3] X Research source
- If the paint has been on there for a while, let the alcohol soak for a few minutes to break it up.
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Rub the fabric against itself. Once the stained fabric has been thoroughly doused with alcohol, you can rub the fabric against itself to begin removing the stain. Simply rub one part of the fabric against another part of it.
- If needed, you can apply more isopropyl alcohol at this stage.
- Unless you're working with a delicate fabric, it should stand up to some vigorous scrubbing.
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Use a laundry brush to scrub the stain out. Depending on the size of the latex paint stain, you can use a laundry brush or even a toothbrush. Brush the isopropyl alcohol into the stain to remove the paint. [4] X Research source [5] X Expert Source Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.- If you prefer, you can use a pumice stone instead of a brush. [6] X Research source
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Rinse out the stain with warm water. Run some warm water over a clean rag. Wipe off the paint and the rubbing alcohol. At this stage, you may prefer to simply run water over the stained fabric in your laundry sink. [7] X Research source
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Put the stained clothing item in the washing machine. After removing the latex paint stain, you should put the clothing item in the washing machine. Follow the directions for laundering the item, as directed on the clothing label. By laundering the item, you will remove any remaining latex paint and alcohol from the fabric. [8] X Research source
- Launder stained clothing in hot water.
- You should wash the stained item on its own, since you don't want the latex to get on other clothing items.
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Flush the latex paint stain with warm water. Place the stained part of the fabric under a tap with running warm water. [9] X Expert Source Rani Gorgis
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist Expert Interview. 7 April 2021. Try to get out as much of the latex paint as you can, especially if the stain is fresh. [10] X Research source -
Test the fabric to make sure it is color-safe. Pour some liquid dish detergent onto the inseam of the piece of clothing you want to clean. Rub the detergent into the inseam and see if any color comes out. If nothing comes out, you know the fabric is color-safe and you can proceed with using dish detergent to remove the stain. [11] X Research source
- If the fabric is not color-safe, you'll need to take the item to a professional dry cleaner.
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Prepare a detergent solution with one-part detergent and one-part water. Because dishwashing detergents are made to break up oils, they can help to dissolve latex paint. Mix one-part dishwashing detergent with one-part water. [12] X Research source
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Moisten a sponge with the detergent solution and apply it to the fabric. Allow it to soak in for three minutes. Then, use a clean cloth or fabric brush to scrub out the stain. [13] X Research source
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Work up a lather with a sponge. Using your sponge, rub away at the stain until you get a nice lather. Continue to scrub the stain until the paint is no longer visible. [14] X Research source
- You can reapply the detergent mixture and try again, if necessary.
- If you can't get rid of the paint using detergent, you'll need to use rubbing alcohol.
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Rinse and launder the clothing item. Run warm water over the stain until all of the soap and the paint are gone. Finally, throw the item in the washing machine. [15] X Research source
- To launder the item, follow the directions listed on the clothing label.
- You should launder the stained clothing separate from your regular washing load.
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Spray a small stain with hairspray. Lay your clothes on a flat surface. Douse the small stain with hairspray. Leave it for a few minutes so the alcohol can break up the paint, and then come back and do a bit of scrubbing with a fabric brush. When you're finished, launder the clothing as you normally would, and finish with a run through the dryer.
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Scrub the stain with gel hand sanitizer. Squirt some hand sanitizer onto the small stain. Then, you can scrub the stain with a toothbrush to get the latex off your clothes! Since hand sanitizer contains rubbing alcohol and is portable, this is a quick and efficient way of addressing paint stains when they happen. [16] X Research source
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Scrub the stain with paint thinner. Pour half a cup of paint thinner into a yogurt container. Saturate a clean rag in the container. Use the rag to scrub off the latex paint. When the rag gets dirty, you can squeeze out the excess liquid into a separate yogurt container. Continue scrubbing until all of the paint is gone. [17] X Research source
- If the stain is very bad, you can pour the paint thinner directly onto the fabric.
- Keep in mind that paint thinner may damage more delicate clothing.
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Use a specialty cleaning product to remove difficult stains. There are certain cleaners, like “goo-gone” or “goof off,” which are made to get rid of the sticky materials. If you have a specialty cleaning product, you should use it in a well-ventilated area, since the smell is often quite strong. Apply the specialty cleaning product and let it soak in the stain for two minutes. You can scrub off the stain with a pumice stone or other scrubbing implement. Finally, rinse and launder the item. [18] X Research source
- If necessary, you can repeat the process.
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Use rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to remove a small stain. If you are cleaning a small stain, you can use cotton balls with rubbing alcohol. Place a cotton ball on top of a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Turn the bottle upside down to soak the ball. Then, you can use the cotton ball to scrub off a small stain.
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Apply lavender oil to small latex stains. Although relatively expensive in comparison to rubbing alcohol, you can use lavender oil to get rid of small latex stains. Put between five and seven drops of lavender on the stain. Wait for the lavender to work its magic, which should take around half an hour. At this stage, you can scrub off the stain with spoon. [19] X Research source
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Scrape off excess paint with a butter knife. Although a knife could easily damage thinner and more delicate fabrics, you can use a butter knife to scrape latex off denim and thicker fabrics. Put the clothing on a sturdy work surface, such as an ironing board. Pointing the knife away from you, apply pressure to the fabric and scrape off the blobs of latex paint. [20] X Research source
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Apply duct tape to the stained fabric. As long as the paint is dry, you can use duct tape to remove excess latex paint. Cut a piece of duct tape. Place it over the latex paint and press it firmly against the fabric. Finally, pull off the duct tape to remove bits of latex paint! [21] X Research source
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Use a disposable razor to remove latex stains from thicker fabrics. Although a disposable razor will damage cotton, silk, and other sensitive fabrics, you can use it to remove latex stains from wool and denim. Place the clothing on a sturdy surface, such as an ironing board. Use the razor to scrape the latex paint off the fabric.
- It is best to use an old or dull razor, since a new one could damage your clothing.
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Try scratching the paint off with an emery board. If you're working with a thick fabric and a small amount of paint, you may be able to scratch or rub it off with the aid of a basic emery board or fine grit sandpaper. Carefully scrub at the paint, using your nail to scratch out any ingrained paint. Finish with a wash and dry cycle.
- Be gentle as your scrub, otherwise you may accidentally scratch a hole into the fabric along with removing the paint.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow can I get dried latex house paint off of a pair of boxers? I've washed and dried them twice already with no effect.Community AnswerI had a pair of jeans that had been washed many times after being stained with paint and I used the rubbing alcohol method above. It came right off!
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QuestionHow do I remove red paint from a blue shirt?Community AnswerTry and use Vanish Gold. Wet the stain and apply half a spoon of Vanish Gold and rub it in well, then rinse. Then pop it in the wash with another spoon of Vanish Gold (or a little more) and your regular detergent.
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QuestionI was moving my ladder and forgot I had my black latex paint on it, and my paint spilled onto my white sheet. I used hand soap, hot water, and rubbing alcohol on it. How do I get it out?Community AnswerGet paint thinner or use alcohol rubbing paint thinners.
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Tips
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Thanks
- If you have a 'dot' or splatter of paint, you may be able to peel or scratch it off.Thanks
- You can use an old toothbrush to scrub away small latex stains.Thanks
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Warnings
- If you use pumice or a knife to scrape off latex stains, there is a risk of damaging your clothing, especially cotton and silk items.Thanks
- The longer you wait to remove a latex paint stain, the more difficult it will be to remove.Thanks
- If you use a razor blade to scrape off latex stains, you could easily cut your clothing by accident.Thanks
- Using chemicals like lacquer thinner can be dangerous, since it is extremely flammable as well as toxic.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Paint thinner
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Dishwashing detergent
- Lavender oil
- Hand sanitizer
- Pumice stone
- Razor blade
- Toothbrush
- Laundry brush
- Duct tape
- Sponge
- Clean rag
References
- ↑ http://tidymom.net/2014/how-to-get-paint-out-of-clothes/
- ↑ Rani Gorgis. Laundry & Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.
- ↑ http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/how-to-remove-paint-from-clothing-2394.html
- ↑ http://tidymom.net/2014/how-to-get-paint-out-of-clothes/
- ↑ Rani Gorgis. Laundry & Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.
- ↑ https://pioneerthinking.com/removing-dried-latex-paint-from-denim/
- ↑ http://tidymom.net/2014/how-to-get-paint-out-of-clothes/
- ↑ http://tidymom.net/2014/how-to-get-paint-out-of-clothes/
- ↑ Rani Gorgis. Laundry & Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 April 2021.
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17273/stains-paint-latex-may07/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-paint-from-clothes/#.WVvwaBPyso8
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17273/stains-paint-latex-may07/
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17273/stains-paint-latex-may07/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-paint-from-clothes/#.WVvwaBPyso8
- ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a17273/stains-paint-latex-may07/
- ↑ http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/how-to-get-paint-out-of-clothes
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-paint-from-clothes/#.WVwF_BPyso8
- ↑ https://pioneerthinking.com/removing-dried-latex-paint-from-denim/
- ↑ http://everything-lavender.com/using-lavender-oil-as-paint-remover.html
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-paint-from-clothes/#.WVvwaBPyso8
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-paint-from-clothes/#.WVvwaBPyso8
- ↑ http://everything-lavender.com/using-lavender-oil-as-paint-remover.html
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To remove latex paint from clothes, start by dampening the stained fabric with some warm water. Then, pour a liberal amount of rubbing or isopropyl alcohol over the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. While you wait, rub the fabric against itself to help break up the paint. You can also scrub the stain with a scrub brush or an old toothbrush. After a few minutes, rinse out the stain with warm water and machine wash it by itself on a hot water setting. To learn how to remove latex paint from clothes using dish detergent, scroll down!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I spilled paint on my jeans about a year ago and knew that if I dried them, the stain would set in and probably never come out. In a last minute pre-traveling moment I found this article, attempted the dish washing liquid option, and voila! It worked! I would recommend this option to anyone who has had paint dry into their clothing, as long as it hasn't been put into the dryer. :)" ..." more
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"I spilled paint on my jeans about a year ago and knew that if I dried them, the stain would set in and probably never come out. In a last minute pre-traveling moment I found this article, attempted the dish washing liquid option, and voila! It worked! I would recommend this option to anyone who has had paint dry into their clothing, as long as it hasn't been put into the dryer. :)"
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"I had gotten latex paint on my polyester shorts. I tried the rubbing alcohol on the paint spots, waited a few minutes, and scrubbed with a toothbrush. Almost all of it came right off! A second try for the bit that remained basically got all of the paint off. I am very happy about the result. the fabric was undamaged."
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"Musical in 2 days, dress rehearsal is tomorrow, and paint stains from painting sets are all over stage crew uniforms. No clue how to get them off. I checked my go-to site, wikiHow, and now everything is perfect. Thanks, wikiHow. "
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"My son got paint on his pants. Our immediate thought was to soak them, but I looked up this article, tried rubbing alcohol, and it was amazing! 2 minutes and a large (4 x 6 inches) paint stain was gone!"
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"I had been painting with latex paint, and someone spilled paint on my jacket (nylon). I wiped it off, but it didn't all come off! Now I will send it through the washing machine and see how it comes out."
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