Accidentally getting water-based paint on your clothes can be frustrating, but don’t panic—most stains can be treated successfully if you act quickly and use the right methods. Whether the paint is still wet or already dried, knowing how to remove it without spreading the stain is key. In this guide, we’ll walk you through effective techniques and safe cleaning solutions to help restore your clothes and prevent permanent damage.
How to Get Out Water Based Paint from Clothes
While the idea of discarding paint-stained clothes may seem terrible, there are some methods you can try before giving up. The key is to remove the paint without spreading it further.
To prevent the stain from spreading, start by scraping off the excess paint before cleaning. Whether the paint is dry or still wet, use a spoon, a metal spatula, or a similar tool to gently scrape off as much as possible. This will help minimize the risk of the paint spreading further into the fabric.
Does Water-Based Paint Come out of Clothes?
Removing a few drops of water-based paint from clothing is often successful. However, if a large amount of paint has spilled on your clothes, you might need to throw them away. This is because excessive paint stains can spread during the cleaning process.
What Removes Water-Based Paint from Clothes?
You can remove water-based paint from clothes using soap and water, rubbing alcohol, or vinegar and baking soda. Here are effective ways to tackle water-based paint on your clothes:
- Soap and Warm Water: If the paint is still wet, blot the excess with a paper towel and rinse the stain under warm water. Then, gently scrub with liquid dish soap or laundry detergent.
- Rubbing Alcohol or Acetone: If the paint has dried, apply some rubbing alcohol or acetone, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a cloth or brush.
- Vinegar and Baking Soda: Does vinegar remove paint from clothing? Vinegar may work for removing small paint stains, but it is not effective on tough stains. Make a paste with vinegar and baking soda, apply it to the stain, let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
- Stain Remover Spray: Spray a stain remover or pre-treatment solution on the stain before washing in warm water.
Aside from these methods, you can also use synthetic thinner or cellulosic thinner “Lacquer Thinner” to remove water-based paint stains from clothing. Synthetic thinner is better for delicate fabrics, while cellulosic thinner works well for tougher fabrics like denim. Dampen a cloth with thinner and gently rub the stained area in circular motions. If the stain doesn’t come out completely, repeat the process. “Related post: Can thinner remove paint?”
How to Remove Water Based Paint from Clothes?
Preventing the paint from drying is crucial when removing stains from clothing. You’ll have better results if you start the cleaning process before the water-based paint dries.
First, scrape off as much excess paint as possible using a hard object. Avoid getting the stain wet before scraping, as water can cause the paint to spread.
Dampen a clean cloth with soapy water, rubbing alcohol, acetone, vinegar, baking soda solution, synthetic thinner, or cellulosic thinner. Lightly work the stained spot in gentle circles. If the stain doesn’t come out completely, try switching to a different solution and repeat the process. You should see the stain fade quickly. Any remaining traces will likely disappear after washing the garment in the washing machine.
How to Get Dried Water-Based Paint off Clothes?
Before you start removing the dried water-based paint stain on the garment, you should always scrape off the dried paint. Then wipe with a cloth dampened with acetone or paint thinner.
Warnings and Precautions
- You can use both synthetic and cellulosic thinners to remove paint stains from clothing. However, cellulosic thinner “Lacquer Thinner” may also remove dye from some delicate fabrics. To be safe, test the thinner on an inconspicuous part of the garment before starting the stain removal process.
- Do not mix synthetic or cellulosic thinner with water, as this will reduce its stain-removal effectiveness.
- Do not mix different cleaning solutions together. Before switching to a new solution, make sure the previous one has completely dried.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we answer the most commonly asked questions about removing paint stains from clothes. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any other questions.
How to Remove Water-Based Acrylic Paint from Clothes?
Acrylic paints are a type of water-based paint. Therefore, you can use paint thinners, acetone and isopropyl alcohol to remove acrylic paint stains from clothing. Check out our guide comparing oil-based and water-based stains to learn more about water-based paints.
How Do You Get Water-Based Paint out of Kids Clothes?
Children can often get a lot of water-based paint on their clothes while painting. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have them wear old clothes or an apron as a precaution. This is because it’s not always possible to completely remove tough water-based paint stains once they’ve set into the fabric. “For detailed information, you can read how to remove acrylic paint from clothes.”
How to Remove Water Based Paint From Fabric?
To remove water-based paint from fabric, start by blotting the excess and rinsing the stain with warm water. If the paint is dry, try rubbing alcohol or acetone, applying it to the stain and scrubbing gently. You can also use a paste of vinegar and baking soda, letting it sit for 10–15 minutes before scrubbing. For tougher stains, synthetic or cellulosic thinner “Lacquer Thinner” can be used, depending on the fabric type. Just dampen a cloth with the thinner and rub the stain in circular motions.
