How To Get Paint Stain Out of Clothes Quickly, Step by Step

When we moved into our house, every single surface needed to be painted. From deck painting to bedroom, to cabinets to ceilings, you name it, I’ve painted it. During this period in my life, I had to get really good at how to get paint out of clothes. I was tired of losing another shirt or pair of jeans simply because I had to touch up some paint. My methods for removing paint stains have worked for me, but it’s best to start when your paint stain is wet, so hurry up and get down to my best methods. 

Important Tips for Removing Paint Stain

Before you start trying to remove the stain, here are a few tips that will help you be more successful and not create a bigger mess to clean up.

• The paint contains both pigment and a binding-type solution; as it dries, the binder and the primer join together and stick themselves to the fabric; the quicker you act, the easier it is to avoid a permanent stain
• Always know what type of paint you are working with (oil, water, acrylic, etc.)
• Test stain removal solutions on an inconspicuous area of clothing in case it causes issues with color
• Don’t scrape fabric or try to chip and peel the paint; it will result in damaged fabric

A Note About Water Temperature and Paint Stains on Clothes 

When getting paint out of clothes the water temperature you use to treat the paint can impact its effectiveness. 

• Latex based stains: cold water on fresh stains and warm water on stubborn or dried 
• Oil based stains: warm water 
• Acrylic based stains: cold or warm water, stay away from hot 

Jump to:
Remove Water Based or Latex Paint From Clothing
Remove Oil Based Paint From Clothing
Remove Acrylic Paint From Clothing

How To Remove Water Based or Latex Paint From Clothing 

Latex paint has water in it, which makes it easy to remove when it’s wet. However, as the latex paint dries, it hardens or cures, and then the process for removing dried paint is a bit more involved. 

How To Remove Fresh and Wet Stain

Materials

• Damp cloth
• Cold water
• Dish soap 

Steps

1. Use a damp cloth to blot away as much of the excess paint as you can 
2. Hold the clothing under cold running water and rinse out as much of the paint as possible
3. Rub several drops of dish soap into the water based paint and work on it from the front and back of the material 
4. Rinse with cold water and repeat until the stain releases 
5. Launder in cold with like colors, and check to ensure all of the stain is removed before putting in the dryer 

How To Remove Dried Stain

Materials

• Plastic knife
• Warm water
• Laundry detergent
• Bowl or sink
• Hydrogen peroxide 

Steps

1. Fill a sink, tub, or bowl with a mixture of warm water and a few drops of laundry detergent (learn how to make your own detergent)
2. Use a plastic knife to remove as much of the excess paint as possible, do not work too hard at the dried on paint; you will create pulls and tears in the fabric; make sure it is a dull knife you are using
3. Place the clothing and whatever stain remains in your warm water and liquid laundry detergent solution
4. Let it sit for about half an hour, or soak overnight if needed
5. Rinse with warm water again, working your fingers through the dried paint to loosen it 
6. Soak again and repeat. If the paint remains lodged in the fabric, spray with a bit of hydrogen peroxide and then repeat the process

How To Remove Stubborn Stain

Materials

• Denatured alcohol (I recommend a paint thinner like Klean-Strip)
• Warm water
• Rag or paper towel 

Steps

1. Work in a well-ventilated area 
2. Test a few drops of denatured alcohol in an inconspicuous area of the clothing
3. Put Klean-Strip, or any paint thinner, on a rag and blot the area with the stain 
4. Let the stain remover work for a few minutes, and then rinse with warm water
5. Repeat this process on water based paint until the stain releases, you can switch to a commercial based paint thinner, but it can damage, weaken and break down your clothing, stick with denatured alcohol as a stain remover if you can

How To Remove Oil Based Paint From Clothing  

Oil based stains love to bond with the fabrics and materials of our clothing. Once that bonding happens with oil based paints, it’s really hard for water to have any impact on the removal of the paint. Again, try to work with wet paint here as often as you can to avoid a lengthy stain removal process. 

How To Remove Fresh and Wet Stain

Materials

• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Cleaning cloth 

Steps

1. Use paper towels to soak up as much of the fresh paint as you can. Don’t rub; instead, blot or wipe away the stain, confining it to one area
2. Immediately run the stained clothing under warm water and work dish soap directly into the stain; the dish soap will help ensure those molecular bonds do not form 
3. Continue to rinse with warm water and add more dish soap as needed until the stain is gone 

How To Remove Dried Stain

Materials

• Mineral spirits
• Clean cloth
• Warm water 

Steps

1. Use a dull knife to see if there is any paint that will chip off easily 
2. Hold the stained area under warm running water and let it loosen up 
3. Spot test mineral spirits on an inconspicuous area of the fabric to see if it causes any discoloration to the fabric fibers
4. Place mineral spirits on a clean cloth and dab the stain 
5. Rinse the stain vigorously with warm water and repeat 
6. Launder in a warm wash, and check to make sure the stain is removed before placing in the dryer

How To Remove Stubborn Stain

Material

• Commercial stain remover (I recommend Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover or Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam)

Steps

1. Removing stains from clothing with oil based paint sometimes requires commercial stain removers, two options to consider are Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover and Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Each of these stain removers has had positive results on oil based paint stains
2. Test a small area before applying it to the clothing 
3. Remove dried paint with a dull knife
4. Spray with the solution and follow directions accordingly 
5. Let the clothing sit in a solution of half warm water and half detergent for one hour 
6. Launder, check for stains, and repeat if necessary before placing in the dryer 

How To Remove Acrylic Paint From Clothing

One of the most common types of acrylic paint stains you will see is from finger paints. Those paints wind up everywhere, and they are hard to remove. Acrylic has polymers that adhere to your clothing, and sometimes things like liquid detergent and water can’t break those bonds. 

How To Remove Fresh and Wet Stain

Materials

• Cold water
• Dish soap
• Clean rag
• Paper towels 

Steps

1. Use paper towels to remove as much of the acrylic paint as you can
2. Immediately rinse the stain with cold water
3. Apply dish soap to a rag and work the dish soap into the stained area 
4. Rinse again with cold water; act quickly to apply the water mixture and soap so the stain does not set 
5. Launder and check for stains before putting them in the dryer

How To Remove Dried Stain

• Warm water
• Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
• Putty knife or dull knife

Steps

1. Use a dull knife to remove as much of the finger paint or acrylic craft paint as you can; be careful not to damage the clothing 
2. Apply isopropyl alcohol to a clean rag and blot the stain; if you find that you need more, you can apply it to the stain and the surrounding area more generously 
3. Let the isopropyl alcohol sit for 20 to 30 minutes
4. Rinse with warm water and repeat the process if necessary 

How To Remove Stubborn Stain

Materials

• Nail polish remover
• Cold water
• Heavy duty laundry detergent

Steps

1. Check a small area of the clothes or test the garment inside to ensure that nail polish remover doesn’t cause damage. Polyester, nylon, cotton, and wool are less likely to be affected by nail polish remover
2. Pre-treat the stain with nail polish remover directly on the stained area; use a cotton ball or paper towel to apply it 
3. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and treat one more time 
4. Place in the washing machine and wash with a heavy-duty laundry detergent for stain removal; I like Arm and Hammer with OxiClean
5. Remove and check clothes for the stain, repeat if necessary, or bring to a dry cleaner for more advanced methods 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I Use Hairspray To Remove Paint Stains From Clothes?

Hairspray can work to remove oil based paint from clothes as it often contains alcohol. The best method would be to thoroughly rinse the stain and then apply hair spray and blot the area with a clean rag or paper towel. Rinse the hairspray off before laundering. 

Can Vinegar Remove Paint Stains From Clothes?

Vinegar can be effective with removing water based paints from clothes. Rinse the clothing so that there is no more paint running off of the area. Then, use a toothbrush coated in vinegar to gently scrub the stain, rinse with water, and repeat. 

What Should I Do if the Paint Stain Doesn’t Come Out After Trying the Recommended Methods?

If the stain is stubborn, it’s time to call in the professional. While you can remove water based paint on your own, most of the time, oil and acrylic stains may require getting a professional involved. Go to your local dry cleaner and see what they recommend to treat the stain. 

How To Prevent Paint Stains in the Future?

One of the best ways to prevent paint stains in the future is to wear a smock or a piece of clothing that you do not worry about. In addition, keep a cold, wet rag nearby when painting. As soon as the paint gets on your clothing, wipe it off, and you will end up with fewer stains to fight.