How to Get Paint out of Clothes: 10 Proven Methods

Spilt some paint on your favourite outfit? Whether you are dealing with fresh splashes or stubborn, dried-on stains, you can easily rescue your clothes using everyday household items. Here is our guide to getting paint out of clothes at home.

When tackling these stains, safety should always come first: some of the stronger solvents can ruin delicate fabrics or irritate your skin. Make sure you put on a pair of rubber gloves before using heavy-duty stain removers or acetone. For more handy tips on saving your clothes, read on.

Paint Types

To choose the most effective removal method, you first need to identify the type of paint you are dealing with.

General Stain Removal Advice

We have put together some golden rules to help you clear those marks quickly and effectively.

• Do not wait. Paint molecules quickly bind with the fibres of the fabric. The longer you leave a stain, the harder it will be to lift.
• Identify the stain. It makes a big difference whether your clothes are stained with emulsion, gloss paint or kids’ poster paint. Knowing the type of paint helps you select the right treatment.
• Avoid dry rubbing. It is tempting to grab a dry tissue or tea towel to wipe away fresh paint, but the friction can rub the pigment even deeper into the weave.
• Step away from the tumble dryer. Never put the garment in the dryer until the stain is completely gone. High heat will bake the paint into the fabric permanently.
• Get creative. If a stain refuses to budge, do not throw the garment away. Cover it up with a trendy iron-on patch, a brooch, or some stylish embroidery.

Home Remedies to Get Paint out of Clothes

Here are the best household items you can use to lift those stubborn marks.

Read more:

How to wash a down jacket in the washing machine without ruining it

1. Surgical Spirit (Rubbing Alcohol)

Surgical spirit is fantastic at breaking down many types of paint stains.

1. Blot any excess wet paint from the fabric using a damp cloth or kitchen roll.
2. Soak a cotton pad or clean rag in surgical spirit. Gently dab the stain, working from the outside in so you do not spread the mark.
3. Once the paint has dissolved, rinse the area in cold water and pop it in the washing machine as normal.

2. Acetone (or Nail Polish Remover)

This is the active ingredient in most nail polish removers, making it very easy to find around the house.

1. Always test a drop of acetone on an inconspicuous area first (like the inside of a hem) to ensure it does not bleach or damage the fabric.
2. If safe, apply a small amount of acetone to a cotton pad.
3. Gently dab the paint stain, moving from the outer edges towards the centre.
4. Rinse thoroughly in cold water and wash.

3. White Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda

This classic eco-cleaning duo works wonders on water-based paints.

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and cold water ($1:1$) to dilute the acid.
2. Dab the mixture onto the stain until the fabric is well saturated.
3. Sprinkle a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda over the wet area (it will fizz slightly).
4. Leave it to work its magic for 10–15 minutes.
5. Gently scrub the spot with an old toothbrush.
6. Rinse thoroughly with cold water.

Read more:

How to clean an iron to remove burn marks and limescale: 10 easy hacks

4. Washing-up Liquid (e.g. Fairy Liquid)

This kitchen staple is designed to cut through grease, but it is also brilliant on fresh paint.

1. Apply a few drops of concentrated washing-up liquid directly to the stain.
2. Leave it to sit for 10–15 minutes.
3. Gently scrub with an old toothbrush to work the soap deep into the fibres. Repeat if necessary.
4. Rinse with cold water and wash.

5. White Spirit or Paint Thinner

You can easily pick this up at any local DIY store (such as B&Q or Homebase).

1. Place a clean, dry towel or thick cardboard underneath the stain (inside the garment) to stop the solvent bleeding through and damaging your work surface.
2. Dampen a cloth or cotton pad with white spirit and dab the stain from the edges inward.
3. If the paint is stubborn, apply a few drops directly and leave for 5–10 minutes.
4. Once the paint has dissolved, rinse thoroughly and wash the garment.

Proven Methods: Fresh vs. Dried Paint

How to Remove Fresh Paint

The golden rule is to act fast before the paint has a chance to dry.

1. Carefully scrape off any excess wet paint using a spoon or blunt knife. Do not rub, as this pushes the paint deeper into the fabric.
2. Flush the area with cold running water to slow down the drying process.
3. Apply one of the household remedies listed above.
4. If the stain is still visible, soak the garment in cold water before trying again with a solvent.
5. Wash the item in the washing machine.

Here are a few more handy household tricks that can save the day:

A. Soap and Water (e.g. Household Soap or Gall Soap)

1. Wet the stained area with cold water.
2. Rub a bar of household soap (such as laundry soap or gall soap) vigorously over the stain. If the fabric is tough (like denim), use a laundry brush.
3. Rinse with cold water and repeat until the stain disappears.

B. Toothpaste

1. Apply a small dollop of standard white toothpaste (not gel) to the stain.
2. Gently scrub with an old toothbrush. You can add a bit of laundry soap to boost the cleaning power.
3. Once the stain has lifted, wash the garment in the washing machine.

C. Laundry Powder

1. Remove any excess wet paint.
2. Sprinkle washing powder over the stain, then add a tiny splash of cold water to create a thick paste.
3. Leave the paste on the fabric for 5–10 minutes (you can add a pinch of table salt to act as a mild abrasive).
4. Rinse. If any colour remains, apply a little liquid detergent directly to the spot before washing.

How to Remove Dried Paint

Dried paint is much tougher to remove and requires stronger products and a gentle hand to avoid tearing the fabric.

• Always wet the fabric first to soften the dried paint crust.
• Take your time: aggressive scrubbing on dry fabric can ruin the fibres and cause holes.
• You may need to repeat the process 2 or 3 times to completely lift the stain.

1. Turpentine or White Spirit

You can find these in the shed or at your local DIY store.

1. Carefully scrape away the crusty top layer of dried paint using a blunt butter knife or a plastic scraper.
2. Lay the garment flat with an old towel underneath the stain to absorb the dissolved paint.
3. Dampen a clean cloth or cotton pad with turpentine or white spirit.
4. Gently dab the stain (working from the edges towards the centre).
5. Swap the cotton pad for a clean one as it lifts the colour.
6. Once the stain has cleared, rinse thoroughly in cold water to remove the strong solvent smell.
7. Wash the garment in the washing machine. It is best to wash it on its own so the chemical smell does not transfer to other clothes.

2. Commercial Stain Remover (e.g. Vanish)

A gentler option than white spirit, but you should still wear gloves.

1. Scrape off the dried surface layer of paint with a plastic scraper.
2. Test the stain remover on a hidden seam first.
3. Apply the remover to the stain after soaking the area in cold water.
4. Leave it to sit (15–20 minutes is usually enough, but you can leave it for up to an hour for tough stains).
5. Scrub gently with an old toothbrush.
6. Rinse with cold water and wash.

What NOT to Use (it won’t work!)

Avoid using these popular internet “hacks”, as they can actually make the stain permanent or ruin your clothes:

• Hot water: The heat cooks the proteins and polymers in acrylic or emulsion paint, setting the stain permanently.
• Perfume or aftershave: The alcohol content is too low, and the added oils will leave greasy residue.
• Hairspray: Modern hairsprays rarely contain enough alcohol to dissolve paint and will leave a sticky resin behind.
• Shampoo.
• Flour.

Quick Stain-Busting Guide