First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Act while the paint is wet; latex that has dried for 6 to 8 hours is very hard to remove.
- If you can't treat oil-based paint right away, wrap the item in plastic or airtight wrap.
- Blot liquid paint and gently scrape thick paint with a rounded spoon.
- Check the can for the thinner it recommends, and test any solvent on a hidden spot first.
Clothes give you a short window with paint, and it closes as the paint dries. Latex responds to water and detergent, and it can be soaked and washed out, but once it dries the stain may stay for good. Dry-clean-only pieces, or stains covering a large area, belong with a professional dry cleaner rather than the washing machine.
Keep acrylic paint on clothes out of the dryer, since heat locks it into the fibers. Rinse from the back of the fabric so the paint pushes out instead of deeper in. For oil paint out of clothes, pretreat with a prewash stain remover and check the stain is gone before drying.
Before you start
What clothes can take
Safe to use3
- Water
- Soaking
- Enzyme cleaners
Use with care6
- Hot water
- Chlorine bleach
- Oxygen bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid1
- Heat, once the stain is out
9 items
What you'll need
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- Clean white cloths or paper towelsBlot the paint without pushing it deeper into the fabric. (opens Amazon)
- Rounded spoonLifts thick paint off the surface without tearing the fabric.
- Liquid hand dishwashing detergentLoosens latex and oil-based paint so it can be rinsed out. (opens Amazon)
- Commercial pre-wash spotPretreats latex paint before the wash. (opens Amazon)
- Stain remover (opens Amazon)
- Heavy-duty liquid detergentCarries loosened paint out in the wash. (opens Amazon)
- Commercial cleaner for spongingLifts oil-based paint before the solvent treatment.
- Thinner recommended on the paint can, or mineral spiritsDissolves oil-based paint when the label is gone. (opens Amazon)
- Plastic wrap or airtight bagKeeps unfinished stains from drying while you get ready. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Blot and scrape off the paint
Blot any liquid paint with a clean cloth. For thick paint, gently scrape with a rounded spoon, working from the edges toward the center so it doesn't spread. Then check the can or label to see whether the paint is latex or oil-based, because that decides which steps to follow.
Tip. If you can't start right away, wrap the garment in plastic or airtight wrap so the paint doesn't dry.
Step 2 of 6
Sponge wet latex paint with water
Latex paint is water-based, so while it is still wet you can sponge the spot with cool water and work in a little liquid hand dishwashing detergent. Rinse the area well, then keep sponging until no more paint lifts out. If the paint is oil-based, skip this step and go to the solvent treatment.
Careful. Latex paint that dries may become permanent, so treat it while it is wet.
Step 3 of 6
Pretreat and soak latex stains
Treat the spot with a commercial pre-wash spot and stain remover, following the product's directions. Then soak the garment in cool water to loosen the paint before you wash it.
Careful. Leave pre-wash products on only as long as the label says; gels on bright or fluorescent items should come off within a few minutes.
Step 4 of 6
Wash latex stains in heavy-duty detergent
Once the spot has lifted, launder the garment in heavy-duty liquid detergent at the hottest wash temperature the care label recommends. Air dry the item and check the spot in good light, and repeat the treatment if any paint is left.
Step 5 of 6
Treat oil-based paint with the thinner
Sponge the spot with a commercial cleaner and rinse it out. Then work the thinner recommended on the can into the stain from the wrong side, or use mineral spirits if the label or container is gone.
Careful. Test any solvent on a hidden spot first, and work with good ventilation and no open flame, pilot light or sparks nearby.
Step 6 of 6
Work in detergent and soak overnight
While the stain is still wet with the solvent, work liquid detergent into it. If paint remains, soak the garment overnight in hot water, launder it, and repeat the solvent treatment if needed.
Careful. Use hot water only if the care label allows it; if it doesn't, skip the hot soak and take the garment to a dry cleaner.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for paint on clothes
Look for a commercial pre-wash spot and stain remover and a heavy-duty liquid detergent. For oil-based paint, the thinner recommended on the can is the product to buy.
Utopia Kitchen White Flour Sack Towels
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on clothes, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light before using any heat. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
See what to do for what you're seeing →If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
You'll know the treatment is working when paint starts to lift onto your cloth or sponge and the spot stops feeling stiff. Keep switching to a clean part of the cloth as it picks up paint, and stop if the fabric starts to look thin or change color.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your clothes
Acrylic paint
Check the label on acrylic paint first: if it says water-based, follow the latex steps, and if it says oil-based or solvent-based, follow the oil steps. Blot the wet paint and lift off as much as you can with a rounded spoon before it dries on the fabric.
If the paint has already dried, the set-in section explains what is realistic, because dried paint can become permanent. Don't guess at the paint type; read the label, or treat a hidden spot first.
Dried paint
Dried paint is much harder to remove, and latex that has been dry for 6 to 8 hours is very difficult to lift. Gently scrape off any crusted paint with a rounded spoon, working from the edges toward the center, then try the warm vinegar soak from the set-in section.
Oil-based paint can still respond to the thinner recommended on the can, so use that solvent after scraping. Some dried paint won't come out completely, so decide early whether a professional cleaner is worth it.
Fabric, craft and kids' paint
Fabric, craft and kids' paints vary, so the label is your best guide. If it says water-based or washable, follow the latex steps, and if it says oil-based or solvent-based, follow the oil steps.
If the label is missing or unclear, don't guess with heat or hot water. Blot the wet paint, then test a hidden spot with a little cool water and detergent: if the paint lifts, use the latex steps, and if it doesn't, move to the oil steps and test the thinner on that same hidden spot first.
Latex paint
Latex is water-based and easiest to remove while it is still wet, so the sponge step should come first on any fresh spill. Latex that has been dry for a while needs the set-in approach instead.
The pre-wash product and the cool-water soak loosen the paint, and the heavy-duty wash carries away what's left. Treat the spot the same way whether it came from a shirt, a pair of jeans or a jacket lining.
Oil-based paint
Oil-based paint won't wash out with water, so it needs the thinner recommended on the can. If the can or label is gone, mineral spirits is the fallback solvent.
The overnight hot-water soak only applies when the care label allows hot water. If it doesn't, skip that soak and take the item to a dry cleaner.
Jeans, shirts and jackets
Heavier fabrics like denim and canvas handle a firmer blot better than thin shirts do, but they still shouldn't be scrubbed hard. Turn the garment inside out so you treat the paint from the back and don't push it deeper into the weave.
Jackets often have linings, zips and trims, so spot-test those areas before any solvent touches them. If the jacket is leather or suede, follow the Leather guide or the Suede & Nubuck guide instead.
Paint stains, spots and marks
Small spots and dots are the easiest, so treat them before the paint has a chance to dry on the fabric. Wide streaks or large splashes take longer, and the paint can work deeper into the fabric as you go.
For a large area, a bulky item or a fragile fabric, take it to a dry cleaner rather than soaking the whole garment at home.
Wall, house and primer paint
If the can says water-based, follow the latex steps while the paint is still wet. Check the can carefully, because a primer or oil-based product needs the thinner from the can instead of water and detergent.
If the paint has already dried on the fabric, don't keep repeating the same steps for hours; move to the set-in section and decide whether a dry cleaner is the better choice.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old paint is harder to lift than fresh paint, and the steps above work best on a spot you can still wet. For stubborn stains that remain after the overnight soak, the solvent treatment can be repeated after the garment has been rinsed. For older water-based stains, soak the spot for 30 minutes in 1 quart warm water with 1/2 teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon white vinegar, but test a hidden area first because vinegar can weaken cotton, rayon, acetate and triacetate.
Dried paint may be permanent, so the spot may not come out at all. If the paint has dried, dab alcohol onto it with an absorbent pad, changing the pad as it picks up color, and keep the spot moist until nothing more lifts. Rinse the spot with water once the alcohol stops lifting color, then let it dry before you judge the result.
If the garment has already been through the dryer or under an iron, the heat has likely set the stain, so it may not come out at all. If it's still visible after the soaks, stop and take it to a professional cleaner rather than repeating harsh treatments.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on paint on clothes?
Detergent, a commercial cleaner and the right thinner are what lift paint from clothes. Among home remedies, laundry detergent is the one that helps, so skip the others.
Works1Skip5
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't put it in the dryer or iron it
Heat sets the stain, and a paint-stained garment that goes into the dryer may never come clean. Air-dry it until you're sure the paint is completely gone.
Don't rub it with bar soap
Bar soap sets many stains, including fresh paint, so stick with liquid detergent. Blot instead of rubbing hard, since scrubbing spreads the paint and can wear the fabric.
Don't use acetone on acetate
Acetone and nail polish remover dissolve acetate, triacetate and modacrylic fabrics. Check the care label first, and take those fabrics to a dry cleaner if the paint won't lift otherwise.
Don't mix removers
Ammonia and chlorine bleach given off toxic fumes when combined, so never use them together. Rinse the garment thoroughly between one remover and the next.
Don't reach for full-strength bleach
Chlorine bleach can't be used on wool, silk, spandex or non-colorfast items. If you do use it on a colorfast white, dilute it and use it last, after everything is rinsed out.
Troubleshooting
If the stain is still there
Pick what you're seeing:
Paint still shows after one round
Do not dry the garment. Repeat the sequence for that paint type.
For oil-based paint, if stain remains, soak in hot water overnight, launder, and repeat if necessary. Dried latex paint may be permanent.
The fabric color changes
Stop. A color change means the item is not safe for that remover or bleach. Rinse thoroughly and do not continue.
Solvent fumes build up
Stop and move to good ventilation. Keep solvents away from open flame, pilot lights, and sparks. Let the solvent evaporate before washing or drying.
Paint spreads while you work
Blot rather than rub, work from the edges toward the center, and use a clean cloth. Use less solvent and change the cloth as it picks up paint.
When to call a professional
Take dry-clean-only items to a professional dry cleaner as soon as you can, and tell them the fiber content and the stain. Take even washable items there if the stain covers a large area, the item is bulky or the fabric is fragile. Suede, leather and fur trim need a cleaner who specializes in those materials.
Questions
Will paint come out of clothes or stain them?
Paint usually comes out if you treat it quickly. Water-based paint lifts with water and detergent while it is wet, but once it dries it may stay in the fabric for good. Oil-based paint needs its recommended thinner, so use the solvent that matches the paint.
What removes paint from clothes best?
The best choice depends on the paint: liquid detergent and water for wet latex, and the thinner recommended on the can for oil-based paint. For dried or unknown paint, a commercial pre-wash spot and stain remover followed by a heavy-duty wash is the next thing to try.
Can you get dried paint out of clothes?
Sometimes, but dried paint is much harder and may be permanent. Scrape off the crust first, then try the warm vinegar soak in the set-in section, and expect partial results at best.
Can I put paint-stained clothes in the dryer?
No. The dryer sets the stain, and if paint has been washed and is still there, the heat may make it permanent. Air-dry the garment and check the spot first; if paint is still visible, treat it again before any heat.
Do hairspray or baking soda remove paint from clothes?
Neither is a good choice for paint on fabric. Hairspray doesn't dissolve paint, and baking soda is a cleanser for hard surfaces that can spread paint when scrubbed. Use the detergent and solvent steps instead.
Do I need a special stain remover for paint on clothes?
Not always. A commercial pre-wash spot and stain remover suits latex, and the thinner recommended on the can is the right product for oil-based paint.
Can nail polish remover take paint off clothes?
Not on acetate, triacetate or modacrylic, because nail polish remover dissolves those fabrics. On sturdier fabrics, use the solvent steps above instead, and take valuable or fragile items to a dry cleaner.
Methods, care labels and related guides
Good to know
Paint on other materials
Other stains on clothes
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.