When starting a painting project, it’s best to wear clothes you don’t mind getting stained! Accidents can happen quickly, and removing paint from fabric isn’t always easy! While fresh paint stains are relatively simple to remove, dried splatters pose more of a challenge! Don’t worry, though, as there are tips to tackle these stains, and we’re sharing them with you in this article!
1. Remove A Stain From Water-Based Paint
There are several types of water-based paints for crafting or interior decoration! Gouache, watercolor, acrylic, vinyl, and alkyd – the method for removing them from stained clothing is the same! You will mainly need water and soap. Start by scraping off the excess paint with the back of a spoon or a knife (being careful with your fabric).
Next, if the stain is fresh, rub the fabric with warm water and soap! Linen, cotton, and even synthetic materials will withstand this method well!
If the stain has dried before you noticed it, gently scrape off the excess paint first. Then soak your garment for a few hours in a basin or sink filled with soapy hot water.
If the stain remains, soak the fabric in a basin filled with water. Mix, in a separate container, white vinegar, about a handful of fine salt, and ammonia. Apply this mixture onto the stain until it dissolves. Rinse your clothing afterward and wash it afterward.
2. Tackle A Stain From Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paint is greasier and embeds itself more deeply into fabric than water-based paint. It’s also more resistant to water, so it’s crucial to act quickly if you get oil paint on you! You will need:
- Cotton swabs;
- White spirit;
- Clean rags and gloves.
Soak a rag in white spirit and gently rub the stain. If it’s small splatters, you can use cotton swabs instead by gently tapping the stained area.
Next, rinse the fabric under water and wash it in your usual laundry cycle.
You can also use turpentine to dissolve an already dried stain. Soak a clean rag in it and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for at least an hour, then scrub with water and Marseille soap. For ingrained stains, gently brush with a toothbrush to remove residue and finish the job. Wash the garment afterward.
If you want to ensure success, you can also combine turpentine with butter. It takes a little longer, but here’s how to do it:
- Apply butter on the stain and let it sit for 20 hours;
- Then scrub with a cloth soaked in turpentine and finish with the toothbrush;
- Put the garment into the wash.
3. Remove A Paint Stain From Delicate Fabric
While cotton and synthetic materials are more resistant, delicate fabrics require gentle handling to avoid damage, particularly silk, suede, or satin. Whether your clothing is stained with water or oil-based paint, mix together:
- Sugar;
- A small volume of water;
- White vinegar;
Soak your fabric in this mixture for about an hour before rinsing it and washing it with clear water.
For wool garments, mix:
- Water;
- Soap;
- Ammonia.
Soak a clean cloth in this mixture and rub the stain. Then absorb the excess with paper towels and allow the garment to dry flat in the open air.
4. Dissolve A Stubborn Stain
Some materials, like denim, are even more challenging to clean. If you need to remove water-based paint:
- Take white spirit;
- A clean rag;
- A flat-handled stainless steel spoon or a knife.
Gently scrape the stain with the edge of the spoon handle or the flat side of the knife to remove excess paint. Then, dab the denim with a cloth soaked in white spirit without rubbing. Once done, you just need to wash the denim in the machine at a temperature of 40°C. If the stain persists, rub some Marseille soap or black soap on it, rinse, and let it dry normally.
5. Remove A Glycerol Paint Stain
This is one of the toughest paints to remove, as it’s very adhesive. You can put white vinegar and white spirit on a clean cloth and dab the stain to dissolve it. Let the product sit for 30 minutes and then rinse the fabric under cold water.
If that doesn’t work, you can also use an oven cleaner. This type of product is highly chemical, so use it with some precautions. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask to avoid burns and inhaling fumes. It can also discolor clothing, so it’s recommended to do a test on a less visible area of the fabric. Apply it to a clean cloth and gently scrub the affected area. Then rinse thoroughly with clear water.
If this trick doesn’t work either, your last resort is to use paint thinner. Follow the instructions on the products carefully, and remember that they can also discolor clothing, so do a test before use.
