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The best solution for how to get paint out of clothes will depend on a couple of different things.
Firstly, it depends on how quickly you notice the paint stain. If you notice the paint as soon as it hits your clothes, or while it’s still mostly wet, you’re best off using a spoon or a knife to try to scoop off as much as possible before it dries, and then break out your chosen stain remover to deal with whatever’s left.
Dealing with a dry paint stain is a little tougher, but there are plenty of simple household hacks for tackling dry paint stains.
Secondly, the best method for how to get paint out of clothes will depend on the type of paint it is. So before you start scrubbing at the stain, make sure you know which kind of paint you’re dealing with—it’ll help you choose the right solution to get it gone.
Read on to find the best way to get paint out of your clothes!
Best for: water-based, latex paint stains; acrylic paint stains
If the stain is from a water-based, latex paint—this is the kind of paint that’s best for large painting projects, like walls or ceilings—dish detergent should be your go-to stain remover.
This method also works on acrylic paint, a glossy paint favored by crafters using surfaces like wood and canvas, especially if the paint is still slightly wet. One crucial thing to know before attempting this technique, though, is to make sure the clothes are color safe; otherwise, treating the clothing with dish soap may make it run.
Best for: latex paint stains
Rubbing alcohol is another great solution for removing latex paint stains. This is a great solution to try right off the bat and is also a good one to try if using dishwashing liquid doesn’t work.
Rubbing alcohol is also a tried-and-true method for removing acrylic paint stains. Once you’ve treated the stain, throw the garment in the wash to remove the final traces of the stain and the alcohol.
Best for: latex paint stains
Nail polish remover has a similar effect on paint stains as rubbing alcohol. It is most effective on latex paints.
For this method, though, it’s important to make sure that the fabric of the clothing doesn’t contain acetate or triacetate. The acetone in nail polish remover can damage those fibers.
RELATED: Find out how to remove more types of stains.
Best for: small stains; latex paint stains
Hairspray is also an effective tool for how to get paint out of clothes, especially if the stain you’re dealing with is on the smaller side. Since many aerosol hairsprays contain alcohol, spraying a stain can help loosen lingering latex paint.
Best for: latex paint stains
Just like hairspray, hand sanitizer contains some alcohol, so it can help loosen up a latex paint stain in a pinch. The method for this one is pretty similar to using hairspray:
If you’re really worried about getting a stain out, you can also use both hand sanitizer and hairspray for double the stain-fighting power.
RELATED: If you get paint on your carpet, don’t worry—here’s a guide on how to get paint out of carpet.
Best for: tough paint stains
Here’s how to get paint out of clothes with this trio of household staples.
Best for: acrylic paint stains
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. If you’re dealing with acrylic paint, try this method:
This method also works well on spray paint, according to firstforwomen.com. Make sure you’ve thoroughly soaked the stain in the detergent before rinsing.
Best for: small latex paint stains
Here’s another ultra-easy solution for removing small latex paint stains. All you have to do is:
Best for: oil-based paint stains
Oil paint is the trickiest type of paint to remove from clothing, thanks to its durable oil base. This base makes it better at standing up to wear and tear, making it a good choice for painting trim or outdoor paint jobs. Removing oil paint stains is a pain, but not impossible. Other methods of removing paint from clothes probably won’t work for oil paint, so you may have to break out some stronger substances. If you don’t have any paint thinner on hand, turpentine has similar effects on oil paint.
Best for: dry latex paint stains
They say duct tape can fix everything, and it really does have an incredible range of uses. Sure enough, one of them is getting paint out of clothing. This works best on latex paint that’s completely dry.
Next, find out some simple solutions for removing ink stains, as well as how to get blood out of clothes.
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