How to Take Paint Off Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You got paint on your clothes. Maybe you were painting a room, doing a craft project, or accidentally brushed against a wet surface. Paint stains on clothes can be removed with the right products and methods. Here’s how to take paint off clothes without damaging the fabric.

Paint stains on clothes are caused by paint (latex, acrylic, oil-based, or water-based) bonding with fabric fibers. The key to removing paint is identifying the paint type and using the right solvent. Water-based paints (latex, acrylic) are easier to remove than oil-based paints. Fresh paint is easier to remove than dried paint. The key is acting fast and using the right product.

To take paint off clothes, identify the paint type, scrape off excess paint, apply the right solvent (rubbing alcohol for water-based, paint thinner for oil-based), let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Don’t use hot water on fresh paint, don’t rub, and don’t put paint-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Water-Based Paint (Latex and Acrylic)

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess

Use a dull edge (butter knife or credit card) to scrape off excess paint. Don’t rub, which pushes the paint deeper.

Step 2: Rinse with Warm Water

Rinse the stain with warm water from the back of the fabric. This pushes the paint out of the fibers.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the stain. Work it in gently. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 4: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in.

Step 5: Apply Rubbing Alcohol

If the stain remains, apply rubbing alcohol to the stain with a cotton ball. Let sit for 10 minutes. The alcohol breaks down the paint binder.

Step 6: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 7: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the wash.

Step 8: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for the rinse.

Step 9: Check Before Drying

Check that the paint stain is gone before putting the clothes in the dryer. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put paint-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Oil-Based Paint

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess

Use a dull edge to scrape off excess paint. Don’t rub.

Step 2: Apply Paint Thinner or Mineral Spirits

Apply paint thinner or mineral spirits to the stain with a cotton ball. Work from the outside in. Let sit for 10 minutes. Paint thinner breaks down oil-based paint.

Step 3: Blot with a Clean Cloth

Blot the stain with a clean cloth to absorb the dissolved paint. Don’t rub.

Step 4: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn dish soap to the stain to remove the paint thinner. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Rinse with Warm Water

Rinse with warm water to remove the dish soap and paint thinner.

Step 6: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add OxiClean to the wash.

Step 7: Check Before Drying

Check that the stain is gone. If it remains, repeat the process. Don’t put paint-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Dried Paint

Step 1: Scrape Off Dried Paint

Use a dull edge to scrape off as much dried paint as possible. Don’t damage the fabric.

Step 2: Apply Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn dish soap to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 4: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Apply Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 6: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add baking soda and OxiClean to the wash.

Step 7: Check Before Drying

Check that the stain is gone. If it remains, repeat the process. Don’t put paint-stained clothes in the dryer.

Additional Products for Paint Stains

Use Amodex for Ink Mixed with Paint

If the paint stain has ink mixed in, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

Clean the Machine Monthly

Clean the washer monthly with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

Paint Stain Removal Guide

Paint Type	Best Treatment	Water Temp	Notes
Latex (fresh)	Dawn, warm water rinse	Warm	Scrape off excess first
Latex (dried)	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	May need 2 to 3 treatments
Acrylic (fresh)	Dawn, warm water rinse	Warm	Scrape off excess first
Acrylic (dried)	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	May need 2 to 3 treatments
Oil-based (fresh)	Paint thinner, Dawn	Warm	Use in ventilated area
Oil-based (dried)	Paint thinner, Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	May need multiple treatments

What Not to Do

Don’t use hot water on fresh paint. Hot water can set some paints. Use warm water.

Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the paint. Scrape and scrub with a toothbrush.

Don’t put paint-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets paint permanently. Air dry and check first.

Don’t use paint thinner on delicate fabrics. Paint thinner can damage silk, wool, and synthetics. Test on a hidden area first.

Don’t use paint thinner without ventilation. Paint thinner has strong fumes. Use in a well-ventilated area.

Don’t give up after one treatment. Dried paint stains may need 2 to 3 treatments. Repeat the process.

FAQ

How do you take paint off clothes? Identify the paint type, scrape off excess, apply the right solvent (rubbing alcohol for water-based, paint thinner for oil-based), let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying.

Does rubbing alcohol remove paint from clothes? Yes. Rubbing alcohol breaks down the paint binder. Apply to the stain, let sit for 10 to 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, and wash. It works for water-based paints (latex and acrylic).

How do you remove dried paint from clothes? Scrape off dried paint, apply rubbing alcohol for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply Dawn dish soap, apply OxiClean, wash in warm water, and check before drying. Repeat if needed.

Can you put paint-stained clothes in the dryer? No. Dryer heat sets paint permanently. Air dry and check first. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash.

How do you remove oil-based paint from clothes? Scrape off excess, apply paint thinner or mineral spirits for 10 minutes, blot with a clean cloth, apply Dawn dish soap to remove the thinner, rinse with warm water, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying.

References

1. Tide. “Paint Stain Removal Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Remove Paint from Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Paint Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Removal Guide.” oxiclean.com.