What Gets Paint Out of Clothes?

You got paint on your clothes and want to know what removes it. Maybe you were painting a room, doing a craft project, or your kid came home with paint on their shirt. Paint stains on clothes can be removed with the right products. Here’s what gets paint out of clothes.

Paint stains on clothes are caused by paint (water-based or oil-based) bonding with fabric fibers. What gets paint out depends on the paint type. Water-based paints (latex, acrylic) come out with dish soap, warm water, and rubbing alcohol. Oil-based paints come out with paint thinner or mineral spirits. Fresh paint is easier to remove than dried paint. The key is identifying the paint type and using the right product.

To get paint out of clothes, identify the paint type, scrape off excess, apply Dawn dish soap for water-based paint or paint thinner for oil-based paint, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply OxiClean, 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.

What Gets Water-Based Paint Out of Clothes

Dawn Dish Soap

Dawn Ultra Dish Soap is a surfactant that breaks down the binder in water-based paint (latex and acrylic). Apply directly to the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, and wash in warm water.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol breaks down dried water-based paint. Apply with a cotton ball, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, and wash. The alcohol dissolves the paint binder.

Warm Water

Warm water helps dissolve water-based paint. Rinse the stain from the back with warm water to push the paint out of the fibers.

OxiClean Max Force Spray

OxiClean Max Force Spray removes remaining paint residue. Spray on the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, and wash.

Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam

Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam helps remove paint that has oil content. Apply to the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, and wash.

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer contains alcohol, which breaks down paint. Apply to the stain, let sit for 10 minutes, scrub, and wash.

Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water. Apply to the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, and wash. Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive.

White Vinegar

White vinegar can help break down some paint compounds. Apply full strength to the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, and wash.

What Gets Oil-Based Paint Out of Clothes

Paint Thinner or Mineral Spirits

Paint thinner or mineral spirits dissolve oil-based paint. Apply with a cotton ball, let sit for 10 minutes, blot with a clean cloth, and wash. Use in a well-ventilated area.

Dawn Dish Soap

After using paint thinner, apply Dawn dish soap to remove the thinner and remaining paint. Let sit for 15 minutes, scrub, and wash.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can help with some oil-based paints. Apply with a cotton ball, let sit for 10 minutes, and wash.

OxiClean

Add OxiClean to the wash for extra cleaning power on oil-based paint stains.

Step-by-Step: Getting Paint Out of Clothes

Step 1: Identify the Paint Type

Check the paint can or tube. Water-based paint (latex, acrylic) is easier to remove. Oil-based paint needs paint thinner.

Step 2: Scrape Off Excess

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

Step 3: Apply the Right Product

Apply the right product based on paint type:

• Water-based (fresh): Dawn dish soap
• Water-based (dried): Rubbing alcohol, then Dawn
• Oil-based: Paint thinner, then Dawn

Step 4: Let It Sit

Let the product sit for 15 minutes. For tough stains, let it sit for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Scrub with a Toothbrush

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

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 baking soda to the wash.

Step 8: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.

Step 9: Check Before Drying

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

Step 10: Clean the Machine After

Clean the washer with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

Additional Products

Amodex for Ink Mixed with Paint

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

Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.

What Gets Paint Out by Type

Paint Type	Best Product	Wait Time	Water Temp	Notes
Latex (fresh)	Dawn dish soap	15 min	Warm	Scrape off excess
Latex (dried)	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn	15 min	Warm	May need 2 to 3 treatments
Acrylic (fresh)	Dawn dish soap	15 min	Warm	Scrape off excess
Acrylic (dried)	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn	15 min	Warm	May need 2 to 3 treatments
Oil-based (fresh)	Paint thinner, Dawn	10 min	Warm	Use in ventilated area
Oil-based (dried)	Paint thinner, Dawn, OxiClean	15 min	Warm	May need multiple treatments
Spray paint	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn	15 min	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 may need 2 to 3 treatments. Repeat the process.

FAQ

What gets paint out of clothes? For water-based paint: Dawn dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and OxiClean. For oil-based paint: paint thinner, Dawn dish soap, and OxiClean. Scrape off excess, apply the product, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying.

Does Dawn dish soap remove paint from clothes? Yes. Dawn is a surfactant that breaks down the binder in water-based paint. Apply directly to the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, and wash in warm water.

Does rubbing alcohol remove paint from clothes? Yes. Rubbing alcohol breaks down dried water-based paint. Apply with a cotton ball, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, and wash.

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 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 with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Repeat if needed.

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.