How to Get Dry Paint Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You have dried paint on your clothes and want to remove it. Maybe the paint has been sitting for days or weeks, and you think it’s too late. Dried paint is harder to remove than fresh paint, but it can still be done with the right products and patience. Here’s how to get dry paint out of clothes without damaging the fabric.

Dried paint on clothes has bonded with the fabric fibers over time, making it harder to remove than fresh paint. Water-based paint (latex, acrylic) can be removed with rubbing alcohol, which breaks down the dried paint binder. Oil-based paint needs paint thinner or mineral spirits. The key to removing dried paint is scraping off the surface, applying the right solvent, letting it sit long enough, and repeating as needed.

To get dry paint out of clothes, scrape off dried paint with a dull edge, apply rubbing alcohol for water-based paint or paint thinner for oil-based paint, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply Dawn dish soap, apply baking soda paste, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Don’t rub, don’t use hot water, and don’t put paint-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Dried Water-Based Paint (Latex and Acrylic)

Step 1: Scrape Off Dried Paint

Use a dull edge (butter knife or credit card) to scrape off as much dried paint as possible. Don’t damage the fabric. Work gently to lift the dried paint flakes.

Step 2: Apply Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain with a cotton ball. Saturate the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. The alcohol breaks down the dried paint binder. For thick dried paint, let it sit for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush. Work from the outside in. The dried paint should start peeling or flaking off as the alcohol breaks it down.

Step 4: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the stain to remove the rubbing alcohol and remaining paint. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Apply 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. Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to lift remaining paint.

Step 6: Apply OxiClean

Spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes. OxiClean breaks down remaining paint compounds.

Step 7: Apply Shout Foam

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

Step 8: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add half a cup of baking soda and 1 scoop of OxiClean to the wash.

Step 9: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

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

Step 10: Check Before Drying

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

For Dried Oil-Based Paint

Step 1: Scrape Off Dried Paint

Use a dull edge to scrape off as much dried paint as possible.

Step 2: Apply Paint Thinner or Mineral Spirits

Apply paint thinner or mineral spirits to the stain with a cotton ball. Let sit for 10 minutes. Use in a well-ventilated area. Paint thinner dissolves 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 and remaining paint. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the stain with an old toothbrush.

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: 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 Methods for Stubborn Dried Paint

Use Hand Sanitizer

Apply hand sanitizer (which contains alcohol) to the stain. Let sit for 10 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. The alcohol breaks down dried paint.

Use the Tape Method

For dried paint on sturdy fabric, press duct tape or packing tape onto the dried paint and peel it off. The tape can lift dried paint flakes from the surface.

Use the Iron Method (For Sturdy Fabrics)

Place a clean paper towel over the stain. Iron on a low setting (no steam). The heat softens the paint, which transfers to the paper towel. Move the paper towel as it absorbs paint. Don’t use on delicate fabrics.

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.

Repeat the Process

Dried paint stains may need 2 to 4 treatments. Be patient and repeat the process until the paint is gone.

Clean the Machine After

Clean the washer with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner after washing paint-stained clothes.

Dried Paint Removal by Fabric Type

Fabric Type	Best Method	Water Temp	Notes
Cotton	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	Sturdy, can handle scrubbing
Denim	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	Sturdy, can handle scrubbing
Polyester	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn	Warm	Gentler scrubbing
Wool	Dawn, gentle rubbing	Warm	Don’t use rubbing alcohol on fine wool
Silk	Dawn, gentle blotting	Cool	Don’t scrub, don’t use rubbing alcohol
Canvas	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn, OxiClean	Warm	Sturdy, can handle firm scrubbing

What Not to Do

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

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

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

Don’t use rubbing alcohol on delicate fabrics. Rubbing alcohol can damage silk and fine wool. 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 4 treatments. Be patient and repeat.

FAQ

How do you get dry paint out of clothes? Scrape off dried paint, apply rubbing alcohol for water-based paint or paint thinner for oil-based paint, let sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, apply Dawn dish soap, apply baking soda paste, apply OxiClean, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water, and check before drying. Repeat if needed.

Does rubbing alcohol remove dried paint from clothes? Yes. Rubbing alcohol breaks down the dried paint binder. Apply with a cotton ball, let sit for 15 to 30 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, and wash. It works for water-based paints (latex and acrylic).

Can dried paint be removed from clothes? Yes. Dried paint is harder to remove than fresh paint but can still be removed with rubbing alcohol, Dawn dish soap, baking soda paste, and OxiClean. It may take 2 to 4 treatments.

Can you put dried 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 oil-based paint from clothes? Scrape off dried paint, apply paint thinner or mineral spirits for 10 minutes, blot with a clean cloth, apply Dawn dish soap, scrub, 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 Dried Paint from Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Paint Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Removal Guide.” oxiclean.com.