Does Paint Come Out of Clothes?

You wonder if paint can come out of clothes. Maybe you got paint on your favorite shirt, your kid came home with paint on their clothes, or you found an old paint stain. The answer is yes, paint can come out of clothes with the right products and methods. Here’s how to remove paint from clothes.

Yes, paint can come out of clothes. Water-based paint (latex, acrylic) comes out with dish soap, warm water, and rubbing alcohol. Oil-based paint comes out with paint thinner or mineral spirits. Fresh paint is easier to remove than dried paint, but even dried paint can be removed with patience and the right products. The key is identifying the paint type and using the right solvent.

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.

Yes, Water-Based Paint Comes Out

Water-based paint (latex and acrylic) is the most common type of paint that gets on clothes. It comes out with:

Dawn Dish Soap

Dawn Ultra Dish Soap breaks down the paint binder. Apply 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.

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

OxiClean Max Force Spray removes remaining paint residue. Spray on the stain, let sit for 15 minutes, 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, and wash. Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive.

Hand Sanitizer

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

Yes, Oil-Based Paint Comes Out

Oil-based paint is harder to remove than water-based paint, but it can come out with:

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.

OxiClean

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

Yes, Dried Paint Comes Out

Dried paint is harder to remove than fresh paint, but it can come out with patience:

Scrape Off Dried Paint

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

Apply Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain. Let sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. The alcohol breaks down the dried paint binder.

Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn dish soap to remove the alcohol and remaining paint. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Apply Baking Soda Paste

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Apply OxiClean and Shout

Apply OxiClean Max Force Spray and Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let each sit for 15 minutes.

Wash and Check

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Check before drying. Repeat if needed.

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. 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

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.

Paint Removal Success by Type

Paint Type	Fresh	Dried	Best Product	Success Rate
Latex	Easy	Moderate	Dawn, warm water	High
Acrylic	Easy	Moderate	Dawn, rubbing alcohol	High
Oil-based	Moderate	Hard	Paint thinner, Dawn	Moderate
Spray paint	Moderate	Hard	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn	Moderate
Fabric paint	Easy	Easy	Dawn, warm water	Very high

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 give up after one treatment. Dried paint may need 2 to 4 treatments. Be patient and repeat.

FAQ

Does paint come out of clothes? Yes. Water-based paint (latex, acrylic) comes out with Dawn dish soap, warm water, and rubbing alcohol. Oil-based paint comes out with paint thinner and Dawn dish soap. Dried paint may need 2 to 4 treatments.

Does dried paint come out of clothes? Yes. Scrape off dried paint, apply rubbing alcohol for 15 to 30 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.

What takes 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. Always wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water.

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, scrub, apply OxiClean, 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. “Does Paint Come Out of Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Paint Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Removal Guide.” oxiclean.com.