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

You have paint stains on your clothes and want to remove them. 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 and methods. Here’s how to get paint stains out of clothes without damaging the fabric.

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

To get paint stains 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.

For Fresh Water-Based Paint Stains

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess

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

Step 2: Rinse from the Back

Place the stained fabric face down on a clean cloth. Rinse with warm water from the back. 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: 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 6: Check Before Drying

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

For Dried Water-Based Paint Stains

Step 1: Scrape Off Dried Paint

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

Step 2: Apply Rubbing Alcohol

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

Step 3: Scrub with a Toothbrush

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

Step 4: Apply Dish Soap

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

Step 5: 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.

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 and OxiClean 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.

For Oil-Based Paint Stains

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. Let sit for 10 minutes. Use in a well-ventilated area.

Step 3: Blot with a Clean Cloth

Blot the stain with a clean cloth. Don’t rub.

Step 4: Apply Dish Soap

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

Step 5: Apply OxiClean

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

Step 6: Apply Shout Foam

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

Step 7: Wash in Warm Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add baking soda and OxiClean 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 stain is gone. If it remains, repeat the process. Don’t put paint-stained clothes in the dryer.

For Stubborn Paint Stains

Use Hand Sanitizer

Apply hand sanitizer to the stain. Let sit for 10 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. The alcohol breaks down 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.

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.

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

Stubborn paint stains may need 2 to 4 treatments. Be patient and repeat.

Clean the Machine After

Clean the washer with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner.

Paint Stain Removal by Type

Paint Type	Fresh	Dried	Best Product	Water Temp
Latex	Easy	Moderate	Dawn, warm water	Warm
Acrylic	Easy	Moderate	Dawn, rubbing alcohol	Warm
Oil-based	Moderate	Hard	Paint thinner, Dawn	Warm
Spray paint	Moderate	Hard	Rubbing alcohol, Dawn	Warm
Fabric paint	Easy	Easy	Dawn, warm water	Warm

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 4 treatments. Be patient and repeat.

FAQ

How do you get paint stains 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.

What removes paint stains from 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.

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

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 stains from clothes? Scrape off dried paint, apply rubbing alcohol (for water-based) or paint thinner (for oil-based) for 15 minutes, scrub, apply Dawn dish soap, apply baking soda paste, apply OxiClean, wash 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.