How to Get Wet or Dry Fabric Paint Out of Clothes

Whether you've spilled fabric paint on a garment or need to remove fabric paint in order to rework your design, we're here to help. The most important thing to remember is to start treating the stain as soon as you can. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to remove fabric paint from clothes, including both wet and dry paint, as well as how to salvage clothes that are permanently stained. Plus, we share answers to other common questions about removing paint from fabric.

How to Get Fabric Paint Out of Clothes

For wet paint, blot up as much as possible with a paper towel, then flush the stain with cold water and hand wash with detergent. For dry paint, use a scraper to remove as much as possible, then apply an alcohol- or acetone-based solvent and scrub. For both wet and dry, finish by machine washing in cold water.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Remove Wet Fabric Paint

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1
Remove any unabsorbed paint immediately. The sooner you start fighting the stain, the better your chances will be of getting it out. To remove unabsorbed paint, blot it up with a paper towel or gently scrape it off with a putty knife. This will help prevent the paint from spreading to clean sections of the fabric. Try not to rub the paint, as this will only make the stain worse.^{[1]
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- Do not apply heat to the stain. Many fabric paints are set by heat, which means they do not fully harden until they are heated, usually by an iron. Do not apply heat of any kind, including hot water or tossing the garment in the dryer, until the stain is 100% removed.
- If you can’t take your stained clothes off immediately, try washing the paint stain out with them still on. This is better than allowing the paint to dry.
- Fabric paint is a water-based paint, very similar to acrylic paint. Because of this, most of the steps for removing fabric paint are the same as, or very similar to, how you would remove acrylic paint and any other water-based paints.
2
Flush the stain with cold water. Once you’ve gotten as much paint off the surface of the fabric as possible, rinse the stained area under cold water until the water runs clear. It’s best to do this from the clean side of the fabric in order to avoid accidentally rubbing the paint into your clothing.^{[2]
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- It’s important to use cold water to avoid setting the stain. If your fabric paint does not set with heat, it’s possible to rinse the stain with hot water, but be sure to read the paint’s label to make sure.
- Always read the care instructions before washing your fabric. If the tag on your garment says that dry cleaning is required, do not attempt to wash out the stain.
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3
Hand wash the stain with a detergent. Once the stain has been thoroughly flushed, apply laundry detergent (or dish soap) to the affected area. For best results, use one part detergent and one part water. Try rubbing the area with your hands, but if that isn’t effective enough, scrub with a sponge or a brush. Old toothbrushes work well for small stains.^{[3]
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- Cleaning expert Susan Stocker says “it’s fairly easy” to clean acrylic, latex, and water-based paints “as long as the paint is still wet. Immediately put dishwashing liquid on it and scrub and rinse in cold water.^{[4]
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  Susan Stocker
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  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
4
Machine wash your clothes in cold water. When you’ve removed as much paint as possible by hand, toss the garment in the washing machine on a cold setting with plenty of detergent. This should get the rest of the stain out. If the clothing still has a stain after it comes out of the washing machine, let it air dry, then follow the steps for removing dried paint.^{[5]
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- Do not use hot water to wash your clothes or put them in the dryer unless the stain is completely gone.
- Do not machine wash garments that call for dry cleaning or hand washing, as this may damage the fabric. Always follow the proper care instructions.
For delicate fabrics, like silk, that cannot be washed at home, bring the garment to a professional for cleaning. Dry cleaning may also work for washable fabrics if you were unsuccessful at removing the stain yourself. Sometimes, however, paint stains are permanent, so there is no guarantee the dry cleaner will be able to remove them.^{[6]
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Remove Dry Fabric Paint

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1
Scrape off as much paint as you can. Before attempting to remove a dried paint stain with chemicals, remove as much paint as you can manually. Depending on the amount of paint that is on the fabric, scrape some off with a blunt scraper, like a putty knife, or use a brass wire brush or stiff nylon brush to remove as much as possible.^{[7]
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- Be careful not to rip the fabric as you try to remove the paint. If none will come off, move on to the next step.
2
Apply an alcohol-based solvent. Once you have removed as much excess paint as possible, soften the remaining paint with an alcohol-based solvent, like rubbing alcohol, turpentine, or mineral spirits. Apply a small amount directly to the paint to begin loosening it. For stubborn stains, let the solvent sit for a while before moving on to the next step.^{[8]
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- If you don’t have any of these solvents on hand, try an acetone-based nail polish remover, hand sanitizer, or a hairspray that contains alcohol. Or, visit your local home improvement store to buy a cleaning product specifically designed for removing the type of paint you’re dealing with.
- Solvents are very harsh and can damage fabrics, especially those with natural fibers like silk and wool. Always test the solvent on a hidden area, like an inside seam, before using it.
- If your garment cannot be treated with solvents, take it to a dry cleaner to be professionally cleaned.
As the paint molecules begin to break down and soften from the solvent, scrub as much of the paint away as possible. Stiff-bristle brushes typically work best, so just be careful not to damage the fabric as you scrub. It may also help to scrub some laundry detergent and cold water onto the stain to help the process, especially once you’ve removed most of the paint.^{[9]
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4
Wash your clothes in cold water. When you’ve removed as much fabric paint as possible by hand, toss the stained garment in the washing machine and wash it in cold water with plenty of detergent. Do not use hot water, put the garment in the dryer, or use any kind of heat until you've removed all the paint as heat will set the stain.^{[10]
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- Warning: if you used a harsh, flammable solvent like turpentine, hand wash the garment instead. Flammable substances contain vapors that could ignite or explode in a washing machine or dryer.^{[11]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
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  Go to source} If you used lighter solvents, like rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, it’s safe to put in the washer. Just rinse the garment with water first to be safe.
If you have no luck removing the stain on your own, taking it to the dry cleaner may help. Sometimes, the solvents used in dry cleaning are more effective at removing paint than what’s available to you at home. If professional cleaning still doesn’t work, the stain may be permanent.^{[12]
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Salvage Paint-Stained Clothes

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Hem your clothing. If you can’t remove the fabric paint stain from your clothes, you may be able to modify the garment slightly to get rid of the stained area. For example, if you got paint on the bottoms of your pants legs or shirt sleeves, simply raise the hem to convert long pants to capris or your long-sleeved shirt to a ¾-sleeved shirt.^{[13]
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- If you know how to sew, hem your own clothing, or take it to a tailor to have it professionally done.
2
Make it look intentional. Fabric paint is meant to be applied to fabric, so one way to save your garment is to simply apply more paint. Create a fun design on your clothing that incorporates the stain. No one will ever know that you didn’t intend to get paint on your clothes.^{[14]
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- It’s usually a better idea to create designs with the paint than to simply try to cover it up with a new paint color that matches the fabric. This is often noticeable and might not come out the way you intended.
3
Cover the affected area. If you don’t want to apply more paint to the fabric, think about other ways to cover it up. For example, attach a decorative patch, or cover the area with sequins. If you happen to do embroidery, embroider a cute design over the stain. With a little bit of creativity, the possibilities are endless.^{[15]
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- Iron-on patches are a great idea if you can’t or don’t want to sew.
- If you have a friend who’s particularly crafty, ask if they can help you come up with a solution.
4
Reuse the fabric for another project. If you can’t think of a way to salvage the garment but you really like the fabric, try making something else out of it. For example, if you got paint on your favorite blouse, try making a throw pillow out of the unstained portion of the fabric. Or, cut a large shirt into smaller pieces to make a child’s shirt.^{[16]
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- This method will require sewing skills. Find patterns for making clothes online, or if you don’t know how to sew, find a tailor who will make custom clothing with your fabric.

Section 4 of 4:

Removing Paint FAQs

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Fabric paint is designed for fabric, so it may be difficult to wash off, but not impossible. Most fabric paints do not become “permanent” until they’re set with heat.^{[17]
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Does vinegar remove fabric paint? Fabric paint is a type of acrylic paint, so it may be possible to remove it using vinegar. Moisten a cotton swab with white vinegar and dab it on the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then sprinkle some baking soda on top. Blot the area with a clean paper towel or cloth to help lift the stain, then blot again with dish soap and water. Rinse with cold water, then repeat as needed until the stain is removed.^{[18]
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- Note that vinegar is not as effective as other solutions, especially if the paint is already dry.
3
How do I get fabric paint out of carpet? Like with clothes, scrape off as much loose paint as possible with a dull knife. Pour some laundry detergent or dish soap on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a wet sponge or towel to blot up the liquid. Once the stain has been removed, use a dry towel to absorb the remaining moisture.^{[19]
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- If the stain doesn’t come out, you may need to dye the carpet to cover the stain.
Removing paint stains from jeans generally works the same way as removing paint stains from other garments: scrape off the excess, rinse with cold water, scrub with detergent, then wash in the washing machine with cold water. It may also be helpful to pretreat the stain with a stain remover before handwashing with detergent.^{[20]
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How do I remove oil paint from clothing? Removing oil-based paints is often more difficult than removing water-based paints, but it’s not impossible. Turn the garment inside out and blot the stain from the back with turpentine or a paint thinner recommended on the oil paint’s label. Rinse the stain with warm water, then apply a dishwasher detergent and soak the garment in warm, soapy water overnight. Rinse the garment with clean water, then wash it as you normally would.^{[21]
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- Check your garment’s care tag before attempting to remove the stain, and test an inconspicuous area first.
- Stocker warns that you should be very careful using “a solvent like turpentine, as it can be dangerous and toxic.”^{[22]
  X
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  Susan Stocker
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.} Never put garments treated with flammable liquids in the washer or dryer.^{[23]
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  Consumer Reports
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
  
  Go to source}
- If the stain remains after you wash it, treat it with a stain remover and wash it again. Do not dry the garment with heat until the stain is completely gone.

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How can I remove nail polish from linen?

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A strong soap like Oxy clean will probably do it, or just use nail polish remover.

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Can I remove fabric paint from clothes with a stain-removing pen?

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It depends on the severity of the paint stain. If it's thin and small, most likely, but if it's larger, speak to a professional.

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How do I remove fabric paint from shoes?

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If they are fabric shoes like Converse, use a sponge to dab nail polish remover on the area and leave it for a bit to sink in. Then use water and a cleaning solution to brush it out. If not fabric, then just put some nail polish remover on a cloth and rub it in; eventually the paint will loosen up and come off.

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Sometimes it is just not possible to remove fabric paint from clothing, especially if you are dealing with delicate fabrics.

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If your stain does not seem to be coming out, try letting it soak in soapy water or a solvent.

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In the future, always wear work clothes when you are painting.

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Warnings

If your clothing has wet paint on it, don't put anything else in the washing machine with it.

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Always read the care instructions on your clothes before attempting to remove stains. Delicate fabrics may not hold up to harsh cleaning methods.

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Solvents may cause the colors in your fabric to bleed, so it's best to test them in an inconspicuous area first.

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