Help! I Spilled Paint on My Clothes — Now What?

“If you’ve ever done some painting, you probably got paint on your clothes.  I know we have and some of it is still there.  These tips would have probably come in handy.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
I speak as someone who has an entire drawer dedicated to “painting clothes”: Don’t even think about opening that can of paint until after you’ve changed into clothes you don’t mind getting spoiled by spatters. That being said, mishaps happen, such as when you unknowingly brush up against a freshly painted wall and come away with a smudge, or when you set out to do simple touch-ups around the house and get drips on your favorite jeans. In that case, here’s how to get paint out of clothes.
by Jennifer Ott Design
Jennifer Ott Design
Act quickly. This first tip is obvious, but you definitely want to move swiftly when dealing with any kind of stain on clothing, especially paint. The longer you wait to address the spill, the more difficult it will be to remove. Fresh splotches are likely removable, so taking immediate action is half the battle.
Cleaning paint
Identify the paint. What you use to clean paint out of clothing depends on what type of paint you are dealing with. Water-based paints are much easier to clean up than oil-based, but the latter stay wet longer, which buys you more time to take action. Part of paint prep is making sure you have everything you need on hand to clean up any messes. That includes picking up the proper cleaning supplies in advance so that time is on your side in getting rid of the stain. The label on the can of an oil-based paint will recommend solvents for removing stains.

Note: Always check clothing labels, and test cleaners and solvents in an inconspicuous area of the garment to make sure they won’t damage the fabric.

Traditional Bathroom by Lowe's Home Improvement
Lowe’s Home Improvement
Water-based paint. You likely have what you need in your bathroom cabinet to remove water-based paint stains. I’ve had good results using 91 percent isopropyl alcohol to rid fabric of latex paint.

The first step is to flush the stain with detergent and warm water. Depending on how fresh it is, you may be able to remove most of the paint. Next, pour a generous splash of alcohol on the mark and, using an old toothbrush, scrub out the stain, adding more alcohol if needed. Once the stain is gone, rinse out any remaining alcohol and then launder the clothing according to instructions.

If 91 percent isopropyl alcohol doesn’t quite do the trick, try using acetone (some nail polish removers are 100 percent acetone), following the steps outlined above.

Eclectic Home Office by Sarah Greenman
Sarah Greenman
Oil-based paint. Paint that is oil-based is much trickier to remove from clothing, but all hope is not lost. You do need to take extra safety precautions, such as wearing a respirator, eye protection and gloves. Also, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area since the solvents used to remove oil-based paint are flammable and you want to avoid breathing in the fumes.

Check the paint can label to see what solvent is recommended — mineral spirits is a common one. Before applying the solvent, dab any excess paint with a paper towel. Next, turn the garment inside out so that you’re working from the underside of the stain.

Eclectic Laundry Room by Kelley & Company Home
Kelley & Company Home
Place a generous stack of paper towels underneath the stained area to catch and absorb the solvent. Carefully pour a small amount of solvent over the stained area. Then, using a cotton ball or swab, dab at the backside of the stain. You want to try to transfer the paint onto the paper towels underneath.

Replace the paper towels with clean ones and repeat the process until the paint is gone. Then rinse out the clothing well — removing all traces of solvent — before washing the garment according to label instructions. It is important that you remove all traces of the solvent before washing and drying the garment because of the flammability of the solvent.

by Анна Корнева
Анна Корнева
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Painting can be a fun family project, but as with any other home improvement, the more prepared you are before you start, the better the outcome will be.
Originally published on HOUZZ by Jennifer Ott