Had a productive spring season? Got all of your DIY tasks boxed off? Chances are, you might have dirtied up a garment or two in the process. Paint-splattered clothes are usually a sign of a successful project, but you don’t have to look at those stains forever.
If you’re wondering how to get paint out of clothes, you’re in luck. We’ve gathered the best laundry tips for freshening up your clothing, no matter how damaged you think it might be.
Let’s keep up the spring cleaning momentum and get started!
How to Get Paint Out of Clothes
Removing Interior Home Paint Stains
If you managed to do some decorative home painting this season (we were eyeing some laundry room paint projects ourselves), pat yourself on the back! Now, go grab those paint-splattered jeans and t-shirts.
As with any stain, it’s best to tackle it before it has time to dry. If your home paint stain is somehow still wet, you’ll have an easier time rinsing it out under warm water. Assuming the stain has dried:
Scrape away the excess paint before wetting the garment. Any hard object, like the back of a metal spoon, will do.
Sponge the stain with a solution of equal parts warm water and dish soap. You’ll want to go in with a vigorous hand!
Rinse thoroughly, and repeat until it’s gone. If your fabric doesn’t contain acetate or triacetate, you can also blot it with a dash of acetone.
Getting Rid of Oil Paint Stains
Oil paint stains are especially tricky, but your garment still stands a chance! Here’s how to get paint out of clothes if it’s an oil paint problem:
Break up hardened paint with a hard object like a metal spoon, then scrape off excess residue.
Once the removable paint is gone, blot the fabric with a clean white cloth.
Rinse the stain under running water. Before it dries, put the garment on a stack of paper towels or white rags with the stain side down.
Wet a sponge with a paint thinner recommended by the paint’s manufacturer, and scrub the stain vigorously from the back. Replace the paper towels or rags when they’re no longer white.
Flip the garment over, and rub dish soap into the stain.
Soak the garment overnight in a tub of water, then wash it as normal.
Washing Away Acrylic Paint Stains
Acrylic paint is a staple of classroom art projects. If your little one ended the school year with more than a few paint stains, don’t panic: these are easy to remove! Simply try the same steps as interior home paint stain removal, but squeeze excess water out of the sponge before rubbing vigorously.
If other school-related stains are on your mind, read our back to school stain tips blog here.
When to Contact a Professional
No matter how good your DIY skills are, some stains are better left to the pros. This list covers everything a dry cleaner can tackle, paint stains included!
Instead of searching “laundromat near me,” contact your local WaveMAX for top-tier dry cleaning. If your schedule is already stacked, we’re happy to help with pick-up and drop-off laundry service. Head to head to our website to schedule yours today!
