How to remove paint stains out of clothes

Isopropyl alcohol is a fantastic choice for cleaning acrylic paints as it helps break down bonds so it can be flushed away. Many acrylics are formulated as “washable,” which makes them easier to remove in the wash. Start by applying a Tide To Go pen to the stained area, then dab at the stain with a clean, white cloth. After your pretreatment has had 10 or 15 minutes to sit, wash as you normally would. Inspect the stain once the cycle completes and repeat the process if necessary.

While wet latex paint can often be removed by soaking the stained area in a mixture of Tide Ultra and warm water before blotting with a clean paper towel, isopropyl alcohol is also an excellent choice for attacking latex paint stains. Soaking the latex paint stain in the alcohol for 10 to 15 minutes before washing as you normally would often takes care of these troublesome stains. If the stain persists following your wash cycle, repeat the process until satisfied.

Painting with oil-based paints is beautiful, but removing oil-based paint stains can be mighty ugly. Understanding how to remove oil-based paint stains from your clothes starts with blotting the stain from the back with a clean, dry cloth. Once the excess has been removed, using white spirit or turpentine (after spot checking on an inconspicuous area of the fabric) gently blot the stain to remove as much remaining paint as possible. Next, apply your Tide Ultra Stain Remover directly to the stained area, brushing it in with a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush. Finally, throw in the wash as you normally would, then repeat the process after the cycle completes if the stain persists.

As with many paints, spray paint stains are best attacked with rubbing alcohol applied directly to the stained area. Provided you’ve spot tested the fabric first to ensure colorfastness and no damage occurs, you can also try an acetone or nail polish remover applied directly to the stain. Following this treatment, rub some Tide Ultra Stain Release Detergent directly to the stained area and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before washing as you normally would. Don’t rinse the stain before washing as the embedded cleaners should provide a boost to your wash cycle. If the stain persists, repeat as needed until the area is clean, then dry the garment.

Depending on the type of paint dried to your clothing, certain cleaners will work better than others, so don’t be afraid to experiment a bit when trying to get dry paint out of your clothes. Start by scraping off any excess paint, then spot test inconspicuous areas of fabric with rubbing alcohol, acetone, or nail polish remover to ensure these cleaning methods won’t damage or fade your fabric. Once you’ve determined they’re safe, apply them to the dry paint to begin breaking it down, then dab at the stain with a clean paper towel or white cloth to remove from fibers. Once you’re satisfied with the cleaning process, scrub a little Tide Ultra Stain Remover into the stain with a soft-bristled toothbrush, then wash as you normally would. Repeat the process as needed if the stain persists, then dry the garment and put it away.

A soaking solution of vinegar mixed with water can alternatively be used in case of paint stains, but Tide Liquid Detergent was specifically designed to be used against stains, so it’s always a more reliable solution.

If you mix baking soda with water and apply the paste directly to the paint stain, it helps draw it out from the fabric, but for the best results, we recommend using a solution of Tide Liquid Detergent mixed with water as pretreatment.

Rubbing alcohol can be effective against paint stains, but unfortunately, it can also fade the color of your clothes. So your best bet for pretreatment is a solution of Tide Liquid Detergent mixed with water.