Tempera paint stains on a table

How to remove paint stains out of clothes

Painting has become your new hobby, but you don’t want removing paint stains from clothes to become the next one. The good news is that with Tide on your side, you can let the creativity and paint fly without having to worry your clothes might end up as cleaning rags. So whether your paint stain is fresh or has dried completely, read on to learn more about how to remove paint from clothing or your carpet.

16 minutes to read

Removing Paint Stains from Different Types of Clothing

As with any stain, the more quickly you can get to it, the better the chances are you can remove it without a fuss. This is especially true with many paints as they’re often formulated to coat surfaces in a durable, protective layer that’s also appealing to the eye. Below, we’ll look at some quick ways you can address getting paint out of clothes.

How to get paint out of jeans

To get paint stains out of jeans, you should start by removing as much excess paint as possible using a dull plastic knife or other scraping tool. Always be careful when pulling paint away from fabric as it may have bound to fibers, so pulling with excessive force may damage threads. Next, pretreat the stain using Tide Ultra Stain Release Stain Remover. Apply directly to the stain and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Next, using a soft-bristled toothbrush, apply some Tide Ultra Stain Release Liquid Detergent to the area, working it into the stain. Finally, wash the jeans as you normally would without rinsing the pretreatment cleaners. They will provide an extra boost of cleaning power for your wash cycle. Once the cycle completes, if the stain persists, repeat the process until you’re satisfied.

How to get paint off a sweatshirt

To get paint stains out of shirts, you should start by removing as much excess paint as possible using a dull plastic knife or other scraping tool. Always be careful when pulling paint away from fabric as it may have bound to fibers, so pulling with excessive force may damage threads. Next, pretreat the stain using Tide Ultra Stain Release Stain Remover. Apply directly to the stain and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Next, using a soft-bristled toothbrush, apply some Tide Ultra Stain Release Liquid Detergent to the area, working it into the stain. Finally, wash the sweatshirt as you normally would without rinsing the pretreatment cleaners. They will provide an extra boost of cleaning power for your wash cycle. Once the cycle completes, if the stain persists, repeat the process until you’re satisfied before drying.

How to get paint stains out of carpet and upholstery

Putting carpets or upholstery in the washing machine might not be possible, so here’s what you can do in case of a paint-stain emergency. Grab a spoon or dull knife and try to scrape of the excess paint as much as possible without spreading the stain to the surrounding area. Pour some liquid detergent on the stain, and let it sit for a few minutes before using a wet sponge or towel to blot up the liquid. Once the stain has come out, put a dry towel over the wet area and weigh it down so it can absorb the remaining moisture.

What else you should know on how to get oil stains out of clothes

Not only do paints come in thousands of brilliant colors, they are also made from a wide range of materials with different properties to enhance their appearance or function. Because of this, understanding how to get paint off of clothes effectively often requires knowing how to approach breaking down and removing the materials that make up the paint in the first place. As with any cleaning process, you should always first check the garment’s care label for specific cleaning instructions then spot test your cleaner in an inconspicuous area of fabric to ensure colorfastness.

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.