Acrylic latex paint is a water-based paint, which means that it can be cleaned with soap and water rather than with chemicals, such as paint thinner or mineral spirits. While you may be able to remove dried paint stains from clothing, you have a better chance of successfully removing the paint if you begin cleaning while the paint is still wet. Work fast when you notice a splatter of paint on your clothing because the stain will become more difficult to remove as it dries and sets.
- Skill level:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things you need
- Cold water
- Heavy-duty laundry detergent
- Washing machine
- Toothbrush
- Hot water
- Bleach
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1
Immerse the clothing in a sink full of cold water as soon as possible after it has been stained with acrylic latex paint. Remove the clothing from the sink and wring it out so that it is damp but not soaking wet and place it directly in your washing machine.
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2
Wash the clothing in your washing machine on the cold water setting using a heavy-duty laundry detergent.
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3
Remove the clothes from the washing machine and inspect them to make sure that the paint has been completely removed. If the paint remains, run the wash cycle again. Do not dry the clothing until the paint is gone or you may set it permanently into the fabric.
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4
Dry the clothing as you would normally when the stain has been completely removed.
Wet Paint
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1
Apply a small amount of laundry detergent directly to the paint. Gently rub the detergent in a circular motion with an old toothbrush. Remember that you are trying to gently loosen the paint from the clothing not scrub the paint deeper into the fabric.
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2
Rinse the clothing in hot water to remove the laundry detergent and see if the stain has faded. Continue to repeat rubbing and rinsing until the paint is noticeably faded.
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3
Wash the clothing in a washing machine set to the hot water setting with a heavy-duty laundry detergent. If the clothing cannot be washed in hot water, use the warmest water appropriate for the fabric according to the care label.
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4
Remove the clothing from the washing machine and check to see if the paint has been removed. If the paint is gone, dry the clothing as you would normally.
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5
Soak the clothing in a sink full of cool water with one cup of bleach added to the water for 15 minutes. Use regular liquid chlorine bleach for white clothing and color-safe bleach for colored items of clothing.
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6
Remove the clothing from the bleach water and rinse it with cool water. If the paint is gone, wash the clothing in your washing machine as you would normally to remove the bleach residue. If the paint is still on the clothing at this point, it probably cannot be removed.
