Used in home decor, craft projects, and other general paint works, acrylic painting is artists’ favorite. It is explicitly made to dissolve in water, but it can leave stains if it gets on your clothes. So, how to get acrylic paint out of clothing?
Here’s what I discovered:
Fortunately, it is possible to remove it in many cases by acting promptly. Each remedy works regardless of whether the paint is dry or still wet; however, it is always best to scrape off the paint while it is still a bit wet.
Keep reading to find out the step-by-step on how to get acrylic paint out of clothes.
Table of Contents
Does acrylic paint wash off on fabric?
Yes, acrylic paint can be washed off fabrics. Indeed, acrylic paint is easily washable if the proper steps are taken. Acrylic paint is water-based paint; that is, it mainly uses water. Therefore, it cleans up with water.
As long as the acrylic paint is wet, you can wash it off. However, if the acrylic paint dries, it forms a waterproof layer that helps withstand the weather. Since acrylic paint is also used on the skin or can get there, many people are probably familiar with dried acrylic paint. One of the things that help is scrubbing with a brush or using isopropyl alcohol.
So if you want to get acrylic paint from textiles, you should first try washing it out, as long as the paint has not dried. In this condition, you can thoroughly wash the acrylic paint off your clothes.
A so-called “washable” paint means that the paint or its stain can be rubbed vigorously with water and detergent. It is a paint that supports the abrasive side of a double-sided sponge because it has a resistant protective film.
The painter’s advice: never make small circular circles when you want to remove acrylic paint. It is better to rub on the green side of the sponge and remove the stains with the yellow side. Then, immediately wipe either sideways or horizontally with a soft cloth.
Essential items and tools to get acrylic paint out of clothes
First, here are some essential items and tools you’ll need to remove acrylic paint from clothing.
- Water
Water remedies a lot of things. If you’re quick, water will help. Since most acrylic paints contain water as a thinner, they can also be washed out very well with water while still damp. In general, the faster you react, the more successful the stain removal will be.
- Isopropyl alcohol
When the paint is a bit drier, you need isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol is a cleaning agent typically used for disinfecting or degreasing and should only be used for substances that are not sensitive to alcohol.
- Ammonia, vinegar, and salt
Ammonia and vinegar are also valuable home-found items that help dry acrylic paints. You need to soak the garment entirely in the sink or a bucket of cold water for a few minutes. Then mix about 250 ml of ammonia and 250 ml liters of vinegar in a separate container and add a handful of salt.
- Sponge
A sponge can be used for gently scrubbing the paint. The brush is often introduced, for example, after the garment might have been soaked in a solution of ammonia, vinegar, and alcohol. You need to take the garment out of the water, wring it out and use a sponge to rub mixed ammonia-vinegar mixture vigorously on the stain.
- Washing machine
The need for the washing machine may always come last, but you always have to wash the clothes with removed paint.
After the stain or paint removal process, if the stain is no longer visible or can hardly be seen, you can put the clothes in the washing machine as usual.
- Other tools (that may be) needed
In addition to the essential items listed and explained above, here are some items you may need or find also helpful:
- Cleaning brush
- Artist soap
- Washing-up liquid
- Window cleaner
- Hairspray
- Nail polish remover
4 easy ways to remove acrylic paint from clothing
Using dish soap
If the paint is still wet, you’re in luck. The removal process is easy, and there’s a higher chance of successful removal.
Step 1: Expose the part affected by the stain. Hold the fabric under warm running water to remove as much color as possible.
Step 2: Mix a part of dish soap with one part of hot water. You have to use this mixture to get rid of the stain; this is a valuable method. After all, who doesn’t have dish soap at home?
Step 3: Take a sponge or microfiber cloth and dip it into the dish soap solution. Use it to dab the stained surface vigorously, but avoid rubbing excessively; otherwise, the stain may spread. Use your fingernails to scrape off the color, trying to remove as much of it as you can.
Step 4: Next, rinse everything with water. Check if the stain is still present. Repeat the process if you want or if you are not satisfied with the result.
Step 5: Wash your dress as usual. Proceed with a regular wash, making sure the item of clothing can go in the washing machine. Afterward, dry it as usual and check once again for the presence of the stain; hopefully, at this point, it is gone.
Using alcohol
The drier the acrylic paint, the more difficult it will be to remove. However, if the stain didn’t happen too long ago and the paint is not yet completely dry, there are a few different ways to save the garment. However, the methods are sometimes more or less aggressive. Depending on the material, it could be more of harm than good.
This procedure involves the use of isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol. Proceed like this:
Step 1: Wet the stained surface well with isopropyl alcohol
You can buy it online or at a pharmacy for a relatively low price; a pack typically starts from less than $10.
Step 2: Scrape the paint
You can use a fingernail, wooden stick, coin, or another object to strip the color and lift it from the fabric. First, scrape in the direction of the fibers, then in the opposite direction with a back and forth motion; try to eliminate as many as possible before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Put the clothing in a washing machine
Set the program you use for that type of fabric and add your regular detergent. Hopefully, such a wash will be enough to remove the color that you failed to dissolve with alcohol and scrape off.
Step 4: Dry your dress as you always do
If the remedy worked, the stain should be gone thanks to the alcohol and washing. If you are not satisfied with the result, you can repeat the process, but it may just be too late.
Applying vinegar and ammonia
Step 1: Wet the stained area with cold water thoroughly
Put the dress in the sink or a bucket filled with water. Let the clothing soak for a minute before continuing.
Step 2: Make a solution of ammonia, vinegar, and salt
Mix 250ml ammonia with white vinegar and salt in a bowl. To save time, you can prepare the solution while you wait for the dress to soak.
Step 3: Remove the item of clothing from the water
Squeeze it to get rid of excess liquid. Try to get plenty of water out, so the fabric doesn’t drip too much, but don’t worry if it’s still wet or soaked. After all, you put it to soak to get it wet.
Step 4: Dip a microfiber cloth or sponge in the vinegar and ammonia solution
Use it to scrub the stained surface without fear of being too forceful. Wet the thick cloth as needed until the color appears to lift.
Step 5: Rinse the garment with water
Check if the stain is gone; if it is still there, repeat the whole procedure. Hopefully, the color would have faded; you can see the result immediately.
Step 6: Put the pretreated dress in the washing machine
Set the usual program you use, and then dry the fabric. Check the stained area once more and make sure the color has disappeared; if you are not satisfied, you can repeat the whole procedure, but you will probably get minimal results.
With glass cleaner or lacquer
Step 1: Soak the stained area
Get the stained fabric area wet with a rag or kitchen paper. Be careful not to rub the stain; this step is only necessary on fresh paint.
Step 2: Spray the glass cleaner or lacquer on a sponge or cloth
Place the wet area of the rag over the opening of a bottle of nail polish remover and turn the bottle upside down to squeeze out some acetone. Meanwhile, if there is glass cleaner or hairspray on hand, both of these products can remove the acrylic paint stain.
It is advisable to test on a hidden corner of the dress to ensure that the fabric is resistant to these chemicals; if not, you need to follow another method.
Step 3: Rub the stained surface with the damp cloth
Place the rag on the fabric and start scrubbing without being too vigorous; you must prevent the stain from spreading to nearby fibers. Before applying the cleanser, remember to remove as much color as possible using a knife or fingernail.
Step 4: Wash the dress immediately
This very aggressive cleaning solution must be washed quickly before it can damage the fabric; then wash the garment, as usual, the stain should disappear.
Artists Tips for remove Acrylic Paint from Clothing
First, before we start, you’ll need to get the dress prepared. We’ll show you what to do in this case:
- Act fast : Whichever method you’ve chosen to remove acrylic paint from your dress, the sooner you treat the stain, the better your chances of success. Scrape away any lumpy or clotted color using a spoon or knife. If the paint is still fresh, gently pat it dry with kitchen paper or a cloth to absorb it; the goal is to remove as much color as possible.
- Consider the fabrics: A brush is handy with resistant fabrics, significantly if the paint has thickened in large lumps; if you prefer not to use cutlery, this tool is a perfect replacement for the spoon.
- Don’t panic : Don’t give up, don’t throw away your shirt, and don’t get frustrated; even if it is a nice piece of clothing, you can manage to save it from the stain. Act quickly and follow the instructions in the article.
- If you’re dealing with stains, dab ASAP! : Try to get as much paint off as possible by dabbing with kitchen paper. This remedy only works with fresh paint. Remember to pat instead of scrubbing; this way, you can get rid of excess paint that the fabric has not yet absorbed. If you rub, you push the color into the fibers, making cleaning more complex. Once the excess acrylic paint is removed, continue with any of the methods described below.
- As much as possible, prevent the paint from drying out; it is easier to remove it when it is wet.
- Always test the cleaning solution on a hidden corner to understand how the fabric reacts to the cleaning method.
- Another solution is to use denatured alcohol and a kitchen spray degreaser; scrub the mixture into the stain using a toothbrush. This remedy is effective against dry residues that have been on clothes for months.
- Any solution could make the situation worse, depending on the type of fabric, the product used, and the method of application. However, because the dress is already stained anyway, it’s worth a try.
- There is nothing you can do for items that cannot be washed in water. You can try taking them to the laundry to see if it is possible to remedy the situation; if not, find creative ways to cover the stain or integrate it into a decoration.
- You can blot the area with nail polish remover or thinner, but the product could damage the fabric. just give it a try on natural fibers and test a hidden area of the dress.
Final Words
If you have a particularly sensitive or expensive item of clothing, it is advisable to send it to a dry cleaner. Special acrylic paint cleaners, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or household remedies such as hairspray, vinegar, and nail polish remover are suitable solvents.
If you want to use vinegar, you should let the stain soak in it for 24 hours. When using the other solvents, you only soak the stain until the acrylic paint dissolves. Then you wash off the solvent and can then wash the garment in the washing machine.
