How To Remove Acrylic Paint From Clothes – 11 Ways

Accidents happen! If you’re an artist, you know that all too well. You might be painting away with acrylic paints and suddenly find yourself with a big splotch of color on your clothes or even worse –your furniture!

Don’t panic – there are ways to remove dried acrylic paint from fabric without ruining the garment.

Here is a guide on how to remove acrylic paint from clothes quickly and easily so that your wardrobe isn’t ruined.

How To Remove Acrylic Paint From Clothes

Use a combination of warm water and soap, nail polish remover with acetone, or even rubbing alcohol to break down and lift off the paint. Once you have removed as much as possible with each remedy, either use a special laundry detergent designed to remove tough stains, or a pre-treater spray to help further clarify things. And finally, throw everything in the washing machine and cross your fingers that your clothes come out paint-free!

Will Acrylic Paint Come out of Clothes?

Yes, it is possible to remove dried acrylic paint from clothing. There are a few steps that need to be followed in order for the paint to come out correctly.

First, you should scrape off any excess paint from the garment as much as possible with a putty knife or spoon and then use soap and water or rubbing alcohol to remove the remaining paint.

Finally, you may have to use a commercial product such as Goo Gone for stubborn acrylic paint stains. We will talk about other improved methods of removing acrylic paint from clothes in this article.

The Best Ways to Remove Acrylic Paint From Clothes

There are several methods for removing dried acrylic paint from clothes, depending on the type of fabric and the amount of stain.

1. Soap and Water

Soap and water is an easy way to remove acrylic paint from clothes. First, try to scrape off as much of the paint as you can using a putty knife or spoon.

Then use soap and water to remove any remaining paint. You can either use liquid laundry detergent or gentle soap, such as baby shampoo.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove acrylic paint from clothes using soap and water:

• Soak the stained area of the clothing in warm soapy water for 10-20 minutes.
• Gently scrub the stained area using a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse off the soap and water with cold water.
• Repeat steps 1-3 until all of the paint has been removed.

2. Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is another great way to remove acrylic paint from clothes.

It is important to remember that rubbing alcohol can be damaging to certain fabrics, so it is best to test a small area of the clothing first before using it on the entire stain.

Here’s how to use rubbing alcohol to get acrylic paint out of clothes:

• Put the stained area of the clothing over a bucket or bowl.
• Pour rubbing alcohol over the acrylic paint stain until it is saturated.
• Let the rubbing alcohol sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Gently scrub the stained area using a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse off the rubbing alcohol with cold water.
• Repeat steps 1-5 until all of the paint has been removed.

3. Ammonia and Detergent

Ammonia and detergent can also be used to remove acrylic paint from clothing. The ammonia and detergent mix should be used carefully, as it can be harsh on certain fabrics.

Ammonia is also dangerous to breathe in, so make sure that the area is well-ventilated.

Here’s how to use ammonia and detergent to remove acrylic paint from clothes:

• Mix 2 parts ammonia with 1 part laundry detergent in a container.
• Soak the stained area of the clothing in the solution for 10-20 minutes.
• Gently scrub the stained area using a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse off the ammonia and detergent solution with cold water.
• Repeat steps 1-4 until all of the paint has been removed.

4. Acetone

Acetone is another great way to remove acrylic paint from clothes. You either use nail polish remover, which is typically acetone-based or buy pure acetone from a hardware store.

It is important to note that acetone can damage certain fabrics, so it should only be used as a last resort and on fabrics that can withstand it.

Here’s how to remove acrylic paint from clothes using acetone:

• Soak the stained area of the clothing in acetone for 10-20 minutes.
• Gently scrub the stained area using a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse off the acetone with cold water.
• Repeat steps 1-3 until all of the paint has been removed.

5. Goo Gone

Goo Gone is a commercial product that is specially formulated to remove adhesive, sticker residue, and other difficult stains from fabrics.

It can also be used to remove acrylic paint from clothes safely. One good thing about Goo Gone is that it is gentle on fabrics and won’t damage them like some of the other methods.

Here’s how to use Goo Gone to remove acrylic paint from clothes:

• Apply a generous amount of Goo Gone to the stained area.
• Let the Goo Gone sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Gently scrub the stained area using a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse off the Goo Gone with cold water.
• Repeat steps 1-4 until all of the paint has been removed.

6. Paint Thinner

A paint thinner can also be used to remove acrylic paint from clothing. It is important to note that paint thinners can be flammable and should be used with caution.

It is also important to test a small area of the fabric before using it on the entire stain.

Here’s how to use paint thinner to remove acrylic paint from clothes:

• Soak the stained area of the clothing in a mixture of 1 part paint thinner and 2 parts water for 10-20 minutes.
• Gently scrub the stained area using a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse off the paint thinner solution with cold water.
• Repeat steps 1-3 until all of the paint has been removed.
• Use a toothbrush to remove any remaining paint.

7. Baking Soda Mixture

Baking soda is mildly abrasive and can be used to gently scrub away the acrylic paint from clothing. This method should only be used on fabrics that can withstand a mild abrasive.

When using baking soda to remove acrylic paint from clothing, the ratio of powder to lukewarm water should be about 1:3.

For example, one tablespoon of baking soda to three tablespoons of water. Here’s how to use a baking soda mixture to remove acrylic paint from clothes:

• Mix 1 part baking soda with 3 parts lukewarm water in a container.
• Soak the stained area of the clothing in the solution for 10-20 minutes.
• Gently scrub the stained area using a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse off the baking soda solution with cold water.
• Repeat steps 1-4 until all of the paint has been removed.

8. Hairspray

Hairspray can also be used to loosen and remove acrylic paint from clothes. It is important to note that hairspray should only be used on synthetic fabrics, as it can damage natural fabrics.

Check the ingredients on the hairspray bottle to confirm it is alcohol-based, as this will work best.

Here’s how to use hairspray to remove acrylic paint from clothes:

• Spray the stained area of the clothing with hairspray.
• Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Gently scrub the stained area using a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse off the hairspray with cold water.
• Repeat steps 1-4 until all of the paint has been removed.

9. Stain Remover (Commercial Stain Remover)

Stain removers are specially formulated to remove difficult stains from fabric.

While there are many different types of stain removers available, look for one that is specifically formulated to remove paint and acrylics.

Here’s how to use a stain remover to remove acrylic paint from clothes:

• Apply a generous amount of the stain remover directly to the stained area.
• Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Gently scrub the stained area using a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse off the stain remover with cold water.
• Repeat steps 1-4 until all of the paint has been removed.

10. Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizers can also be used to remove acrylic paint from clothing. While this method is not as effective as others, it can help to loosen and remove some of the stubborn paint.

Here’s how to use hand sanitizer to remove acrylic paint from clothes:

• Apply a generous amount of hand sanitizer directly to the stained area.
• Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Gently scrub the stained area using a soft brush or sponge.
• Rinse off the hand sanitizer with cold water.
• Repeat steps 1-4 until all of the paint has been removed.

11. Washer and Dryer

If the paint stain is still present after trying all of the above methods, it may be time to use a washer and dryer. Is acrylic craft paint washable? Yes.

To do this safely, you will need to put the stained clothing in a mesh laundry bag before washing.

This will help to keep the fabric from getting tangled up with other items and damaging them in the process.

Here’s how to use a washer and dryer to remove acrylic paint from clothes:

• Place the stained clothing in a mesh laundry bag.
• Set the washer to the hottest setting possible for the fabric type, and add regular detergent.
• Run the cycle as normal and then transfer the clothing item to the dryer.
• Run the dryer on the hottest setting possible for the fabric type.
• Check to see if the paint has been removed after the cycle is complete.
• Repeat steps 1-4 until all of the paint has been removed.

Once you have successfully removed all of the acrylic paint from your clothing, air dry it and examine the fabric for any damages.

If there are no signs of damage, the clothing is safe to wear again. However, if there is any noticeable damage or discoloration to the fabric, it should be discarded and replaced with a new item.

Avoid These Ingredients

When attempting to remove acrylic paint from clothing, you should avoid using any products that contain bleach or harsh chemicals.

These can damage the fabric and make it impossible to restore the item to its original condition.

It is also important to note that some methods may not be suitable for certain fabrics.

Always check the care label before attempting any of these methods to ensure that the fabric can tolerate it.

Finally, if the stain is still present after attempting all of these methods, take the clothing item to a professional dry cleaner for assistance.

They have specialized cleaning products and techniques that may help to remove any stubborn paint stains.

How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Upholstery & Carpet

Removing acrylic paint from upholstery and carpet can be a difficult process. Here are some tips on how to get rid of the stain safely:

Upholstery

If you have spilled acrylic paint on your furniture, do not attempt to remove it yourself.

Instead, take the item to a professional cleaner as soon as possible. They have the tools and products necessary to safely remove the paint from the fabric.

Carpet

When it comes to carpets, there are a few steps you can take to try and remove the paint yourself. Start by vacuuming up any excess acrylic paint with a wet vacuum cleaner or steam cleaner.

Next, use an enzymatic cleaner to break down the stain, and then rinse it off with cold water. If you are still unable to remove the paint, contact a professional for assistance.

How to Get Acrylic Paint out of Other Surfaces

Acrylic paint can be difficult to remove from other surfaces, such as wood, metal, and plastic. Here are some tips on how to safely remove acrylic paint from these materials:

Wood

Remove any excess paint with a damp cloth. Then, use a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water to scrub away the stain. Finish by wiping down the surface with a dry cloth. Read more here on how to get acrylic paint off wood.

Metal

Mix equal parts baking soda and lemon juice to create a paste. Apply the paste to the stained area and scrub it gently with a soft brush or sponge. Rinse off the solution with cold water.

Plastic

Mix together one part rubbing alcohol and three parts warm water in a bowl, stirring until it becomes a thick paste.

Apply the paste to the stained area and scrub gently with a soft brush or sponge. Rinse off the solution with cold water.

Glass

Use one part white vinegar and four parts warm water to scrub away the paint. Finish by wiping down the surface with a clean cloth. Here’s a comprehensive guide on How to Remove Acrylic Paint from Glass.

Remember – no matter what type of surface you are attempting to clean, always test any cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it won’t damage your material.

Following these tips can help you safely and effectively remove acrylic paint stains from clothing, upholstery, carpet, wood, metal, plastic, and glass.

With the right techniques, you can restore your items back to their original condition in no time!

FAQs

Conclusion

Removing acrylic paint from clothing can be a tricky process. However, with the right techniques and tips provided in this article, you should have no problem getting your items back to their original condition.

Make sure to always test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it won’t damage the material before using it.

With these simple steps and solutions at hand, removing acrylic paint is as easy as 1-2-3!