how to remove acrylic paint from clothes

How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes – Our Top Methods

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Acrylic paint is a very common paint that is used all over the world. While it is the most popular type of paint to use, acrylic paint can have its issues. If it spills on your clothes, it can be a hassle getting it off once dried. You could spend half the day scrubbing until your hands turn red! You may be asking yourself, ”what now?”.  Not to worry, we will discuss some helpful tips on how to get acrylic paint off clothes.

 

 

Fast Removal of Acrylic Paint

Acrylic is a fast-drying paint that contains various components such as pigments, oils, defoamers, and stabilizers. You can use this type of paint for most DIY projects such as interior designs or your general painting jobs at home and work. There is one important aspect you need to know about how to get acrylic paint off your clothes. This is what you do before you get to the nitty-gritty part of actually removing the paint from the clothes. Whenever you are creating a DIY project, always wear protective clothing.

This includes clothes such as overalls, old worn-out t-shirts, and pants. That way, even if you stain them, it’s not a big deal. But acrylic paint can still spill on carpets, rugs, and so on. It is advisable to be extra vigilant when painting. Once you have scraped the excess acrylic paint from the clothes, use a wet paper towel to soak the paint that is still left (if the acrylic paint is still wet). The reason for this is to limit the wet paint from spreading to other parts of the clothes. Remember to do this process very quickly before the acrylic paint dries!

removing acrylic paint

 

 

Warm Water is Essential

Now you can rinse the clothes in warm water.  Why? Well, the quicker you do this the better. If you leave the acrylic paint on the clothes for long it will get absorbed by the material and it will become more difficult to remove. Knowing how to get dried acrylic paint out of clothes is a much trickier process.

Why not just use cold water straight from the tap? Warm water makes it easier to break apart the stain molecules on the clothes which results in the stains fading from the material. Once you are done, you can use a blunt knife or anything that can scrape the excess acrylic paint.  Gently scrape off the acrylic paint that is left on the clothes. Do not rush or harshly do the scrapping process because you will rip or ruin your clothes.

 

 

Using Liquid Soap

Remember to add soap to warm water because the soap contains various enzymes that loosen the stains and lifts them off your clothes into the water. Always apply soap on the stained area as well and gently rub on the stain. You can use a  sponge to scrub the leftover paint on the clothes and then wash the clothes in warm soapy water.

If you still notice some left-over stains, add a stain remover. If you opt to wash the clothes in a washing machine after you have done this process. Always wash your clothes separately without mixing them with the ones that do not have acrylic paint. This will prevent the stain from spreading to your other clothes.

Note: Never use a washing machine to wash clothes/materials if they still have stains on them. This might spread the stain to the rest of the clothes.

how to remove acrylic paint

 

 

How to Remove Acrylic Paint From Clothes: 5 Methods

Acrylic paint can be removed from clothes and material through various different techniques. Below are a few extra, yet helpful, methods you can follow on how to get dried acrylic paint out of clothes.

 

How to Get Acrylic Paint Off Clothes Using Isopropyl Alcohol

If you feel warm soapy water is not going to do you any cleaning justice, try Isopropyl alcohol. Simply apply the solution to the stained/affected area of your clothes and allow the area to soak up the isopropyl completely. Thereafter, you can use any object to gently scrape the paint off your clothes. Gently scrape forward and backward to allow the object to lift off any of the remaining paint from the clothes. When you are done removing as much paint as you can, put the clothes in a washing machine and add your usual washing soap/detergent.  Dry your clothes in the same usual way you are used to.

Note: You can repeat this process if there is still a bit of stain left.

how to get dried acrylic paint out of clothes

 

How to Remove Acrylic Paint Using Ammonia and Vinegar

If you do not have isopropyl at home or work, mix ammonia, vinegar, and a pinch of salt to create a working solution to help in removing excess paint off your clothes. Soak the stained clothes in cold water, take them out once they have been entirely soaked into the water. You can use a sponge dampened with the ammonia and vinegar mixture to gently rub on the stained area of the clothes.

Rinse the clothes and repeat the process until the acrylic paint stains have been removed. You can thereafter proceed to wash the clothes in your washing machine using your usual detergent and dry them in your usual manner. This is a good method for anyone wanting to know how to get dried acrylic paint out of clothes with normal household products.

 

How to Remove Acrylic Paint Using Dishwashing Detergent

You can use dishwashing liquid to get rid of acrylic paint stains. It is inexpensive and easy to use. Turn your clothes inside-out and pour warm water on the stained area, thus allowing the warm water to flush out excess stains/paint. Mix warm water and dishwashing liquid and soak a sponge into the solution. Proceed to dab the sponge on the stained area of your clothes.

Use your fingernails also as a means of scraping off any acrylic paint that might be leftover. If there are still any visible stains, you can repeat the process. Rinse the clothes in water once the stains are gone and then pop the clothes into a washing machine. Use your laundry detergent to wash and then dry the clothes once you are done.

how to get acrylic paint off clothes

 

How to Remove Acrylic Paint Using Hairspray

Dab or blot the affected area with a towel or rag if the acrylic paint is still wet. This is done to soak up the excess paint. If the acrylic paint is dry, scrape the area using a blunt object to remove the acrylic paint from the clothes. Grab a clean towel or sponge and soak hairspray into the towel or sponge.  Dab or blot it on the affected area. You have to spray the hairspray solution on the affected area. Once you are done, rinse the clothes and use your usual laundry detergent to wash them. Leave your clothes to dry completely before use.

 

How to Remove Acrylic Paint Using Acetone

If you want a stronger solution, you should try acetone. It is ideal for those hard-to-reach areas on your clothes, but it cannot be used on plastic objects and synthetic material. Acetone works well on metal and glass. Apply this solution to the hard-to-reach affected areas. You can use an old rag or cloth to do this. Use and handle acetone with caution. Once you are done and your areas have been fully covered with acetone, rinse your clothes in water. Wash the clothes in your usual manner and leave them to dry.

Note: Acetone has low toxicity but it is highly flammable. Be sure to use it responsibly!

how to get acrylic paint out of clothes

 

 

Removing Acrylic Paint From Upholstery and Carpets

Do you know that you can also remove acrylic paint from carpets and upholstery using easy methods? Well, as much as we love acrylic paint for our artwork and designs, sometimes it can unintentionally end up on our carpets and other household items.

You might be having an awesome DIY project going on then the next thing you see is a stain of paint on your carpet. At times we try as much as we can to cover other objects so that they will not be affected by paint during the process. But things do not always go as planned. For this, we have developed a few tricks that might help you. The following are some of the tricks you can use to remove paint from your special household items without much hassle. Do not panic! Follow these tricks:

  • Use a blunt knife to gently scrape off the excess acrylic paint
  • Add warm water to a bucket or container and soak a washcloth in the warm water
  • Add detergent or dishwashing liquid or even a bar of soap (make sure the water gets ‘soapy’)
  • Put the washcloth into the soapy water and dab and blot the stain on the affected area. Do not rub
  • Rinse the washcloth every time you dab and blot to remove the lifted stains, thus making sure it does not spread to other areas of the object
  • Repeat the process until the stain is completely removed

cleaning paint off clothes

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is a Toothbrush Useful in Removing Acrylic Paint From Clothes?

Yes, it is! It is an easy way of scrubbing the paint off.  The bristles will lift the paint from those tough corners and layers of your clothes

 

Is There a Way To Dissolve Hardened Acrylic Paint?

Acrylics can dissolve in water because they are water-soluble. You can use water to dissolve the hardened acrylic paint. Use two drops of warm water to moisten the paint on the affected area.

 

Can Vinegar Remove Acrylic Paint?

Yes, vinegar is an environment-friendly way of removing paint from hard surfaces like wood. It does not contain any harmful chemicals, thus, it is very safe and easy to use.

 

Knowing how to get acrylic paint out of clothes is something that most artists may have to learn at some stage. The above guide on how to remove acrylic paint from clothes should have covered everything you need to know to keep your workspace and clothing safe from paint stains. We hope these methods work for you!

 

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