How to Remove Water Based Paint From Fabric

Published: Oct 22, 2009
Updated: Feb 5, 2019
1 minute read

We've all done it before -- we're working on a project and don't think we'll get any paint on our clothes and then it happens. The first thing to do is look at the ingredients on the package and determine if the paint is water based or not and if it is, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Water-based paint is generally much easier to get out of clothing than oil-based products because it is usually washable with water. Follow these simple steps to remove water-based paint from fabric.

How to Remove Paint from Your Fabric

Wet the spot of paint as soon as possible before it dries. Once the paint hardens, it is not impossible to get out, but it will be more difficult.

Place your clothes under slightly warm water and wash away as much of the paint as possible. Saturate the spot of paint with water.

Lightly rub the affected area with your hands while the water is running on the clothes. Many water-based stains will come out with just water if you try to remove it immediately.

Spray the solvent on the stain or rub it in if necessary. Check the directions to make sure it is for the type of stain you are trying to remove. Let it stand for about an hour, then thoroughly rinse with water. If the stain is not removed, you may need to repeat these steps.

References

Dianne Christensen-Herman

Dianne Christensen-Hermance is an accomplished journalist with more than 10 years experience in writing news and feature articles for newspapers. She is a freelance writer for The Muskegon Chronicle in Muskegon, MI, and Demand Studios. She…

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