How to Get Paint Out of Clothes & Carpets

What are the Different Kinds of Paint?

You may have heard of any number of paints—these could include acrylic paint, spray paint, and fabric paint, among others. Generally speaking, however, all the names for paint boil down to two categories: water-based paints and oil-based paints.

Water-based paints, as the name may indicate, are water-soluble. They dry quicker than oil-based paints but are also easier to remove in the wash. Conversely, oil-based paints have a primary solvent (often a resin) that is not water-soluble. These paints take longer to dry but also have more permanence.

Tempera vs. Acrylic Paint

Tempera and acrylic paints are both water-based, but they differ significantly in water resistance. Tempera paint is not waterproof, even after it dries, making it easily washable with water. In contrast, acrylic paint has more water-resistant properties once it has dried.

There is a notable difference in terms of the makeup of acrylic paint that separates it from tempera washable paint. Acrylic paint is typically composed of a synthetic polymer and other additives in addition to pigment and water, whereas tempera paint usually has an egg-based binder to go along with the pigment and water. Unlike tempera paint, acrylic paint does not need paint primers or thinners, and you can get the preferred consistency by mixing the paint with water.

From a usage and visual perspective, acrylic paints tend to look more vibrant and usually are longer-lasting than tempera paints. However, given it is often the synthetic polymer that is part of its composition, acrylic paints are essentially liquid plastic and thought to be less environmentally friendly.

If you’re curious about fabric paint vs. acrylic paint: they’re essentially the same since fabric paint is also made of acrylic polymers. But fabric paint often has an even thicker composition. Spray paint is also usually made of some form of acrylic polymer and gas propellant, though polyvinyl acetate (PVA) sometimes acts as a substitute for acrylic in spray paints.

Is Acrylic Paint Permanent?

Acrylic paint may be permanent when dried. However, the same can be said for certain types of tempera paint when dried, notably on paper or other painting surfaces. For those reasons, it’s important to address paint stains on clothing or other fabrics as quickly as possible.

Can You Get Paint Out of Clothes?

You can get paint out of clothes depending on the kind of paint that stains your clothes. An additional factor is what kind of fabrics have stains. Some materials, like denim, may have tougher paint stains because the tight weave used to make the clothes may trap the paint. That, in turn, can cause the paint to dry quicker.

How to Get Acrylic & Other Water-Based Paint Out of Clothes

Before addressing any paint stains, regardless of whether they’re still fresh or dry, it’s a good idea to blot the stain with hot water and a clean white cloth or paper towel before scraping off some of the excess paint. After you’ve done that, you need a quality cleaner like OxiClean™ laundry stain remover powder to help get acrylic and other water-based paints out of clothes!

1. Fill

Fill OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover, OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover Free, or OxiClean™ Baby Stain Remover scoop to Line 2 to Line 4 per gallon of water. Fill to Line 2 for regular stains and Line 4 for tougher stains. Submerge stained items in solution after dissolved.

2. Soak

Soak items for 1-6 hours. Depending on the severity of the paint stain(s), some items may require more time to soak.

3. Wash

Wash in the warmest water recommended by fabric care label.

OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover is your do-it-all additive that can help get stains out of laundry, plus soft surfaces and hard surfaces in the bathroom or even your outdoor patio furniture! OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover has the same benefits, plus it’s free of dyes and perfumes. Meanwhile, OxiClean™ Baby Stain Remover is the laundry booster powder you need should your toddler accidentally get paint stains over their clothes, start painting their nighttime stuffed animal, or get paint drips on their favorite toy car.

How to Get Dried Paint Out of Clothes

Although oil-based paint stains may not completely come out of clothes, that isn’t necessarily the case for dried fingerpaint, watercolors, or acrylic paint. If you need a strong stain remover that can help loosen and power out dried paint, look no further than OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray.

1. Spray

Shake before use. Spray directly onto the dried-in paint stain until saturated.

2. Wait

Let stand for 5 minutes or up to a week, depending on the severity of the paint stain. For fabrics prone to color change, do not let the spray stand longer than 5 minutes.

3. Wash

Wash with laundry detergent in the warmest water the fabric will accept.

Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover helps to remove dried paint and other set-in stains by surrounding the stain particles to help loosen and lift them from laundry and other fabrics. It’s capable of tackling the toughest stains from things like grease, blood, and much more.

Maybe you’ve got dried paint stains all over your crew necks and sweatpants after months of painting all the rooms in your new home. Perhaps some of that paint dripped onto your shoes. Or maybe you’re desperately trying to figure out how to get paint out of jeans after you coated your chest in your team’s favorite colors while tailgating for the big game. Not to worry, Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover has you covered!

With Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray, you can pretreat your items and wash up seven days later for especially tough stains. This enzymatic laundry spray also comes in a 2 FL OZ. spray you can easily carry in your luggage, purse, or gym bag so you can treat stains whenever they arise!

How to Get Paint Out of the Carpet

Did paint from your walls drip down onto the carpet as it dried? Are your kids so busy mixing paints in their easel or painting their watercolors that they don’t realize all the paint they’re getting on the carpet? Take a deep breath and turn to OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover to get paint out of the carpet!

1. Mix

Fill OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover powder to Line 1 per 16 ounces of water.

2. Apply

Using a clean white cloth or towel, apply only enough saturation to saturate the paint stain(s) on your carpet.

3. Wait

Allow solution to stand 1-5 minutes. Do not allow solution to dry on fabrics.

4. Blot

Blot with a new, clean white cloth or towel. Repeat until the paint stain(s) is no longer visible.

5. Rinse

Rinse carpet with clean water and blot to dry.

Whether it’s paint drips from your ceilings or walls, toddlers making a mess during crafting time, or you decided to turn your studio apartment into your own gallery, paint can get on the carpet. What’s important is having a stain remover that helps get the paint out so you can keep carpets and rugs looking sharp especially when you’re preparing to host friends or party guests. That’s why you need OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover!

Can I Use Acetone or Hairspray for Paint Stains?

Acetone and hairspray work very effectively in helping get paint out of clothes, especially dried paint. But both items can pull some of the colors from fabric dyes or lead to color bleeding in the wash.

So, instead of acetone and hairspray, find the color-safe OxiClean™ laundry additive powder or pretreatment spray that works best for you!

When Stains Paint the Wrong Picture, Get Them Out with OxiClean™ Laundry Additives!

Painting can be fun. Painting can also take time. Getting paint out of clothes and carpets? Not as fun – and it might also seem time-consuming. But that doesn’t have to be the case when you have OxiClean™ laundry additive powers and sprays at your disposal! Keep some OxiClean™ stain removers in your closet or cabinet to help get rid of paint and other stains on laundry and more.