Housekeeping Laundry & Linens Stain Removal How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes The key to removing acrylic paint stains from clothing is to act fast. By Jolie Kerr Jolie Kerr Jolie Kerr is a cleaning expert and the author of the New York Times bestselling book, My Boyfriend Barfed In My Handbag ... And Other Things You Can't Ask Martha. Her work has appeared in GQ, Cosmopolitan, The New York Times and Town & Country. A graduate of Barnard College, Jolie lives in a tiny Manhattan apartment with her five vacuum cleaners. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on April 12, 2024 Close Photo: Brie Goldman Project Overview Working Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 1 hour Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $0 to $5 Water-based acrylic paint is a popular choice because of its versatility, quick drying time, and water-solubility, which makes cleaning brushes and hands easy. It's also less toxic than other paints, making it ideal for use around children and pets. However, when dry, acrylic paint becomes water-resistant, making it a difficult stain to remove from clothes. This guide explains how to get acrylic paint out of clothes, as well as methods for removing the paint when it has dried on clothing. Brie Goldman What to Know About Acrylic Paint Stains The most important thing to know about how to get acrylic paint out of clothes is that acrylic paint stains are easy to remove when it's wet, but the stains are quite difficult to eliminate once the paint is dry. If at all possible, treat an acrylic paint stain as soon as it happens by flushing it with cold running water. Once acrylic paint has dried on clothing, it may be impossible to remove it entirely. The pigment in acrylic paint is suspended in a polymer solution that is water-soluble when wet but water-resistant when dry. Isopropyl alcohol is the best choice for removing dried acrylic paint from clothing. While other stain-removing agents, such as ammonia, acetone, or paint thinner, can be used to dissolve acrylic paint, they're best used for removing acrylic paint from hard surfaces rather than from textiles. Additionally, avoid using products with a high concentration of water, like vinegar or window cleaner, because the water content will render them powerless against insoluble stains. When it comes to removing the paint from clothing, stick with isopropyl alcohol. It's also important to be aware that isopropyl alcohol, ammonia, acetone, and paint thinner are flammable. When using one of these to pretreat stains on washable fabrics, take care to flush residue out with cold running water prior to laundering to avoid an appliance fire. The 9 Best Laundry Stain Removers, Tested and Reviewed What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Dried Acrylic Paint 1 Butter knife or scraping tool 1 Rag Materials Wet Acrylic Paint Stain remover Laundry detergent Dried Acrylic Paint Isopropyl alcohol Stain remover Laundry detergent Instructions How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes When acrylic paint gets on an article of clothing, working quickly to flush the paint from the garment will prevent the paint from leaving a permanent stain. Brie Goldman Flush Paint with Cold Water Flush the paint from the clothing by holding the garment under cold running water; it's best to let the water flow through the back side of the clothing so that the water pushes the paint off and away from the fabric rather than through it. If there is a large amount of paint, scoop it off the garment using a plastic spoon or paper towel before flushing it with water. Brie Goldman Pre-treat Stain Use a laundry stain remover or liquid laundry detergent to pre-treat the paint stain. Brie Goldman Wash Clothes Launder the item, as usual, using the hottest water temperature the garment can tolerate, according to the care instructions on its tag. Brie Goldman Check Stain Before Drying Check that the stain came out in the wash before putting it in the dryer. The heat from a dryer will set a stain. If there's still a lingering stain, simply repeat the stain removal process. How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes Once It Dries Once acrylic paint has dried, it's difficult to remove from clothing. The following method may work, but before proceeding, it's worth considering whether the garment is worth salvaging. Brie Goldman Scrape the Paint Use a butter knife or scraping tool to scrape the paint off the fabric. Brie Goldman Break the Paint Down Use a rag to apply the isopropyl alcohol to the stain, rubbing gently to work it into the paint. Isopropyl alcohol can break down the water-resistant top layer of dried acrylic paint. If pigment transfers from the garment to the rag, the alcohol is working to break down the paint. Brie Goldman Pretreat Stain Once the top layer of the paint has been dissolved, flush the alcohol from the garment with cold running water, and use a laundry stain remover or liquid laundry detergent to pretreat the stain. Brie Goldman Wash Clothes Launder the item as usual, using the hottest water temperature the garment can tolerate, according to the care instructions on its tag. Here's How Much Laundry Detergent to Use for the Best Results Brie Goldman Check Stain Before Drying The heat from a dryer sets stains, so check that the stain comes out in the wash before putting the garment in the dryer. If there's still a lingering stain, simply repeat the stain removal process.