Introduction
Accidentally getting paint on your clothes can be a frustrating experience. Whether you’ve spilled some paint while doing a craft project or gotten some on you during a home improvement project, the good news is that there are a few ways to get the paint out of your clothes. In this article, we’ll explore how to get dried paint off clothes with a few simple steps.
Use Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is an effective way to remove dried paint from clothing. It works best on water-based paints, but it may also work on oil-based paints. It’s important to test the rubbing alcohol on an inconspicuous part of the fabric before applying it to the stained area.
What is Rubbing Alcohol?
Rubbing alcohol is a type of denatured alcohol that is made up of a mixture of ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. It is also known as isopropyl alcohol and is commonly used as a disinfectant and cleaning agent.
How to Use Rubbing Alcohol to Remove Paint
To use rubbing alcohol to remove paint from clothing, you will need the following items: rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, paper towels, laundry detergent, and a toothbrush.
Start by pouring a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball. Gently dab the stained area with the cotton ball until the paint has been removed. If necessary, you can use a toothbrush to scrub the stained area. Once the paint has been removed, rinse the garment with cold water and then wash it as usual with laundry detergent.
Apply a Grease-Cutting Dish Soap
Another option for removing dried paint from clothing is to apply a grease-cutting dish soap. This method is especially effective on oil-based paints.
What is Grease-Cutting Dish Soap?
Grease-cutting dish soap is a type of soap that is specifically designed to cut through greasy substances, such as oil-based paints. It typically contains a blend of surfactants, which are molecules that lower the surface tension between two substances, allowing them to mix more easily.
How to Use Grease-Cutting Dish Soap to Remove Paint
To use grease-cutting dish soap to remove paint from clothing, you will need the following items: grease-cutting dish soap, a toothbrush, paper towels, and laundry detergent.
Start by wetting the stained area with water and then applying a generous amount of the grease-cutting dish soap. Allow the soap to sit for several minutes before scrubbing the area with a toothbrush. Rinse the stained area thoroughly with cold water and then wash the garment as usual with laundry detergent.
Try Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish remover is another option for removing dried paint from clothing. It works best on water-based paints, but it may also work on oil-based paints.
What is Nail Polish Remover?
Nail polish remover is a chemical solvent that is used to remove nail polish from fingernails and toenails. It typically contains acetone and other chemicals that help to break down the nail polish.
How to Use Nail Polish Remover to Remove Paint
To use nail polish remover to remove paint from clothing, you will need the following items: nail polish remover, cotton balls, paper towels, laundry detergent, and a toothbrush.
Start by pouring a small amount of the nail polish remover onto a cotton ball. Gently dab the stained area with the cotton ball until the paint has been removed. If necessary, you can use a toothbrush to scrub the stained area. Once the paint has been removed, rinse the garment with cold water and then wash it as usual with laundry detergent.
Use a Commercial Paint Remover
If none of the above methods work, you can try using a commercial paint remover. This method is effective on both water-based and oil-based paints.
What is a Commercial Paint Remover?
A commercial paint remover is a chemical solution that is designed to remove paint from surfaces. It typically contains strong chemicals, such as methylene chloride, that can dissolve paint.
How to Use a Commercial Paint Remover to Remove Paint
To use a commercial paint remover to remove paint from clothing, you will need the following items: a commercial paint remover, rubber gloves, paper towels, laundry detergent, and a toothbrush.
Start by wearing rubber gloves to protect your skin from the chemicals in the paint remover. Pour a small amount of the paint remover onto a paper towel and then gently dab the stained area with the paper towel. If necessary, you can use a toothbrush to scrub the stained area. Once the paint has been removed, rinse the garment with cold water and then wash it as usual with laundry detergent.

Scrub with a Toothbrush and Detergent
If all else fails, you can try scrubbing the stained area with a toothbrush and detergent. This method works best on water-based paints, but it may also work on oil-based paints.
What is Needed for this Method?
To use a toothbrush and detergent to remove paint from clothing, you will need the following items: a toothbrush, laundry detergent, and paper towels.
How to Use a Toothbrush and Detergent to Remove Paint
Start by wetting the stained area with water and then applying a generous amount of laundry detergent. Use a toothbrush to scrub the stained area until the paint has been removed. Once the paint has been removed, rinse the garment with cold water and then wash it as usual with laundry detergent.
Conclusion
Accidentally getting paint on your clothes can be a frustrating experience, but there are a few ways to get the paint out. In this article, we explored how to get dried paint off clothes with a few simple steps. We covered methods such as using rubbing alcohol, grease-cutting dish soap, nail polish remover, a commercial paint remover, and a toothbrush and detergent. With these tips, you should be able to remove dried paint from your clothes and have them looking like new again.