It can be quite frustrating to get latex paint on your favorite clothes. If you accidentally hit a freshly painted wall or drop yellow paint on your new sweater, don't be discouraged! Depending on the amount of paint and the type of fabric, you can remove latex paint stain with detergent, alcohol, thinner, or even hairspray.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Use rubbing alcohol
Step 1. Dampen a cloth with warm water
Lightly dampen a clean cloth with warm water. Blot the stain with a rag to slightly dampen the stained fabric.
Step 2. Pour rubbing alcohol on the stain
There are many ways to remove latex paint, and one of the most effective is to dissolve the paint with rubbing alcohol. Open a bottle of rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. Rub generously with alcohol.
- If you have a clean garden sprayer, pour rubbing alcohol into it and spray it over the stain.
- If ink has been on the garment for a while, wait a few minutes for the alcohol to soak into the fabric.
Step 3. Rub the fabric against itself
After the fabric is thoroughly saturated with alcohol, you can rub it against yourself to remove the stain. Just rub one section of the fabric against another.
- If necessary, you can add isopropyl alcohol at this stage.
- You can rub the fabric vigorously, unless you are dealing with delicate material.
Step 4. Scrub the stain with a garment brush
You can use a clothing or even a toothbrush, depending on the size of the latex paint stain. Rub isopropyl alcohol over the stain to remove it.
If desired, you can use a pumice stone instead of a clothing brush
Step 5. Rinse off the stain with warm water
Dampen a clean cloth with warm water and wipe off any paint and alcohol. You can also bring the stained cloth to the sink and simply run the tap water over it.
Step 6. Put the stained clothing into the washing machine
After removing the latex paint stain, place the garment in the washing machine. Follow the directions for washing on the label. Washing will remove latex paint and rubbing alcohol from the fabric.
- Wash your clothes in hot water.
- Soiled clothing can be washed separately to prevent latex paint from spilling onto other items of clothing.
Method 2 of 4: Use dish soap
Step 1. Rinse the latex paint stain with warm water
Place the dirty part under the tap and run warm water. Try to rinse off as much latex paint as possible, especially if the stain is fresh.
Step 2. Check the fabric and make sure the detergent does not discolor it
Apply some liquid dish soap to the inside seam of the garment you want to clean. Rub the product over the seam and see if the fabric fades. If the color of the fabric does not change, then the detergent is harmless and can be used to remove the stain.
If the detergent discolors the fabric, you will have to take the garment to a dry cleaner
Step 3. Prepare a cleaning solution with one part detergent and one part water
Dishwashing detergent is designed to break down grease, so it can dissolve latex paint as well. Mix dish soap and water in a 1: 1 ratio.
Step 4. Dampen a sponge with detergent solution and apply it to the stain
Wait three minutes for the solution to saturate the fabric. Then, rub the stained area with a clean rag to remove the stain.
Step 5. Rub the fabric so that foam forms
Rub the sponge well to create a thick foam. Rub the fabric until the paint is visible.
- If necessary, you can reapply the cleaning solution and rub the stain.
- If you can't get rid of the stain with detergent, you'll need rubbing alcohol.
Step 6. Rinse and wash your clothes
Run warm water over the stain and rinse off any remaining detergent and paint. Then load the cleaned clothes into the washing machine.
- Follow the instructions on the label when washing clothes.
- Wash contaminated clothing separately from other items.
Method 3 of 4: How to remove small stains
Step 1. Apply hairspray to a small spot
Place contaminated clothing on a flat surface. Spray a small spot with hairspray. Leave the varnish on for a few minutes to allow the alcohol in it to break down the paint, then rub lightly with a cloth brush. Then wash the clothes as usual and dry them in the tumble dryer.
Step 2. Rub the stain with hand sanitizer
Apply some hand sanitizer to a small spot and scrub the fabric with a toothbrush to remove latex paint. Because hand sanitizer contains alcohol and is easy to use, it is a quick and effective way to remove paint stains.
Step 3. Rub the stain with paint thinner
Pour half a cup (120 ml) of solvent into a clean yogurt jar. Dampen a clean rag with it and rub it over the latex stain. When the rag is dirty, you can squeeze the excess liquid into another yogurt jar. Rub the stain until all the paint has been removed.
- If the stain is difficult to remove, you can apply paint thinner directly to the soiled cloth.
- Please note that paint thinner can damage delicate fabrics.
Step 4. Use special cleaning products to remove stubborn stains
Specialty cleaners are available that are designed to remove sticky materials. If you have such products, they should be used in a well-ventilated area, as they often have a strong odor. Apply the cleaner to the stain and wait two minutes for it to soak into the fabric. You can then rub the fabric with a pumice stone or something similar. Finally, rinse the cleaned area and wash your clothes.
If necessary, you can repeat this procedure
Step 5. Use a cotton ball soaked in alcohol to remove a small stain
If you need to remove small latex paint stains, you can use cotton swab and rubbing alcohol. Press a cotton ball against the neck of the alcohol bottle. Tip the bottle over to soak the cotton wool with alcohol. Then rub a small spot with a cotton swab.
Step 6. Apply lavender oil to a small stain of latex paint
Small latex paint stains can also be removed with lavender oil, although it is more expensive than alcohol. Apply 5-7 drops of lavender oil to the stain. Wait for the oil to take effect (this usually takes half an hour to one hour). You can also rub the stain with a spoon.
Method 4 of 4: How to remove dried paint
Step 1. Wipe off excess paint with a butter knife
While the knife can damage delicate and delicate fabrics, the butter knife can scrape latex paint off denim and other thick, sturdy fabrics. Place your garment on a hard surface such as an ironing board. Aim the knife away from you, press it against the fabric and scrape off any drops of latex paint from it.
Step 2. Apply adhesive tape to the dirty area
If the latex paint is dry, excess paint can be removed with duct tape. Cut a piece of duct tape, place it over the latex paint stain, and press firmly against the fabric. After that, tear off the tape from the fabric to remove the pieces of latex paint!
Step 3. Use a disposable razor to remove latex paint stain from thick fabric
Although a disposable razor can damage cotton, silk, and other relatively delicate materials, it can remove latex paint from wool and denim. Place the cloth on a hard surface, such as an ironing board, and wipe off the latex paint with a disposable razor.
It is best to use an old and dull razor, as the new one can damage the fabric
Step 4. Try scraping off the paint with a nail file
If you stain thick fabric with a small amount of paint, you can remove it with a regular nail file or fine sandpaper. Gently rub the dirty area with a nail file to remove any paint. Then wash and dry your clothes.
Gently rub the fabric as you remove the stain to avoid creating a hole in the clothing
Advice
- If there are only a few drops of paint on your clothes, try scraping them off with your fingernail.
- Try cleaning your clothes with a stain remover.
- You can use an old toothbrush to remove small latex paint stains.
- Before using dish soap, be sure to check to see if it discolors the fabric.
Warnings
- If you are trying to scrape off paint with a pumice stone or knife, remember that they can damage fabric, especially cotton and silk.
- The longer a latex stain remains on your clothing, the more difficult it will be to remove.
- If you're trying to scrape off latex paint with a disposable razor, be careful not to accidentally cut the fabric.
- Chemicals such as nail polish remover can be hazardous as many are flammable and toxic.