How to Remove Paint from Clothes

Paint on Clothes: The Type of Paint Changes Everything

The most important thing to know about paint stains is that the removal method depends entirely on the type of paint. Water-based paints (latex, acrylic) are much easier to remove when wet and require a completely different approach than oil-based paints. Always identify your paint type before treating — using the wrong method can set the stain permanently.

What You'll Need

• Shout Active Enzyme Laundry Stain Remover Spray
• Dawn Ultra Dish Soap
• 99% Isopropyl Alcohol
• Goo Gone Pro-Power
• Microfiber cloths
• Cold water

Method 1: Water-Based Paint (Latex / Acrylic) — While Wet

1. Act immediately — wet latex paint is easy to remove. Rinse with cold water from the back of the fabric immediately.
2. Apply Dawn dish soap and work in gently. Rinse thoroughly. Repeat until no more paint comes out.
3. Apply Shout Enzyme Spray for any remaining stain. Let sit 10 minutes.
4. Machine wash cold. Check before drying.

Method 2: Water-Based Paint (Latex / Acrylic) — Dried

1. Scrape off as much dried paint as possible with a dull knife.
2. Apply isopropyl alcohol. Saturate the dried paint with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and let sit 5 minutes. The alcohol re-softens dried acrylic and latex paint.
3. Scrub with a toothbrush to loosen the softened paint from the fibers.
4. Apply Dawn dish soap and work in. Rinse with cold water.
5. Apply Shout Enzyme Spray for any remaining stain. Let sit 10 minutes.
6. Machine wash cold. Check before drying. Repeat if needed.

Method 3: Oil-Based Paint

1. Act immediately for wet oil paint. Blot up as much as possible with a clean cloth.
2. Apply Goo Gone Pro-Power. Goo Gone Pro-Power helps break down oil-based paint. Apply and let sit 5–10 minutes.
3. Apply isopropyl alcohol for additional solvent action. 99% Isopropyl Alcohol helps dissolve oil-based paint components. Let sit 5 minutes.
4. Apply Dawn dish soap to cut through the oil. Work in and let sit 5 minutes.
5. Rinse with cold water and check. Machine wash cold.
6. Note: Dried oil-based paint is very difficult to remove and may be permanent. Act as fast as possible.

Paint Type Quick Reference

• Latex/acrylic (water-based): Rinse immediately with water; isopropyl alcohol for dried
• Oil-based paint: Goo Gone + isopropyl alcohol; very hard when dried
• Spray paint: See our separate guide on spray paint removal
• Watercolor: Rinse immediately with cold water — usually comes out easily
• Fabric paint: Designed to be permanent — very difficult to remove once dry

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my paint is water-based or oil-based?

Check the paint can label — water-based paints say "clean up with soap and water" while oil-based paints say "clean up with mineral spirits or paint thinner." If you don't have the can, try rubbing the stain with isopropyl alcohol — if paint comes off, it's likely water-based acrylic.

Can dried acrylic paint be removed from clothes?

Yes — 99% isopropyl alcohol re-softens dried acrylic and latex paint, making it possible to scrub out of fabric. The sooner you treat it, the better — very old dried acrylic becomes harder to remove over time.

Is oil-based paint permanent on clothes?

Dried oil-based paint is very difficult to remove and may be permanent. Act immediately while wet using Goo Gone Pro-Power and isopropyl alcohol. For dried oil paint, professional dry cleaning may be the best option.