Depending on the severity of the stain and the type of fabric you are dealing with, it can be possible to remove fabric paint from clothes.The most important thing to do is to treat the stain as soon as possible.It is easier to remove paint that is still wet than it is to dry it.If you can't remove the paint from your clothing, you may be able to use some tricks to save it.
Step 1: The stain should be dealt with immediately.
The sooner you start fighting the stain, the better you will be at getting it out.If you have wet paint on your clothes, take them off and wash them.If you can't take your clothes off, wash the stain out with them still on.If you wait to deal with the stain and allow the paint to dry, it will be worse.
Step 2: Do not apply any heat to the stain.
Many fabric paints are set by heat, which means they don't fully harden until they are heated.If you want to avoid setting the paint while you are trying to remove it, do not apply heat to your clothing until the stain is completely removed.Don't use hot water to wash your clothes.Unless you're certain the stain is gone, don't put them in the dryer or hair dryer.If your fabric paint does not set with heat, you may use hot water to rinse the stain out, but be sure to read the bottle thoroughly to make sure.
Step 3: Unabsorbed paint should be removed.
If you have a lot of paint on your clothing but not all of it is absorbed into the fabric, it's a good idea to remove as much as you can before you start washing it.The paint can spread to clean sections of the fabric.If you want to remove paint from the fabric, try blotting it up with a paper towel or using a putty knife.You should not rub the paint into the fabric.
Step 4: The stain should be flushed.
Bring your garment to the sink and run the stained area under cold water until the water clears.If you want to avoid accidentally rubbing the paint into your clothing, it's best to do this from the clean side of the fabric.Cold water can be used to avoid setting the stain.Before you start washing your fabric, read the care instructions.Don't try to wash out the stain if the tag says dry cleaning is required.
Step 5: It's a good idea to wash your hands with a detergent.
After the stain has been flushed, apply some detergent to the affected area.One part detergent and one part water is what you should use for the best results.You may have to scrub and rinse several times to get rid of the paint.There are two things that should do the trick: dish soap and laundry detergent.If rubbing the stain with your hands isn't enough, try scrubbing the area with a sponge or brush.An old toothbrush works well.
Step 6: You can machine wash your clothes.
Once you've gotten as much paint out as you can by hand, put your garment in the washing machine on a cold water setting with plenty of detergent.This should remove the rest of the stain.Unless the stain is completely gone, don't use hot water to wash your clothes.Follow the steps for removing dried paint if the clothing still has a stain after it comes out of the washing machine.Dry cleaning or hand washing may damage the fabric, so do not machine wash it.Follow the instructions.
Step 7: Consider the services of a professional cleaning company.
For delicate fabrics that can't be washed at home, you only have to bring the garment to a professional for cleaning.There is no guarantee that a dry cleaner can remove paint stains from silk.If you were unsuccessful in removing the stain yourself, you can consider hiring a professional to clean your fabrics.
Step 8: Remove as much paint as you can.
If you are going to use chemicals to remove a dried paint stain, you should try and remove as much as you can manually.Depending on how much paint is on the fabric, you may be able to get some off with a scraper.You can use a brass wire brush or nylon brush to remove some of the dried paint.As you attempt to remove the paint, be careful not to rip the fabric.If no one comes off, move on to the next step.
Step 9: Put a solvent in it.
Once you have removed as much excess paint as you can, you will need to use an alcohol-based solvent to make the remaining paint soft.You probably already have one of these products at home.To loosen the paint, apply a small amount to it.Rubbing alcohol, turpentine, and mineral spirits are all effective paints.If you don't have any of these, you can try an acetone-based nail polish remover or even hairspray.If none of these products work for you, try visiting your local home improvement store and buying a cleaning product that is specifically designed for removing the type of paint you are dealing with.If you have stubborn stains, you may have to let the solvent sit on the fabric for a while.Be careful with delicate fabrics because of the harsh nature of solvent.There are certain fabrics that will be damaged by acetone.Silk and wool are easy to damage, so always test the solvent on a hidden area before using it.Take your garment to a dry cleaner if it can't be treated with solvent.
Step 10: Take care of the stain.
As the paint begins to break down from the solvent, you should scrub as much of it away as you can.The best way to use a brush is with stiff bristles.If you get most of the paint out, you can move the garment to the sink and continue scrubbing it with detergent and cold water.
Step 11: You can machine wash your clothes.
Put your clothes in the washing machine and wash them in cold water after you have washed them.Unless you are sure that the stain is gone, don't apply any heat to your clothing.
Step 12: Hem your clothes.
You can modify your clothing to get rid of the stained area if you have paint on the bottoms of your pants.If you want to convert your long pants to capris, simply raise the hem.If you know how to sew, you can take it to a tailor to have it professionally done.
Step 13: Make it look intentional.
One way to save your garment is to simply apply more paint.A stain can be incorporated into a fun design on your clothing.No one will ever know that you didn't plan on getting paint on your clothes.Try not to cover up the paint stain with a new paint color that matches the fabric.This might not come out well.
Step 14: The affected area needs to be covered.
If you don't want to apply more paint to the fabric, there are other ways to cover it up.You could cover the area with a patch or sequin.You can find iron-on patches if you don't like sewing.
Step 15: You can reuse the fabric.
If you really like the fabric of your garment, you may be able to make something out of it.If you have paint on your blouse, try making a throw pillow out of the unstained portion.You can cut a large shirt with a paint stain into smaller pieces to make a child's shirt.This requires sewing skills.Patterns for making clothes can be found online.If you don't know how to sew, you should look for a tailor.