How to Remove Paint from Clothes

Most of us have experienced a mishap which has ended with paint on our clothes. However, there are those of us who seem to attract disaster. Personally, I always seem to find a freshly painted surface to brush against, or a stray tube of paint to sit on. If you have school going kids, you surely have to deal with this problem. Before you think of discarding the item, we have a few different answers to your query about removing paint from clothes. Your success is likely to depend on the size of the stain, the amount of time that has elapsed since the spill, and the type of paint. Here are some solutions:

Removing Latex Paint from Clothing

For this method, you need some rubbing alcohol and a rag. Start by spraying the paint stain with the rubbing alcohol. Then, take the rag (or old cloth) and rub the area with the paint. Slowly, little by little, the paint will start coming off. Continue to do this, dousing the area with the rubbing alcohol every now and then, to assist the process along. Once all the paint is out, wash and dry the garment. If a faint stain remains, you can try the process again.

Removing Oil Paint from Clothing

A simple method to remove paint from clothes, is to first pour a generous amount of liquid dish soap on the stained area of the garment, and allow it to soak in. Then, take an old cloth and rub the spot. Try to work out the stain, then rinse and repeat from the beginning. While this process does require considerable elbow grease, one can often achieve success with it.

For tougher paint stains, where the above mentioned technique fails to work, another approach must be sought. We start by scrapping off as much paint as can come off with a blunt knife. While doing so, be careful not to cut or damage the cloth. Once you've gotten the paint out as much as possible this way, dip a piece if sponge in some turpentine, and dab it on the stained area. The paint should now peel off with relative ease, but you will be left with oily residue on the clothing. One way to work out this oily residue is to place absorbent paper on both sides of the stain, and hot iron over it. Or combine 1 teaspoon of detergent with 1 cup of lukewarm water, and using the above mentioned method, treat the spot to it. Use a sponge or cloth to rub the spot, and then rinse it out under cool running water. You will only be able to tell how well it has worked when the cloth dries.

A home remedy that works well to remove paint from clothing is hairspray. All you need to do is spray the area with some hairspray and then, rub it with a rag. You may need to repeat the procedure a few times before you see results, so don't give up immediately. If you don't have hairspray, use any other spray that has Isopropyl alcohol in it. However, don't use a spray that will further stain the item, and remember to launder it when you are done. This method works with latex paint too.

Other products like white spirit, paint thinner etc. are also usually used to remove paint from clothes. However, be careful not to spread the stain while trying to get it out. And always remember that glass will break, and clothes will get stained, even if it is your favorite coat.