Ideas On How To Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes in 2024

Are you wondering how to get acrylic paint out of clothes? That's a great question and one we'll be answering in this article! But first... the basics.

Acrylic paints are some of the most popular materials to work with for both studio artists and crafters alike. Water-based and easy to blend, the acrylics offer the coverage and thickness of oils without the difficult cleanup, as well as the vivid hues and thickness not quite possible in watercolors. There is an abundance of great acrylic painting ideas for beginners that can start you off on your art journey.

Acrylic paints are also water soluble, meaning that cleanup is a little easier than other materials like ink or oil-based paints. If you're wondering which to choose in a match between acrylic vs oil paint, acrylics offer many more options for clean-up using ordinary water.

How do you get dried acrylic paint out of clothes? Is acrylic paint permanent on clothes? There are a number of approaches to removing both wet and dried acrylic paint from clothes, most involving substances that you may already have in your home like dish soap, rubbing alcohol or baking soda. The key is getting to the spot immediately to prevent its setting. The methods we'll mention in this article show how to quickly remove acrylic paint from clothes at home or in the studio without having to take the fabric to a professional. 

Jump to Section

• How To Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes With Baking Soda, Dish Soap or Rubbing Alcohol
• How To Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes With Hairspray or Nail Polish Remover
• How to Remove Dried Acrylic Paint From Clothes
• How To Remove Dried Acrylic Paint From Clothes Without Rubbing Alcohol

How To Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes With Baking Soda, Dish Soap or Rubbing Alcohol

1. Prevention

The best way to combat paint stains is to prevent them in the first place. So, wear clothes you don't mind getting stains on or an apron that covers any vulnerable spots. Even the best-laid plans often go awry in the studio or craft room, where spills, drips and splotches cannot always be avoided entirely when working with any kind of paint, leaving you wondering how to get paint out of clothes.

Luckily, acrylic paints are one of the easiest paints to remove. Most paint splotches can be taken care of by removing the excess paint immediately with a knife, swab or flat edge (like a credit card). This will help keep any additional paint from spreading to parts of the fabric surrounding the stain. You will also want to work inward as you clean toward the center of the stain, if possible. 

2. Soap and Water

The simplest idea for how to get acrylic paint out of clothes is to apply a soap and water solution to the fabric. Rub the fabric with your fingers to help the soap and water penetrate the threads. You can also use a scouring brush or toothbrush to really get in there. Rinse from under the fabric on the reverse side, allowing the water to pour through the stain and help remove it. Use cold water, which will help keep the stain from setting, especially if there is still a lot of paint on the surface. Turn to warmer water later if you still have remaining splotches, which helps the dish soap work more readily and loosens the threads a little. 

3. Baking Soda

If you don't want to use dish soap, try a baking soda solution with water applied with a brush to create a paste that can also help remove spots and stains caused by acrylic paint. If you thinking about how to get acrylic paint out of clothes like jeans or thick canvas, try using a wire brush. After you’ve removed the stain, launder the fabric as you usually do to remove the paste.

4. Isopropyl Alcohol

If dish soap or baking soda don't work, you can apply isopropyl alcohol to the stain with a Q-tip or cotton ball, which helps break down the paint’s substance and makes it easier to rinse out the fabric. If you don't have alcohol, you can try a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol. Can sanitizer remove acrylic paint from clothes? The answer depends on the size and severity of the stain, but sanitizer does have alcohol in it that may work in an emergency to keep it from setting if you're on the go. 

5. A Blend of Agents

If the stain is still not gone from all of these mixtures alone, try a 1-2-3 punch by mixing them together. Create a paste from equal parts baking soda, dish soap and rubbing alcohol that will, with the help of cold water, remove even the most tenacious wet stains. Use a brush or scouring sponge to work the past into the fabric, rinsing from underneath afterward. Repeat until the stain has disappeared then wash the fabric as usual. This paste is also very good if you are wondering how to get acrylic paint out of the carpet.

How To Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes With Hairspray or Nail Polish Remover

6. Hairspray or Acetone (Nail Polish Remover)

Wondering how to get acrylic paint out of clothes with hairspray or acetone? If you've tried the above techniques and still have a stain, you can try to remove the paint with an acetone product like nail polish remover or hairspray. The acetone helps loosen the hold of the acrylic on the fabric, but can also cause damage to the fabric. Therefore, it's best to test the application beforehand in a spot that you can't see, like inside a hem or waistband. Acetone can cause discoloration to some more delicate fabrics. Work in a well-ventilated area. You may also want to use gloves.

Apply the acetone or hairspray with a cotton ball, dabbing it liberally over the stain. Work from the exterior inward toward the middle of the stain to prevent spreading it around. When you've removed the paint, rinse again with soap and water to remove any odor or remaining acetone, then wash as usual. You can also use denatured alcohol which is a milder alternative to straight acetone, but may not work as heartily on tough stains. 

How to Remove Dried Acrylic Paint From Clothes

7. Scrape, Alcohol, Soap & Water

Once the paint has dried, it becomes significantly more difficult to remove. In its wet state, acrylic paint is water soluble, but the dry paint forms a water-proof surface that is less easy to work with. If you get caught in a dried paint situation and are wondering how to get it out, begin by scraping away as much paint as you can with a straight edge like a knife or spatula.  

The best bet for softening and removing dried acrylic paint is using rubbing or isopropyl alcohol, which breaks down the paint's hard exterior, making it easier to remove the stain. Apply the alcohol with a cotton ball, walking inward to avoid spreading the stain further. If it's still there, use a toothbrush or other brush to get out any remaining color. Rinse with soap and water and launder afterward.

How To Remove Dried Acrylic Paint From Clothes Without Rubbing Alcohol

8. Vinegar or Ammonia

Wondering how to remove dried acrylic paint from clothes without rubbing alcohol? While the rubbing alcohol technique is the best approach for getting dried acrylic paint out of fabric, you can also use other techniques, including applying vinegar or ammonia to the stain. Does vinegar remove acrylic paint from clothes? While vinegar is safe for most fabrics, spot-check for ammonia, which may damage the fabric. Mix in a little baking soda for more difficult jobs and scrub vigorously. You may also want to do a pass with an enzyme-based stain remover.

Painting or crafting beautiful objects using acrylic paints can, unfortunately, be ruined by some pesky stains afterward. Advice on removing them can also be some of the most valuable painting tips for beginners. Try some of these great ways to make them a little less pesky and your overall painting and crafting experience will be completely stress-free when working.

For even more fun paint ideas and hacks, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!