How to Get Spray Paint Out of Clothes And Fabrics

Crafting or DIY home decorating is a fun, relaxing and sometimes frustrating task but you can find yourself frantically googling how to get spray paint out of clothes in a hurry.

Apart from having the right tools and supplies for your project, you’ll want to prevent messes as well. That means wearing a smock, using painter’s tape and laying down tarps as necessary. But no matter how careful you are, little mistakes are bound to happen. A spill of paint or an errant splatter for example. You have to know how to get spray paint out of clothes or off fabrics because time is of the essence to prevent a stain from setting. 

The first and most important piece of advice here is to take your spray painting project outside, if possible. Whether that’s in your grass, driveway or front yard, set up your spray painting station someplace that can afford to get dirty. Sure, there are tips out there for how to remove spray paint from fabric furniture or rugs, but you’d rather avoid that mess in the first place.

The second part of that, along the same vein, would be to wear clothes and shoes that you don’t care about. Have a designated pair of crafting jeans and sneakers that are already ripped, stained and probably covered in paint from past projects. It’s always the quick extra coat of paint before you run out the door to something important that lands you with splatters on a nice shirt. Then for crafting inspiration, check out Good Housekeeping’s ideas. 

Jump to Section

• How to Get Wet Spray Paint Out of Clothes
• How to Remove Dried Spray Paint From Clothes
• How to Get Spray Paint Out of Jeans
• How to Get Spray Paint Off Shoes
• How to Remove Spray Paint From Fabric and Furniture
• Does Spray Paint Come Off Clothes in The Wash?
• Does Vinegar Remove Paint From Clothing?
• Does Baking Soda Remove Paint Stains?

How to Get Wet Spray Paint Out of Clothes

1. Get Rid of the Excess

Use a towel or rag to blot, not rub, the excess paint off the surface of your item. The same applies to food. A paper towel is fine, but some experts don’t recommend it due to the tiny particles that can get stuck between fabric fibers. 

2. Pretreat It

Before throwing it in the washing machine, you need to pretreat the spray to have the best chance of getting spray paint out of clothes and fabrics. Spray on a stain remover or soak the item in a bucket with a liquid detergent. You can also apply liquid detergent directly to the stain before washing it. 

3. Wash as Normal

Without rinsing off the pretreatment, toss your item in the wash with others and let the cycle run. Wash at the hottest temperature that is safe for whatever the fabric is. 

4. Repeat if Necessary

Before loading it in the dryer, check to make sure you got the spray paint out of your clothes. If not, repeat the previous steps and wash again. Make sure the stain is removed to your satisfaction before drying. 

How to Remove Dried Spray Paint From Clothes

1. Pretreat It

The exact same pretreat routine for wet spray paint applies to dry. Dab it with stain remover or soak it in water with liquid detergent. 

2. Wash as Normal

Don’t rinse off the pretreatment, just toss it right in the wash and wash it on the hottest temp that’s suitable for your garment.

3. Repeat (if Necessary)

After the cycle ends, before drying, ensure the stain was removed to your satisfaction. If not, start over again. You can also work the pretreatment in with a soft brush, depending on the material. 

How to Get Spray Paint Out of Jeans

1. Remove Excess Paint (Wet or Dried)

The first step in getting spray paint out of denim is to remove as much leftover paint as possible. If it’s wet, dab it with a cold, wet rag but if it has already dried, use a plastic knife or something similar to scrape off dried excess. 

2. Add a Stain Remover

Just like the previous tips to get spray paint out of clothes, you should apply a stain remover directly to the area and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. 

3. Grab a Toothbrush

Ideally, not the toothbrush you actually use, but an old toothbrush. Wet it and gently work the stain remover into the stain. You can add a bit more stain remover if it has been soaked up. 

4. Wash as Usual

Throw your jeans in the wash (or proceed as you normally would to hand wash). After they come out of the wash, check to see if the stain persists. If it does, repeat steps 2 and 3 until you’re satisfied. Ideally, don’t dry the jeans until you’re comfortable with how much of the stain you’ve removed. 

How to Get Spray Paint Off Shoes

1. Wipe Off Excess

Depending on the material of your shoes, if you need to get spray paint out of fabric or leather, you’ll want to gently use a wet towel to blot away the excess.

2. Warm Soapy Water

Mix some laundry detergent with warm water in a bucket. Grab a rag and dip it into the warm water, then continue to dab at the paint, rinsing frequently. Be careful not to rub as this sets the stain further. 

3. Let Dry

Once you’ve successfully wiped away the spray paint, let the shoes dry all the way. Setting them out in the sun can help. If necessary, wipe away any soapy residue with a damp rag.

4. Alternative Wash

If it’s a pair of athletic shoes, most can be washed in your washing machine. Just remove the insoles and wash with cool water before air drying. 

How to Remove Spray Paint From Fabric and Furniture

1. Consider the Surface

Depending on what the material you’re trying to get spray paint out of, there might be a slightly different process. For some fabric cushions, the covers are removable and can be washed using the above steps, like a piece of clothing. Whatever the paint is on, start by blotting away the excess, being extra careful not to press it further into the fibers. 

2. Spot Treat

Just like the other surfaces mentioned, if you’re trying to get spray paint out of fabric, the first order of business after getting rid of the extra paint on the surface is to spot-treat it. For fabric like cushions, try 90% isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar. You can also try some clothing stain remover, as long as it’s bleach-free. 

3. Repeat as Necessary

You may need to repeat the blotting and stain-removing process a few times to get the color all the way out. If the cushion cover can be washed, treat it like a piece of clothing as described above. 

Does Spray Paint Come Off Clothes in The Wash?

It depends on what type of paint you’re using you can get spray paint out of clothes just in the wash. Water-based paints are the easiest to remove and should come out after a cycle. Oil-based paints are trickier and will require a bit more elbow grease and spot-treating. 

Does Vinegar Remove Paint From Clothing?

Vinegar can be helpful in getting spray paint out of clothing or fabrics as it is a natural astringent and stain remover. You can spot-treat with vinegar or soak the entire garment for up to two hours in a vinegar/water mix before washing. 

Does Baking Soda Remove Paint Stains?

Making a paste with baking soda and water is a good way to get spray paint out of clothes and fabrics. Spread the paste over the stain and let it sit for an hour or two, until dry. Scrape off the excess before washing it in your machine or by hand. 

Getting a little bit of paint on your clothes or furniture isn’t the end of the world, especially once you know how to quickly and effectively get spray paint out of things. While certain materials are more difficult to get paint out of or off of, it can be done with a little elbow grease and some patience.

The process for how to get paint out of clothes is just like removing a red wine or pasta sauce stain. When it comes to cleaning your brushes, it’s even easier. There are pre-made solvents out there so you never have to wonder how to clean paint brushes. If you don’t have a paint thinner at home, warm soapy water works wonders on wet paint. For the easiest clean-up on any given surface, aim to use water-based paints.

For even more easy cleaning ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!