10 Easy Ways To Get Acrylic Paint Out Of Clothes

By Alex Assoune Apr 21, 2021

You can easily remove acrylic paint stains and odors from your clothes and shoes if you know the right techniques and products to use. Whether you accidentally spilled some while renovating or playing with your kids, use these simple tips to keep your garments in great shape.

Many types of clothes and shoes are delicate and don't resist the harsh effect of paint very well. So you've made the right choice trying to get rid of sticky stains and odors immediately.

Taking good care of your clothing and footwear is a great way to make sure they last longer so you can enjoy wearing your favorite pieces for a long time, save money, and the planet.

Here are super simple ways you can get acrylic paint out of clothes and shoes completely.

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1. Brushing paint off with water and soap

To get rid of acrylic paint out of your clothes, simply soak them in hot water and soap for at least an hour and then repeat. Water and soap are often enough to remove paint if the odors or stains aren't exceptionally heavy.

Make sure to soak your clothes for long periods but not too long as you risk damaging the fabrics. Delicate fabrics require lower water temperatures and softer soaps.

Some of the best soaps you can use are all-natural, package-free soaps made with organic oils, herbs, spices, plant butter, pure essential oils, and chemical-free ingredients.

Look for eco-friendly products that keep your laundry soft and comfy while eliminating plastic waste. Prefer plant-based ingredients and avoid any animal-based agents, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, phosphates, petroleum, or synthetic fragrance.

2. Removing paint in the washing machine

You can wash your paint-stained clothes and shoes in the washer. But make sure you don't wash anything else with them. Put them in the washing machine by themselves and select a delicate cycle and with cold water.

Cold-water washing does the job for most fashion items, beddings, and linens. You can place them in the washing machine with a temperature lower than 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) to effectively refresh textiles that are too dirty.

If the stains or odors are still there, you can wash your clothing and footwear twice. Use a gentle cycle and avoid high spin speeds as much as possible. Otherwise, many fabrics may become very creased.

Make sure to soak your clothes for the least amount of time to avoid dye bleeding. Many washing machines allow you to select between whites and colors, sometimes called casuals.

You may also be able to select another setting to adjust the washing cycle to light or heavy fabrics (cotton or wool). Now you can turn on the washer and wait until the washing program is finished. Either press a start button or pull out the dial that chooses load types.

3. Applying white vinegar to eliminate paint

You can easily make a very potent cleaning product yourself by using a water and white vinegar solution. It's an all-natural, DIY, homemade cleaner that can help you get paint out of clothes and shoes.

Using white vinegar to remove acrylic paint stains and odors is a less toxic and plastic-free solution since it eliminates unnecessary bottles of cleaner. You can also look for package-free cleaning products made of vinegar at farmer's markets or some grocery stores.

Depending on how strong the paint stain is, use more or less vinegar mixed with hot water. The amount of vinegar you need depends on how many clothes you plan to wash. You will need more vinegar for heavier loads. Start with one cup of vinegar for four cups of water.

White vinegar is a natural cleaner that will begin breaking down the acrylic paint out of your apparel and footwear right away without damaging it.

Simply soak your items in a soaking basin for at least half an hour. Then use cold or moderately warm water and try to remove any remaining stain or odor on your garments by hand.

Cleanse and rinse the fibers in cold water. And don't scrub stains vigorously. You could spread stains and even damage the fabric permanently. Instead, work from the outside in gently dabbing the stain.

Don't worry, your clothes won't smell like vinegar. You can also add an aromatic scent to the mixture with the essential oils of your choice. Be careful not to use too much vinegar as some fragile colors may fade.

Use the scented vinegar solution in place of a traditional fabric cleaner. This mixture will eliminate static, give a soft feel, and add a fresh scent to your clothes.

Vinegar is an affordable and eco-friendly fabric cleaner and conditioner. It also eliminates common soapy residue, makes your clothes last longer, and smells better.

4. Removing paint with detergent

Detergents are commonly regarded as ultimate cleaning products. They are super practical and powerful to remove any stains and odors, include acrylic paint on clothes and shoes.

Use one of these sustainable laundry detergents to protect your clothes, your skin, and the environment, clean and refresh your laundry without breaking the bank.

Specific liquid dishwashing detergents are even made to target grease and can easily help remove paint stains. Gently rub the detergent onto the stained area until it becomes clear. Cleanse and rinse the fabrics in cold water.

Avoid any chlorine-based detergent as it can melt fibers, dyes, and damage fabrics. Don't use acetone or organic solvents to remove stains either. They will dissolve many types of fibers and cause irreversible damage to your clothes or shoes.

Don't use too much detergent, measure the right amount, liquid or solid. The amount of detergent you need depends on how strong the paint stains or odors are.

5. Soaking paint-stained clothes in ammonia

Use an ammonia solution to get acrylic paint out of clothes and shoes. This affordable product can help you remove paint spots and smells from your items.

Simply purchase ammonia at most supermarkets, drugstores, and hardware stores. Then, apply a small amount of ammonia to the contaminated area.

This solution should help wash out the paint stain or smell. Ammonia is super effective to remove exceptionally heavy odors. If the paint doesn't go away immediately, simply let your clothes and shoes soak for several hours, cleanse, and repeat.

6. Making a lemon-based cleaner to get rid of paint

Another way of getting acrylic paint stains and odors out of clothes and shoes is to make a natural cleaner at home with orange or lemon peels or juice.

You can easily make an all-purpose cleaner by mixing water with orange or lemon. Citrus fruits are very effective to eliminate traces of paint and its smell. They also add a wonderful natural scent to your clothing.

You'll need one cup of fruit-based ingredients mixed with 3 cups of water. Make the cleaning solution, apply it to the stained area, and let it soak for at least half an hour.

Natural and homemade fabric cleaners are arguably the most affordable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cleaning products. They are healthy and safe for your skin and the planet.

Opting for an easy DIY solution can even save you money. You can create your sustainable fabric cleaner at home without any extra equipment. Use it to clean and soften your clothes without damaging the environment.

7. Using baking soda to remove paint

Baking soda is another great way of getting acrylic paint out of clothes and shoes. It's very effective against traces of oil products, including paint stains and odors.

You first need to craft a solution of baking soda using four tablespoons per glass of water. Then, apply the mixture to the stained area gently and let it make its effects for at least an hour.

Baking soda help neutralize paint on your clothing if you wait long enough. The pungent scent of paint doesn’t stand a chance against a solution of baking soda and water.

Allow your clothing to air dry. After a while, you can brush the baking soda off of the clothing. Then, cleanse and rinse the fabrics in cold water as you normally would with other clothing pieces.

If the paint stains and odors are still there, you need to repeat these steps until they are gone. Repeat the baking soda application, let your clothes or shoes soak for longer until the paint is fully removed.

8. Mixing coffee grounds to eliminate paint

The strong odor of acrylic paint can be toxic and very harsh to some textile fabrics. Paint can even destroy your clothes if you aren't careful. To get paint out of your clothes and shoes, you can also use coffee grounds.

Coffee grounds have the same effects as baking soda on your items. They can remove paint stains and odors quite effectively just as baking soda would.

Simply make a mixture of coffee grounds with hot water, apply it to the stained area, and let it soak for at least an hour. Once you're satisfied with the result, you can start brushing them off and washing the stains.

9. Removing acrylic paint with mineral oil

Mineral oil can also help remove acrylic paint stains and odors from clothing and footwear. Simply pour the natural oil directly on the stained area and rub gently.

Mineral oil is a clear, odorless liquid and a common ingredient in many personal care products, such as baby oil. It safely lubricates and keeps moisture from escaping the skin.

They come in different forms (oils, gels, liquids) are can also be found in furniture polish, wood treatment products, stainless steel cleaners, and more.

You can use mineral oil as a pre-wash method for super easy stain removal. Simply dab a little bit of it on the stained area, let it soak and dry, then cleanse and rinse with cold water.

10. Looking for a dry cleaning service

Alternatively, you can send your clothes and shoes stained with acrylic paint to your nearest dry cleaning service. If all else fails despite your best efforts, use the services of a professional cleaner.

Simply contact a local dry cleaner if you can't get paint stains or odors out of your clothes and shoes at home. You can easily find the nearest dry cleaning service online.

For exceptionally heavy stains and odors on your clothing, professional dry cleaning services can save the day.

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.