How to get paint off my clothes?

Leah Deverett
by Leah Deverett
I was happily painting with chalk paint and then it got all over my cotton shirt! Can I get it off? Would love your suggestions!
  12 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Feb 03, 2017

    Try a little goof off.

  • William William on Feb 03, 2017

    Janet's solution is the best. Rub the Goof Off into the stain, then rinse with war water. You can also make your own paint cleanser.

    A mixture of hand soap and Dawn dish washing detergent makes a great paint cleanser, especially for fresh stains. Combine the hand soap and detergent in a small bowl, using a 1 to 1 ration. Apply the solution to the paint stain using a sponge, and tamp it repeatedly for at least 1 minute. Then rinse in warm water and repeat as necessary until the stain is gone or nearly gone.

    If you are working with a dried stain, use hairspray or isopropyl alcohol to remove the paint. Rub the hairspray or alcohol onto the stain for one minute, then rinse using warm water. Repeat this step as necessary until the stain has disappeared or seriously faded.


  • Margaret Powell Margaret Powell on Feb 03, 2017

    I have been successful with Dawn and letting it soak in overnight. It may take several attempts before all the stain disappears just don't put it in the dryer till you see all the stain gone because the dryer will set it . Good luck and let us know how it works for you.

  • Joanna Smith Joanna Smith on Feb 04, 2017

    SOAK THE SPOT/S IN VINEGAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, THEN SCRUB WITH A STIFF BRUSH. MAY TAKE SEVERAL APPLICATIONS, BUT IT WORKS.

  • Jac K Jac K on Feb 05, 2017

    Rubbing alcohol will soften even old acrylic paint, then proceed with the Dawn dish detergent treatment listed above.

  • Peybarb Peybarb on Feb 06, 2017

    Try denatured alcohol.

  • Lois cone Lois cone on Feb 06, 2017

    Lestoil, it even takes dried paint from brushes. Just rub some Estonia on the paint, wait a bit and use a toothbrush to loosen the paint, going in both directions to get into the weave of the fabric.

  • Leslie Leslie on Feb 07, 2017

    Dawn dish soap (blue) I don't know why, but it works best. Rub it in on both sides, then pour boiling water on the wrong side, of should release the paint.

  • JUDIE JUDIE on Feb 07, 2017

    WEAR A CARPENTERS APRON

  • Lestoil does a fantastic job, but I can't find it in my area anymore. I used peroxide to get paint from my carpet. Squirt on paint, lay a soft cloth on & let on overnite. Next day I took a wide plastic putty knife & scraped just one way. Looks great. This paint spot was dry, & not discovered for several days!


  • Judy Judy on Feb 09, 2017

    The faster you find this, the better. I would use SHOUT, or similular items, to help you. You may have to scrub first, then wash, then use it again. Just DONT dry them, for this will SET the paint, ok? If you have already dried them, then scrub them with SHOUT, and scrub, and use more of the SHOUT, and again.. and again. With patience it will come off.


  • Judy Judy on Feb 14, 2017

    Leah, you are so welcome. It may take a few work outs, but it is worth it. I spray some on, let it sit for awhile, then it will scrub off easier. Have a super day, reguardless of the weather predictions!!! Best wishes.