Getting acrylic paint out of clothes is easiest when you act quickly. While the paint is still wet, the stain is usually much easier to treat. Has the acrylic paint already dried? Removing it can be more difficult, but you can still try to loosen the paint carefully and treat the remaining stain.

In this blog, you will learn step by step how to get fresh and dried acrylic paint out of clothes, which methods you can try and what to avoid to help prevent damage to the fabric.

Can you get acrylic paint out of clothes?

Yes, in many cases acrylic paint can be removed from clothes. How easy it is depends mainly on how long the paint has been on the fabric and what the garment is made from.

Acrylic paint is water-based while it is still wet. As it dries, it forms a firm paint film, which makes dried acrylic paint more difficult to remove from fabric. That is why it is best to treat a fresh acrylic paint stain as quickly as possible.

Want to learn more about the properties and uses of this type of paint? Read more about acrylic paint and painting with acrylics.

How to get wet acrylic paint out of clothes

Have you just spilled acrylic paint on your clothes? Try to treat the stain before the paint has completely dried. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove excess paint carefully.

Gently lift thick paint from the fabric without pushing it further into the fibres.

Step 2: Rinse the stain with cold or lukewarm water.

Hold the back of the stain under running water so that as much paint as possible is pushed out of the fabric.

Step 3: Treat the stain with a mild detergent.

Apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent or a suitable stain remover and leave it to work briefly.

Step 4: Blot or rub very gently.

Treat the fabric carefully to avoid spreading the paint or damaging the material.

Step 5: Wash the garment according to the care label.

Check after washing whether the stain has disappeared.

Step 6: Do not use the tumble dryer while the stain is still visible.

Allow the garment to air-dry or repeat the treatment if paint remains.

How to get dried acrylic paint out of clothes

Dried acrylic paint is more difficult to remove because the paint forms a hard layer as it dries. However, you can still try to loosen the stain step by step.

Step 1: Remove as much dried paint as possible

Carefully loosen dried paint using a spoon, soft brush or old toothbrush. Work gently to avoid damaging the fabric.

Step 2: Treat the remaining stain

An alcohol-based product may help loosen dried acrylic paint. Always test it first on an inconspicuous area of the fabric, as alcohol may affect certain colours or materials.

Gently dab the product onto the stain and use a clean cloth to lift away any loosened paint.

Step 3: Apply laundry detergent

Next, apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent to the stain and allow it to work for a short time.

Step 4: Wash the garment

Wash the garment according to the instructions on the care label. Before drying it, check whether the acrylic paint stain has completely disappeared.

An old or fully cured paint stain may not always come out completely. Take extra care with delicate or valuable fabrics and consider professional cleaning if necessary.

What can you use to remove acrylic paint from clothes?

For fresh acrylic paint, you often do not need much. Water and a mild liquid detergent are usually the best place to start.

For dried acrylic paint, an alcohol-based product can help loosen the dried paint film. Never use stronger cleaning products without first checking the care label and testing the product on a hidden area.

What should you avoid when removing acrylic paint from clothes?

A few common mistakes can make an acrylic paint stain harder to remove.

• Do not let fresh paint dry unnecessarily.
  The sooner you treat the stain, the easier it usually is to remove as much paint as possible.
• Do not scrub the stain aggressively.
  This can spread the paint further through the fibres or damage the fabric.
• Do not use strong solvents without testing them first.
  They may affect the colour or fibres of the garment.
• Do not put the garment straight into the tumble dryer.
  Check that the stain has disappeared first and repeat the treatment if necessary.
• Do not ignore the care label.
  Different fabrics require different treatment.

6 tips for removing acrylic paint stains from clothes

1. Act as quickly as possible when the paint is still wet
2. Remove excess paint first before rinsing the fabric.
3. Rinse from the back of the stain to help push the paint out of the fibres.
4. Test cleaning products first on an inconspicuous area.
5. Pre-treat the stain before washing.
6. Check the stain before drying and repeat the treatment if necessary.

How can you prevent acrylic paint stains on clothes?

Prevention is easier than stain removal. Wear old clothes, an apron or other protective clothing when painting. It is also a good idea to cover your work surface if you are working with a lot of paint or techniques that may cause splashes.

If acrylic paint does get onto your clothes, stop your creative project for a moment and treat the stain as soon as possible.

How to get acrylic paint out of clothes: in short

Fresh acrylic paint is best treated immediately with water and a mild detergent. If the paint has already dried, carefully remove as much hardened paint as possible before treating the remaining stain.
⁠An alcohol-based product may help with dried acrylic paint, but always test it on the fabric first. The sooner you start treating the stain, the better your chances of removing it.

Frequently asked questions about acrylic paint stains

Does acrylic paint come out of clothes?

It can, especially when the paint is still wet. Dried acrylic paint forms a harder layer and is therefore more difficult to remove.

How do you get dried acrylic paint out of clothes?

First, carefully loosen as much dried paint as possible. Then treat the remaining stain with a suitable product and wash the garment according to the care label.

Can clothes with acrylic paint go straight into the washing machine?

It is better to pre-treat the stain first. This allows you to remove as much paint as possible before washing the garment.

Can you remove acrylic paint from clothes with rubbing alcohol?

Rubbing alcohol can help loosen dried acrylic paint, but it may also affect some fabrics or colours. Always test it on an inconspicuous area first.

Can clothes with an acrylic paint stain go in the tumble dryer?

Wait until you are sure the stain has disappeared. Check the garment after washing and treat any remaining paint again before drying it.