Step-by-Step Guide for Removing Acrylic Paint Stains From Your Clothes

Whether you’re a budding artist or have a kid who loves to experiment with colors, you’ll inevitably encounter acrylic paint stains on your clothing (or your child’s) at some point. Sadly, these vibrant colors won’t just wash off in the laundry. They require a more thorough approach if you’re to keep your clothes looking their best.

This guide will take you through the process of removing acrylic paint stains from clothing. We’ll go step-by-step, so you can easily refer back to it whenever you’re confronted with this common problem. We’ll also provide some pro tips to help make the job easier, so you can roll up your sleeves and get started right away.

Identifying the Stain

The first step in removing acrylic paint stains from clothes is to properly identify the stain. Acrylic paint tends to dry with a glossy finish and leaves behind a light residue. If possible, try to remove any excess paint by scraping it off with a butter knife or other flat object. While doing this, take note of the color, texture, and type of acrylic paint that was used. This will help you determine which cleaning products may be the most effective in removing the stain from your garment.

Pre-treating the Stain

Once you have identified the stain, pre-treat it before attempting to wash it in a machine. Ideally, you should use an enzyme-based cleaner that is designed for treating stains on fabrics. These cleaners work by breaking down proteins in the stain, making it easier for them to be removed during the washing process. If you do not have an enzyme cleaner, try treating the stain with a mixture of water and dish soap or laundry detergent.

Machine Washing the Garment

Once you have pre-treated the stain, place the garment in a washing machine and select a cycle using cool water. You may want to add additional detergent or fabric softener if you are washing a very large load of paint-stained laundry. Allow the cycle to finish without interruption before removing the garment from the machine.

Removing Remaining Acrylic Paint Stains

If there are still traces of acrylic paint left on your garment after washing, apply an aerosol spot remover and then blot gently with a cloth or other absorbent material. Alternatively, you could try using an acrylic paint pen to apply a spot-cleaning solution directly to the stained area; however, make sure that you do not use too much pressure when applying this method as excessive force can damage delicate fabrics.

Post-treatment for the Stain

After applying either a spot remover or an acrylic paint pen, let the treatment sit for a few minutes before blotting once again with an absorbent cloth or sponge. If there is still some residual staining remaining after this step, repeat these steps until all of the stains have been removed from your garment.

Finishing Up

Once all of the acrylic paint has been removed from your garment, pre-treat any remaining pieces of stained clothing with an enzyme cleaner and then machine wash on a gentle cycle using cold water and additional detergent if needed. Hang your garment up to dry and enjoy its refreshed look.