How to remove paint (water- vs oil-based) stains

Speed decides everything: latex (water-based) paint rinses out with water and detergent while wet but may become permanent once dry — Iowa State puts the window at about 6-8 hours. Oil-based paint needs the thinner recommended on the can (or mineral spirits), followed by liquid detergent worked into the solvent-wet stain and laundering. If you cannot treat oil paint at once, wrap the item airtight so the paint stays wet. [1][2][3]

Open in the Stain Sorter

Do this now

Check the can: for latex/water-based paint, immediately sponge with water or soak in cold water while the paint is wet. For oil-based paint, get the recommended thinner on it while wet — and if you cannot treat it now, wrap the garment in plastic or an airtight wrap to keep the paint from drying. [1][2][3]

Avoid

Do not let the paint dry — dried latex may be permanent and dried oil paint is very difficult. Do not machine-dry until the stain is fully gone (heat sets it), never put solvent-damp fabric in a washer or dryer, and never use carbon tetrachloride, gasoline, or lighter fluid as a solvent. [1][2][3][4]

You will need

Method

  1. Latex/water-based, while wet: sponge immediately with water or soak in cold water, work in detergent, and rinse. [1][2][3]
  2. Latex, next: treat with a commercial pre-wash spot remover (or sponge with dry-cleaning solvent and rub in liquid laundry detergent, letting it work 10-15 minutes), then wash with heavy-duty liquid detergent in water safe for the fabric. [1][2]
  3. Oil-based, while wet: sponge with a commercial cleaner and rinse, then apply the thinner the paint label recommends — mineral spirits if the can is unavailable (Iowa State and Texas A&M note turpentine, paint thinner, or alcohol may also work) — sponging or tamping and flushing with more thinner until no more paint lifts. [1][2][3]
  4. Oil-based, finish: while the stain is still wet with solvent, work liquid detergent into it, rinse the solvent out with hot water, and launder in the hottest water safe for the fabric. [1][3]
  5. If oil paint persists, soak overnight in hot water and launder again, repeating the solvent-detergent cycle as needed. For dried latex, treat as a combination stain or use a commercial paint-removal product made for fabric. [1][3]
Checkpoint — before any heat or drying

Inspect after washing and air-dry only: do not put the garment in the dryer or press it until the paint is completely gone, because heat sets the stain permanently. [2][3]

If that didn't work

For a dried or stubborn stain, soften it by soaking under a pad dampened with the appropriate remover for half an hour to several hours, tamping if the fabric is sturdy; if that fails, or the item is dry-clean-only or delicate, take it to a professional dry cleaner and identify the paint type. [4][3]

Cautions

Paint thinners and dry-cleaning solvents are poisonous and often flammable: use good ventilation, keep away from flames, pilot lights, sparks, and children, never add solvents to a washing machine, and never dry solvent-damp fabric in a dryer. [4][1][3]

Oxalic acid (used on painted exterior wood) is poisonous — avoid skin contact and always wear rubber gloves. [1]

Pretest every cleaner on an inconspicuous area for colorfastness, and follow the garment care label; dry-cleaning fluid can change the color of some dyes. [1][3]

Concrete masonry

Method

  1. Scrape or blot excess paint, wet the surface with clear water, then scrub with a stiff-bristled brush using a hot solution of either 5 tablespoons washing soda or 1 tablespoon trisodium phosphate (TSP) per gallon of water; rinse thoroughly and dry. [1]

Brick exterior

Method

  1. Apply a commercial paint remover, let it dry, and remove the paint with a stiff-bristled or wire brush; wash with clear water and dry. [1]
  2. If paint persists, apply Sure Klean Defacer Eraser per its label; for remaining particles use Sure Klean Restoration Cleaner, let it sit several minutes, then blast with a water hose per the container instructions. [1]

Wood finished

Method

  1. Latex/watercolor: rub with a sponge dampened in clear water and wipe dry immediately; scrape hardened paint with stiff cardboard, a plastic bowl scraper, or a fingernail; if paint remains, rub with a cloth dampened in 1 tablespoon oxalic acid per pint of water, wipe dry, and re-seal at once. [1]
  2. Oil-based, fresh: rub with a cloth saturated in liquid solvent-based wax. Dried: cover with boiled linseed oil until the paint softens, remove with a linseed-oil-dampened cloth, rub remaining paint with a rottenstone paste in mineral, linseed, or lemon oil along the grain, and finish with plain linseed oil. [1]

Cautions

Water makes a shellac finish feel sticky; oxalic acid is poisonous — wear rubber gloves. [1]

Not covered by our sources

What people report Anecdotal

Real threads from public forums, linked and labeled. These are individual experiences, not verified results, and never a substitute for the sourced method or safety guidance above.

One poster reported hairspray removed much of a children's acrylic paint stain but the scrubbing wore a small hole in the garment, while another said a Vanish soap bar scrubbed in before machine washing works every time.

“The hairspray removed quite a lot of it but all the scrubbing caused a small hole in the top.”

Getting paint out of clothes — Mumsnet, 2015-11-03 · accessed 2026-08-18 · anecdotal

Sources

  1. Institutional University of Georgia Extension — Remove Stains from Paint (accessed 2026-08-18)
  2. Institutional Iowa State University Extension and Outreach — Removing More Summer Stains (AnswerLine) (accessed 2026-08-18)
  3. Institutional Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — Removing Stains from Washable Fabrics (accessed 2026-08-18)
  4. Institutional Michigan State University Cooperative Extension Service — Stain Out — A General Guide to Stain Removal (Extension Bulletin E-1453) (accessed 2026-08-18)

Updated 2026-08-18. Compiled from the cited sources; not independently verified by this site. Spotted an error? See the corrections policy.

Safety

Always follow care and product labels. Never mix cleaning products — especially anything containing chlorine bleach with ammonia or acids. If swallowed or splashed in eyes, contact Poison Control (US: 1-800-222-1222 or poison.org).