How To Get Spray Paint Out Of Clothes

Spray paint can be difficult to remove when stained from clothes. The problem is that it binds to the fibers of your clothing, so you may risk damaging it if you’re not careful.

That doesn’t mean getting spray paint out of clothes is impossible.

Although it can feel like a challenge, there are ways to get spray paint out of your clothes. Using our tips, you should be able to get rid of the spray paint whether it’s wet or dry.

However, keep in mind that this factor is important, so we’ll make sure to inform you which method works best depending on the state of the paint.

Of course, we should also warn you that depending on how old the stain is or its size, you might not be able to remove it. If you’re painting with light clothes on, you may still be left with some discoloration.

Blot Spray Paint While It’s Wet

If you’re dealing with wet spray paint, it’s best to grab a paper towel or an old rag to blot the paint. This can stop the paint from bonding to the fibers.

Remember that you need to blot the paint, so don’t scrub it, or you could end up spreading it. Once you’ve blotted it, we’ll recommend other products for you to use to break it down.

Scrape the Paint Off When It’s Dry

When you’re dealing with dry spray paint, it’s best to grab a butter knife and scrape off the excess paint. Using the blunt edge of your butter knife, gently scrape the paint away from the fabric.

Don’t scrape too hard, or you may damage your clothes’ fibers. You’ll only be able to remove the paint off the surface this way, but we’ll recommend some products to remove the dried paint from the fibers.

Use Hairspray for Wet and Dry Spray Paint

Whether the paint is wet or dry, you can use hairspray to remove the stains so long as it’s oil-based. Hairspray has alcohol in it that can break the paint down and unbind it from your clothes.

However, be careful with this method. Hairspray can stain the clothing, so test on a small portion first and make sure to only apply to the paint.

Once you’ve blotted or scraped your paint, spray some hairspray over the stain. Then rub it with a dry, clean cloth, and you’ll see the paint appear on it.

Then repeat the process until you’re happy with your clothes.

Use Acetone for Wet and Dry Spray Paint

You can use acetone to get rid of nail polish, but it’s also great for removing spray paint, whether wet or dry.

Acetone works similarly to paint thinner, but you should remember that it can break down fibers like polyester.

So test a small portion of acetone on your clothes first. All you need to do is soak a clean rag with acetone and dab it where the paint is.

Once the area is soaked, you need to leave it for 10 minutes, then rinse your clothes under warm water with some dish soap. Doing this, you’ll remove both the paint and acetone from your clothes. 

Use Turpentine on Wet or Dry Clothing

Turpentine is a paint thinner, so it’s one of the best ways to remove spray paint from dry or wet clothes. While turpentine won’t stain your clothes, if they have any dyes on them, they will be stripped too.

So this is best used on clothes that are already light. We suggest when using turpentine, you use it outside. Dip a rag in turpentine and lightly dab it on the paint.

Let it rest for 10 or 15 minutes. Then rinse it under some warm water and dish soap, where you’ll see the paint run under the water.

Remember that if you use turpentine, you shouldn’t pour it directly onto the stain. Turpentine also has a strong smell, so it can leave behind a stench after removing the paint.

To get rid of the smell, soak your clothes in water and vinegar for a few hours, and add two cups of vinegar to your wash cycle when you do laundry.

Wash and Dry Clothes Afterwards

Once you’ve used some of these pre-treatments to remove the worst of the stain, you can wash the fabric and remove most of the paint.

If you can, wash your clothes in warm water on their own so that the paint won’t get on the rest of the laundry.

We recommend you use some heavy-duty detergent to remove any stains or odors that might be left after using any of the methods above.

You might not remove all the paint at once. If you can’t remove the stain completely, feel free to repeat the method you used before washing it.

Then, wash it again. Don’t leave your clothes to dry first if you do this, as if you do, the stain may set and become more of a challenge to remove. 

If you’ve tried these methods after a maximum of three times, then the clothes may be permanently stained.

If you cannot remove the stain, you could attempt to color the area with a permanent marker or fabric pen.

However, if that’s not possible, consider using these clothes for painting when you next do a spray painting project. 

Final Thoughts

These aren’t the only methods of removing spray paint, but they are the most effective. If you’ve got a stubborn stain, then these are the best methods to return your clothes to normal.

However, the best way to remove these stains is by wearing old clothes that you don’t mind getting paint on.

When painting, don’t wear new clothes that you don’t want to stain, and do what you can to prevent paint from getting onto your clothes.

After all, sometimes you can’t control the direction the spray goes. We hope this guide helped you get the spray paint out of your clothes.