If you work with paint, or have to operate close to freshly painted surfaces, chances are that you’ll get splattered in the stuff sooner or later. And while some people don’t mind their workwear being covered in drops and drips, others like to keep their trousers, overalls and jackets in the best condition possible. If you fall into the latter category, take a look at a few of our favourite tips for how to remove paint from clothes and leave workwear looking like new.
How to Remove Paint From Workwear?
The first thing you need to do after getting paint on your work clothes is find out what type of paint you’ve come into contact with. Different kinds of paint require different cleaning methods. So before you reach for the bleach or dab the detergent, make sure you check the tin.
How to Remove Water-Based Paint From Clothes
If the paint you’ve spilled on your work clothes is water-based, you’re in luck as this is the easiest type of paint to remove from fabric.
Step One
Before washing the item, scrape off as much excess paint as you can using a butter knife or another blunt edge. If the paint is still wet, try to avoid rubbing it with a cloth as this can push the paint deeper into the fabric and make it harder to remove.
Step Two
Take your piece of clothing over to the sink and run some water through the affected area from back to front. Once the area is thoroughly rinsed, place it face down on some kitchen paper and blot until dry. This should remove any excess paint left in the fabric.
Step Three
If the paint has mostly disappeared, you can now put your item of clothing on a wash cycle to remove any remaining residue. If you can still see a significant amount of paint in the fabric, soak the item in a mix of detergent and water for an hour or two before giving it another rinse and blot. Repeat this process as many times as necessary until the stain has vanished.
How to Remove Oil-Based Paint From Clothes?
Oil-based paint is a little harder to get out of work clothes. So you may need a little patience and persistence to return your piece of clothing to its former glory.
Step One
Once you’ve scraped off the excess paint, moisten a clean rag with paint thinner – ideally, you should use the paint-thinning product recommended by the paint manufacturer – and use the rag to dab the stain. You should see the paint begin to lift out straight away.
Step Two
Continue to dab at the paint, moving the rag around to ensure you’re always using a clean surface. When the paint mark has more or less disappeared, rinse the affected area and then treat it with laundry detergent or stain remover. You can then wash the item on a normal cycle to remove any remaining residue.
How to Remove Latex Paint From Clothes?
Luckily for accident-prone decorators, latex paint is actually fairly easy to remove from work clothes. The process is more or less the same for this type of paint as it is for water-based paint, though you may need to use a little stain remover to achieve a good result.
Step One
As with oil and water-based paint, the first thing you need to do when attempting to get rid of latex paint is scrape off the excess.
Step Two
Place the fabric under warm running water. Make sure the water goes from the rear of the stain to the front. You can then blot the paint with a mix of detergent and water.
Step Three
If there is still a visible mark on your piece of clothing, treat the affected area with a stain remover or laundry detergent before putting it in the wash. Repeat this step as many times as you need to.
How to Remove Paint Stains From Clothes?
In general, wet paint is easier to remove from textiles than dry. If the paint on your workwear is already a few hours or days old, you’ll need to soak the piece of clothing in water before attempting to remove the stain. If the paint is oil-based, soak it in a mixture of water and paint thinner before cleaning.
How to Remove Paint From Clothes with Baking Soda?
What removes paint from clothes apart from paint thinner, detergent and elbow grease? Well baking soda of course. This multi-purpose store cupboard essential can be mixed with vinegar to create a powerful homemade cleaning solution.
Use two tablespoons of baking soda for every half cup of vinegar. Mix the two ingredients together and then use a sponge or cloth to work them into the back of the stain. Rinse and repeat until the paint has vanished.
Now you’ve learned how to remove paint from clothing, find out how to remove oil and glue from your work clothes by checking out our blog. Alternatively, browse our range of coveralls and protect your work clothes from stains, wear and tear.
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.