Acrylic paint spills on clothing, carpet, upholstery, wood, plastic, or glass can be removed if you act quickly. If you want to remove acrylic paint, clean the wet paint first. Next, treat any remaining stains with warm soapy water, nail polish remover, denatured alcohol, or a scraper (depending on the surface of the object being cleaned). If you are unable to remove the acrylic paint, contact a professional cleaner as soon as possible.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Removing Paint from Clothes
Step 1. Rinse the wet paint with cold running water
Place the stained acrylic cloth under a stream of cold water. Continue to rinse the paint stain until the water is clear.
- Alternatively, you can soak the entire fabric in cold water until the stain fades.
- Check clothing labels before washing them to see if you can clean them yourself at home. If the clothes are made of fabrics such as acetate or triacetate, take them to a dry cleaning service immediately.
Step 2. Spray hairspray on the dried stain
To deal with areas affected by paint stains, you can use hairspray. Spray hairspray until the cloth feels wet.
- Alternatively, you can use a nail polish remover. Apply nail polish remover with an unused cotton or cloth.
- If you're concerned that hairspray or nail polish remover will damage the fabric, first test it on a hidden area of the garment.
- Do not use nail polish remover or hairspray on triacetate or acetate fabrics, as these can damage them. We recommend that you take it to a professional service.
Step 3. Scrub the dried acrylic paint stain with a sponge
Use the sponge to scrub the stain vigorously until the paint color transfers from the cloth to the sponge. If the paint doesn't come off at the beginning, spray more hairspray and try scrubbing again.
If you wish, you can also use a clean cloth instead of the sponge
Step 4. Scrape off stubborn dry paint with a knife
If there is still dry paint on the fabric, use a dull knife to scrape it off. Be careful not to tear the fabric.
- Nail polish remover or hairspray can help break down acrylic paint that has dried.
- The ideal tool is a butter knife.
Step 5. Use a commercial stain remover to treat the stain
Follow the instructions on the product packaging. Based on the instructions, you may need to apply the product directly to the paint stain, or soak the entire fabric.
You can use a commercial stain remover on wet or dry acrylic paint stains
Step 6. Wash the clothes in a washing machine that is set to a low temperature
Put the clothes in the washing machine. Use the setting with a temperature of 30 °C or less.
- Use regular detergent.
- The temperature should not be too hot so that the stain does not seep into the fibers of the garment.
- Check the label on the garment first to see if you can use the washing machine to clean it. If you can't, wash the clothes by hand in a bucket that has been given detergent, before rinsing them with clean water.
Step 7. Air dry the clothes when you have finished washing them
Hang the clothes on the clothesline using tongs. Do not use the dryer in the washing machine, as the heat can allow the paint stain to seep into the fabric.
Method 2 of 4: Removing Paint from Carpets or Upholstery
Step 1. Scrape off any remaining wet paint using a dull knife
Use a knife to scrape off any paint that is stuck to the surface. Each time you finish scraping off the paint, wipe the knife with a tissue or cloth to remove any adhering paint.
Be very careful when scraping the carpet or furniture upholstery to avoid tearing the surface
Step 2. Prepare a bucket, then put warm water and soap in it
Pour warm water until it reaches half the bucket. Put bar soap, laundry detergent, or dish soap in the bucket as you fill it with water.
- If you don't have a bucket, use a container large enough to dip the cloth into.
- Do not use hot water because it can make the paint stain stick to the carpet.
Step 3. Wipe the stain with warm soapy water
Make the cloth slightly damp and use a quick, upward flick to lift up any mounds of acrylic paint. Use light, flicking motions, not pushing inwards. Start on the outside and work your way up to the center of the stain.
- Continue scrubbing the stain until the cloth is clean with no paint stains on it.
- Make sure the scouring cloth is only slightly damp. A cloth that is too wet can cause the stain to spread over a larger area.
Step 4. Remove the stain with a nail polish remover, if a cloth soaked in soapy water doesn't work
Test the nail polish remover in a hidden area first to see if it can damage carpets or upholstery. Next, clean the stain with a nail polish remover until it's gone.
- Do not use nail polish remover if the upholstery is made of triacetate or acetate, as this can cause the color to fade. If you don't know the type of fabric, test the nail polish remover in a hidden area first.
- Use an unused cotton or cloth to clean the nail polish remover.
Method 3 of 4: Removing Paint from Wood and Plastic
Step 1. Remove as much wet paint as possible
Use a cloth or tissue to remove any still wet acrylic paint. If using a cloth, flush and rinse the cloth with water immediately after use to prevent the paint color from staining it.
Step 2. Lightly apply vegetable oil to the paint stain
Pour some vegetable oil on a paper towel. Next, wipe the tissue over the dry acrylic paint stain.
Vegetable oil helps soften the paint so that you can remove it easily
Step 3. Scrape off the dried paint with a plastic scraper on the surface of the plastic object
Start at the edges of the stain, then work your way up to the center. If necessary, use more vegetable oil.
Plastic scrapers can be purchased at hardware stores
Step 4. Use denatured alcohol to treat stubborn stains on wood or plastic
Dip a cloth or cotton swab in the alcohol, then rub it over the stain to remove the paint.
Test the alcohol on a hidden area of plastic or wood first to see if the material is damaged. Test on a small area on the back or underside of the wood or plastic. Apply a small amount of denatured alcohol. Allow the alcohol to dry, then check to see if the wood/plastic is damaged or stained
Step 5. Prepare a bucket, then put soap and warm water in it
Fill the bucket with warm water and soap up to half way. You can use bar soap or dish soap.
Use a container or bucket large enough to dip the cloth
Step 6. Clean the remaining alcohol with soapy water
Dip a cloth in warm soapy water, then wipe the area with the alcohol. After you clean it, dry the area with a tissue.
You only need a damp cloth, not soaking wet
Method 4 of 4: Removing Paint from Glass
Step 1. Dip a sponge in a bucket filled with warm soapy water
Fill half the bucket with warm water. Add dish soap until the water is foamy, then dip a sponge and squeeze out the excess water.
Use a cloth if you don't have a sponge
Step 2. Wet the glass thoroughly using a sponge
Use a sponge to wet the entire surface of the stained glass. This way, the wet paint will disappear and the dried paint will loosen.
Step 3. Scrape off the dried paint using a razor
Place the razor against the glass at an angle of about 45 degrees. Scrape off all the paint stains, starting from the outside towards the center.
- Make sure the glass is always wet when you scrape it to avoid scratches. If necessary, use large amounts of warm, soapy water.
- Be careful when using a razor. Always store in its container when not in use.
- Do not use a razor blade on tempered glass, as this can scratch it. If it is a tempered glass type, the label will be listed in the lower right corner of each panel.
Step 4. Dry the glass after you have removed the paint on the surface
Use a cloth to dry the entire glass thoroughly. This action will remove any stuck stains.
If the stain remains, use a commercial or homemade window cleaner
Warning
- If you are unable to remove the acrylic paint stain yourself, contact a professional cleaning service as soon as possible to remove the stain.
- Never dry clothes that have acrylic paint stains in the washing machine as the stains will stick together and be very difficult to remove.
