Removing Paint Stains from Clothing

How do I get dried "water-soluble" wall paint spatters off my knit shirt? I washed it and the paint is still there. Thanks.

By Linda Thomas from Melbourne, FL

Answers:

Removing Paint Stains from Clothing

I have had great success using Murphy's Oil Soap. Wet the paint spot with water, apply Murphy's, let it sit a few minutes. I used a soft toothbrush to lightly scrub. I use this product to clean my decorative painting brushes. If this doesn't work, try 91% alcohol.

Let it soak as well. It will dissolve the water-based paint. I've also heard of using oven cleaner on oil-based paints. Before you try any spot cleaning, check for color-fastness on the inside hem if possible. Would hate to ruin your clothes. Good Luck. (06/18/2009)

By Stefanie Roy

Removing Paint Stains from Clothing

Mommy was a hero. Mineral spirits worked wonderfully to remove oil-based wood stain from a 100% polyester futbol jersey (Barcelona). It also had water-based paint on it. I chose to use the mineral spirits first to treat the wood stain by simply pouring a little on each spot and let it sit or apply more until it faded.

I then washed in cold with regular laundry detergent. I then went to work on the paint by scrubbing with an abrasive soap bar I have (called Hog Wash) that is for scrubbing stains. Using that and warm-hot water, the paint came out too. One more wash as normal and you can't tell it was ever stained. Both were fresh stains although the paint had dried, but it was only about 2 hours old. (07/05/2009)

By Melissa