Getting paint on clothes is often perceived as a death sentence for the fabric, but the situation can be improvedif you act quickly and competently. The main secret of success lies in determining the type of paint and choosing the appropriate solvent. You shouldn’t immediately throw away the damaged item, because you already have many stain removers at home.
Determine the type of paint
Before you start cleaning, it’s important to understand what you’re dealing with. Water-soluble paints (watercolor, gouache, water-based emulsion, fresh acrylic) are the easiest to wash. Oil and alkyd enamels require a more aggressive approach and the use of special solvents. If the stain is completely fresh, the chances of salvation are maximum, but there are also effective methods for dried stains.
Fighting water-soluble compounds
A fresh stain from such paint should be washed immediately under cold water jet from the wrong side. This will wash the pigment out of the fibers, preventing it from being absorbed deeper.
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Laundry soap. Lather the area and leave for 15-20 minutes, then scrub gently.
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Alcohol or vodka. If the paint (for example, acrylic) has already set, moisten a cotton pad with alcohol and blot the stain. Don’t rubso as not to smear the pigment.
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Vinegar and salt. Mix the ingredients to a paste, apply to the fabric and wait until it dries, then wash the item.
Removing oil paint and enamel
Here, water will not help, and may even harm, fixing the fatty base in the fibers of the fabric. You will need substances that break down oils.
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Vegetable oil. Surprisingly, fresh oil paint can be softened with regular sunflower oil. Apply it to a cotton pad and work from the edges to the center. After this, be sure to remove the greasy residue with dishwashing liquid.
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Gasoline or white spirit. Use only purified gasoline (for lighters). Place a paper towel under the stain and treat the front side of the fabric with solvent.
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Butter and powder. Mix soft oil with washing powder in equal proportions. Rub the mixture into the stain until the paint begins to come off, then rinse with warm water.
Dealing with dried stains
If the paint has hardened, mechanical cleaning becomes a mandatory step. Carefully scrape off the top layer with a knife or blade, being careful not to damage the threads of the fabric. The remaining trace will have to be soaked with a compress from the selected solvent (turpentine, acetone or alcohol) for 30–60 minutes.
Always spend test on an inconspicuous area clothes before using aggressive products, especially acetone or solvents, as they can discolor the fabric or damage synthetic fibers. After treatment in any way, the item must be washed as usual with an additional rinse.
A timely reaction and the correct selection of cleaning products will help restore your clothes to their original appearance.
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