Our handy step by step guide to removing water or oil-based paint from your clothes could be the best thing you read today, because according to research, we’re a nation that LOVES to decorate!
Apparently, 55% of us have a room at home that needs painting, and 1 in 4 of us admit to constantly decorating…
We’ll decorate our living rooms every 25 months on average, our bedrooms every 29 months and our bathroom every 37 months. No surprise then if we find we’ve splattered paint in places that we’d rather not have.
So what should we do when that tin of Denim Drift is all over our jeans?
Know your enemy.
First things first… check if you’re dealing with a water-based or oil-based paint because how you tackle both these stains will differ. Emulsion paint and most modern gloss paint is now water-based (as are most of the paints our kids use for their school masterpieces). But some gloss paints can still be oil-based and acrylics (used for artwork and crafts) are also based on oil.
N.B. when treating any type of paint stain:
- Act quickly. Dried paint can be harder to remove.
- Always blot at a stain gently - never rub.
- Check clothing care labels for any specific instructions.
- Don’t give up! Paint can be stubborn and may need repeated treatments.
water-based paint.
step 1.
Use a blunt knife or spoon to gently scrape off any excess wet or dry paint.
step 2.
Hold the reverse side of the stain under warm running water.
step 3.
Soak the stain in a mix of one part water, one part laundry detergent (such as smol bio) and blot with a clean cloth.
step 4.
Apply stain remover directly to the mark if still visible.
step 5.
Wash with your usual detergent in your machine (we recommend smol bio or non-bio) on the cycle detailed by the care label.
Oil-based paint.
step 1.
Remove any excess paint that you can quickly but gently, with a blunt knife or spoon.
step 2.
Turn the garment inside out, placing kitchen paper against the actual stain to stop it bleeding through onto the reverse side. Blot at the reverse of the stain with turpentine spirit or paint thinner (if your clothing care label allows).
step 3.
Rinse with warm water.
step 4.
Soak the stain in a mix of one part water, one part laundry detergent (such as smol bio) and leave to soak overnight (check clothing label allows).
step 5.
Wash with your usual detergent in your machine (we recommend smol bio or non-bio) on the cycle detailed by the care label.
and remember;
If any paint stains remain after washing your clothes in your machine, do NOT dry the garment. Treat it once more with smol stain gel and wash the item again. Repeat this until the stain has gone.
And if you’re unlucky enough to have spilt paint on delicate fabrics then it might be necessary to take the clothing to a professional cleaner.
* Furniture123.co.uk 2017
LAUNDRY FREE TRIAL
