Removing acrylic paint: this is how you get rid of the stains

Remove acrylic paint
This is how you get rid of the stains

by Claudia Enders
January 7th, 2022, 11:02 am

When painting, splashes of color quickly land on skin and clothing. While the paint on the hands can be removed with plenty of soap and scrubbing, one is often perplexed with acrylic paint on clothing. Is your favorite sweater dirty now? No, because there are many helpful tips and tricks that can be used to remove the acrylic paint. Here is a summary:

Remove fresh acrylic paint

Acrylic paint is soluble in water when fresh. As long as the acrylic paint has not yet dried, it can be easily removed with water. This applies to both skin and textiles and materials. The acrylic paint on the hands can be used when fresh simply be washed off, just like the fresh color can be wiped off surfaces or washed out of textiles. Clothes will be best soaked. If the color cannot be removed immediately afterwards, add some dishwashing detergent and then clean the garment in the washing machine as usual.

Remove dried acrylic paint

Basically: Removing dried acrylic paint is a little more difficult. The color is too one become hard mass and we won’t get any further here with water alone. Instead, z. B. Alcohol on: It can loosen and remove the stain. However, depending on the materials, there are still a few things to consider:

Remove dried acrylic paint from textiles

Remove acrylic paint with alcohol

In order to be able to remove the acrylic paint better, it is advisable to break up the dried layer with your fingernails. Then you need Rubbing alcohol – A disinfectant containing alcohol is also suitable, but make sure that it does not contain any fragrances or dyes, as these could damage the fabric. Put the alcohol on some kitchen paper or cotton wool and test in an inconspicuous placewhether your item of clothing is not fading as a result – otherwise it is better to send it to the dry cleaner. If the material retains its color, you can dab the alcohol directly onto the dried acrylic stain. Avoid rubbing or pressing too hard – it could damage your garment. Repeat the process until the paint has dissolved. The garment is then washed in the washing machine as normal. If the color is still visible later, repeat the procedure.

Remove acrylic paint with vinegar

Soak the garment in warm water. Then mix equal parts vinegar and ammonia and add a little salt. Wring the water out of the garment. Test the mixture on one first inconspicuous placeby applying it with the sponge. If the color doesn’t fade, you can apply the mixture to the stain with a sponge. The paint residues can then be picked up with a cloth or cotton swab. The garment then needs to be washed in the washing machine. If the stain has not yet disappeared, repeat the steps.

Notice: Instead of home remedies, you can also use specific, commercially available acrylic paint cleaners. Delicate clothes are best kept in the dry cleaner.

Remove dried acrylic paint from leather

Acrylic paint stains on the leather shoes or leather jacket are also not nice! First of all, you should try to remove the color by lifting it off. Then you can with Mineral spirits or spirit dab the paint. but caution: This can discolor the leather. In order to counteract discoloration, the entire piece of leather can be rubbed off with white spirit. A leather care product is then appropriate. Acetone or nail polish remover should never be used on leather!

Remove dried acrylic paint on glass

This is useful for dried-on acrylic stains on glass acetone (or nail polish remover with acetone). The solvent can be applied with a cotton swab. After a short exposure time, the paint can be wiped off with a cloth.

Remove dried acrylic paint from the carpet

Dab the color stain – as long as it is still damp – with Rubbing alcohol. The carpet should then be cleaned with an electric carpet cleaner. If you don’t have a carpet cleaner at home, you can use it for example. E.g. borrow from the hardware store.

Remove dried acrylic paint from wood

In the case of sealed wooden surfaces carefully set a knife flat, this allows the color to stand out. Alternatively, you can help with alcohol (if necessary, test an inconspicuous area beforehand). Then apply wood care.

Remove acrylic paint from brush

In the case of liquid acrylic paint, the excess paint remove with an old cloth and then rinse the brush with plenty of water and, if necessary, with curd soap.
Dried acrylic paint you can with the brush vinegar remove. Put some vinegar in a glass with hot water. Soak the brush in it overnight. Then wash it out thoroughly and, if necessary, use a brush to help you brush out and loosen the paint residues even better. Let the brush dry well afterwards. Warning: This method is only suitable for brushes with metal fasteners. If necessary, special brush cleaners can also be used.

General note: Solvents give off fumes and can damage the skin. Accordingly – even if it is a question of home remedies – for Ensure adequate ventilation and wear a respirator.

Looking for more household tips? Here you can find out how to remove adhesive residue, remove silicone and remove resin stains.

Sources used: hausjournal.net, waesche-waschen.de

Brigitte