5 Tricks To Remove Paint Stains From Clothes

Children love to paint and they love to get dirty. But fear not: in this article we will teach you how to remove paint stains from the clothes of your budding Picassos.

Every mother is happy to let her children play with tempera. It is a great way for children to develop their artistic skills. However, every mom radically changes her expression when she discovers that this cute garment is full of stains of all colors. Rest assured, moms. In this article we will reveal some tricks to remove paint stains from children’s clothes.

True, it is very nice to offer children paints to make them color and have fun. It’s also a nice scene to see little ones helping their parents paint a fence or backyard wall. However, these activities can cause problems… irreparable? How to remove paint stains from clothes?

5 tricks to remove paint stains from children’s clothes

1. Immediately put the clothes to soak

As soon as you notice that your child’s clothes are stained with paint, immediately soak them in cold water. This will prevent the paint from getting too deep into the fabric.

If you have any stain remover, don’t be afraid to use it. Finally, as soon as you can, wash your clothes with some detergent and let them dry in the sun. By following these simple steps, you will save yourself more effort later. And maybe you even saved the clothes.

2. White wine vinegar

One of the timeless tricks to clean clothes. White wine vinegar can save you even in these situations. How? If you have a garment with old paint stains, pour some vinegar over the stain and scrub with a toothbrush or similar brush as long as it has soft bristles.

Also, if the paint has already dried, it is advisable to try to remove as much of it as possible with a plastic spatula.  To facilitate the operation, in these cases you can also resort to the use of solvents. Once you have obtained the desired result, immerse the garment in warm water and after a few hours, let it dry, as always, in the sun.

3. Nail polish remover

Yes, it seems like a risky option, and it is. However, it  can be very effective for stubborn stains that have been on the garment for a while. To use this product for this purpose, simply pour a few drops of nail polish remover on the stain and rub hard. Then, wash the garment in cold water and dry it in the sun.

Maybe the first time you will only be able to discolor the stain a little. Bear in mind that those that penetrate deep into the tissues will require more effort.  In this case, repeat the operation as many times as necessary. 

4. Dishwasher detergent

This can also be useful for removing stains from clothes.  To start, mix equal parts of dishwasher detergent and water in a glass. Then wet the fabric with the mixture obtained, but from the side not stained with tempera. In this way the color will come off more easily.

Then, scrub with a toothbrush and remove the stain little by little. Repeat the operation until the stain is gone. Lastly, put the garment in the washing machine. An important tip for removing paint stains from clothing : when the stain begins to come off, be careful that it does not dirty the rest of the garment.

5. White spirit

So far, we’ve looked at ways to get rid of water-based paint stains. These are the ones that are used for various activities. However,  if your child has helped paint a mural or wall of a thing with oil paints,   which are typically the ones used for outdoors, you will need to take more drastic measures.

We refer to industrial products such as solvents. Their main drawback is that they practically discolour the garment. But they will certainly help remove paint stains from children’s clothing. Among these products, the most “delicate” is white spirit. Remember: it should be used in ventilated areas and being very careful, because it is toxic.

In this sense, it is no exaggeration to use gloves and a mask.  Similarly, this method is not recommended for those with asthma or allergy problems. The steps to follow to remove white spirit stains are:

1. Apply a little white spirit to the stain with a sponge . Leave for 10-15 minutes.
2. Scrub the stain area with a toothbrush or knife until it is partially removed.
3. Apply some detergent and scrub gently to remove the stain. If it doesn’t go away, let the garment soak in cold water.
4. Finally,  rinse it in the washing machine and let it dry in the sun. 

To conclude, two general recommendations that may seem obvious but which you may have overlooked. It is always advisable to have children wear old clothes or a protective apron when using paints and paint. Likewise, don’t forget to read the instructions on the jar carefully. Perhaps the ideal way to remove stains is indicated.