How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes?

Acrylics are the workhorse of paint by numbers, vibrant, quick-drying, and… determined to live forever on your favorite T-shirt if you ignore them. The key to how to get acrylic paint out of clothes is timing and using the right solvent for your fabric. Here’s a practical guide to remove both fresh and dried acrylic without wrecking your garment.

TL;DR - How to get acrylic paint out of clothes?

• Fresh spill: Flush from the back with cool water, add dish soap, repeat, then enzyme wash. Air-dry to check, heat sets stains.

• Dried stain (how to get dry acrylic paint out of clothing): Soften with isopropyl alcohol, lift with a soft brush/cloth, rinse, enzyme wash, air-dry.

• White garments (how to get acrylic paint out of white clothes): Start with alcohol; use acetone only on white, colorfast cotton after a spot test. Rinse well and air-dry.

• Don’ts: No hot water first, no aggressive scrubbing, don’t mix chemicals. If you’re still asking how to remove acrylic paint out of clothes, repeat the alcohol + enzyme cycle and avoid the dryer until the mark is gone.

Act fast and work from the back

Acrylic is water-based while wet but forms a plastic film as it dries. The moment you spot it, scrape off the excess with a spoon or card, then flush from the back of the stain with cool water. That pushes pigment out of the fibers instead of deeper in. Blot, don’t rub, so you don’t spread a halo.

Keep nearby: liquid dish soap, enzyme laundry detergent, isopropyl alcohol (70–99%), acetone (for white, colorfast cotton only), stain gel, soft toothbrush, clean white cloths.

Fresh (still damp) acrylic paint

How do you get acrylic paint out of clothes when it’s still wet?

1. Back-flush with cool water. Keep rinsing until the flow runs clearer.

2. Dot with dish soap. Work it in gently with fingers or a soft toothbrush.

3. Rinse and repeat. Alternate soap and water until the mark fades.

4. Machine wash. Use enzyme detergent on the warmest setting your care label allows.

5. Air-dry and check. Heat sets stains, don’t tumble dry until it’s gone.

Dried acrylic paint

How to get dry acrylic paint out of clothing: break the film, then lift the color.

Method A (most fabrics): isopropyl alcohol

1. Place a white cloth under the stain.

2. Saturate the spot with isopropyl alcohol; wait 1–2 minutes.

3. Loosen with a soft toothbrush, working outside → in.

4. Blot, reapply alcohol, and keep rotating to clean cloth.

5. Rinse, launder with enzyme detergent, and air-dry to verify.

Good for cotton, poly blends, denim. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can sub in a pinch.

Method B (white, colorfast cotton only): acetone

1. Spot-test inside a seam.

2. Apply a little acetone; lift with cloth/brush.

3. Rinse thoroughly; launder; air-dry.
   Avoid on dyed/printed pieces and acetate/triacetate.
   
   

Method C (delicates like wool/silk)

1. Soften with a dab of glycerin or gentle stain gel for 10–15 minutes.

2. Rinse cool; hand-wash with a wool/silk detergent.

3. Repeat if needed; for valuable garments, consult a cleaner.

Special case: white garments

How to get acrylic paint out of white clothes without yellowing the fabric: start with alcohol as above. If the item is white, 100% cotton, and colorfast, acetone can accelerate removal, but always spot-test and rinse thoroughly. Finish with an enzyme wash and air-dry before deciding if you need a second round.

Fabric cheatsheet

• Cotton & cotton blends: tolerant; alcohol first, acetone only on white/colorfast.

• Polyester/athleisure: alcohol works, use a light touch to avoid pilling.

• Denim: sturdy; alcohol plus toothbrush usually succeeds.

• Wool/silk/viscose: skip harsh solvents; soften, then gentle wash.

• Acetate/triacetate: never acetone (can dissolve fibers).

Safety & common mistakes

• Don’t mix chemicals (bleach + ammonia = dangerous).

• Don’t start with hot water; heat can set stains.

• Don’t scrub hard, fuzzed fibers make stains look worse.

• Ventilate when using alcohol or acetone, and keep away from flames.

Prevention for paint by numbers fans

Wear an apron or old overshirt, keep baby wipes or a damp cloth by your easel, and practice clean palette hygiene (decant small, cap fast). Treat drips immediately, with acrylics, five minutes can be the difference between a quick rinse and a chemistry project.

Quick FAQs

How do you get acrylic paint out of clothes quickly?

Flush from the back with cool water, add dish soap, and repeat until it fades, then wash with enzyme detergent. Air-dry to confirm before using heat.

How to remove acrylic paint out of clothes once it’s dry?

Soften with isopropyl alcohol, lift with a toothbrush and cloth, then launder. For white, colorfast cotton, carefully spot-tested acetone can speed things up.

Can you get acrylic paint out of clothes?

Yes, the same methods apply. Start with alcohol for dried stains and detergent for fresh ones. Always air-dry between attempts so you don’t set the residue.

How to get acrylic paint out of white clothes without bleaching?

Use isopropyl alcohol first; consider acetone only on white, colorfast cotton. Rinse well, enzyme wash, and air-dry. Avoid chlorine bleach on protein fibers and printed items.

How to get acrylic paint out of clothes if the stain is old?

Old stains need patience: repeated alcohol soaks, gentle brushing, and multiple enzyme washes. If fibers are damaged or the film is fully embedded, a professional cleaner may be the best next step.

Bottom line

If you’re wondering how to get acrylic paint out of clothes or how to remove acrylic paint out of clothes, move fast on fresh spills with soap and cool water. For set stains, isopropyl alcohol (and acetone for getting acrylic paint out of white clothes when safe) breaks the film so detergent can finish the job. Follow these steps and most mishaps from your custom paint by numbers  sessions won’t outlive the weekend.