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How to get spray paint out of clothes quickly and easily

Spray painting is a popular, creative hobby, but unfortunately it can leave behind some pesky stains on your clothes. It can be a bit tricky to get spray paint out, as with most types of paints, but don’t worry, there are some methods to help you out! Here’s how to remove spray paint stains from clothing.
A glass of red wine spilled onto a button-up shirt.

Here we go – step by step

Step 01: If the stain is still fresh, try to blot the paint carefully with an absorbent paper towel. Scrape off as much dried paint as you can.

Step 02: Check how to wash the garment on the care label and choose a Persil® stain remover suitable for the type of fabric.

Step 03: Carefully apply the stain removal product to the stain with a cotton swab or cotton pad, avoid contact with the surrounding fabric. Then, allow the product to soak in for a few minutes.

Step 04: Choose a Persil® detergent suitable for the color and type of fabric of your laundry load and wash it in the washing machine as usual, provided you can machine wash your garment.

Done! After washing, you should check garment for stains before it dries. If any residue is still visible, repeat the wash again while the clothes are still damp.

Does spray paint stain clothes?

Spray paint usually comes in aerosol form, meaning small flecks of paint cover a large surface area. Unfortunately, this can mean stains on your clothes. Acting fast is key to most stains, but with spray paint stains, the flecks will probably dry before you get a chance to clean them off properly. However, there are ways to clean up clothes that have seen their fair share of spray painting – here’s how to remove spray paint stains from clothing.

Choose a detergent and a stain remover 

Use a stain remover that is suitable for both the type of fabric and the color of the garment. If you are unsure whether the material of your clothing is compatible with the stain remover, test the product on a discreet spot first! Detergents and stain removers that are tough on tricky stains are ideal, such as the Persil® ProClean® Stain Fighter detergents.

For a thoroughly deep clean, you could also look to the Persil® ProClean® OXIPower range.

Pre-treatment

It may be helpful to pre-treat the stain before washing, especially if it’s extra stubborn. To do this, first remove as much as possible of any residue spray paint by dabbing the area with a paper towel or cotton swab. If the paint is dry, brush the clothes with a firm bristled brush or scrape the paint off as much as you can with a blunt object. Afterwards, you can apply a little liquid detergent, or your stain remover of choice, to the stain.

Washing and rinsing

Wash the clothes as usual and use a high-quality detergent such as Persil® ProClean® Stain Fighter Liquid Detegent. Follow the instructions on the label of your garment.

Check if the stain has gone

Before you put the clothes in the dryer, you should check whether the spray paint stain has disappeared completely. Otherwise, it could still be set by the drying process. If the stain is still there, repeat the pre-treatment and wash cycle.