After repairs, the problem of removing traces of watercolor, enamel, and other coloring agents from clothes arises. This problem is familiar to artists, decorators, and ordinary citizens. Let's find out how to remove a paint stain from clothes without ruining the item, and what means may be needed for this.
Methods for removing different types of paint
To remove a paint stain from clothing without damaging the material, you must first find out how different types of dyes differ from each other. The main difference is that pigments are dissolved in different substances. Therefore, if you choose the right solvent, you can destroy the pigment layer and wash the paint off your clothing.
In addition to solvents, the composition includes substances that form films after drying. They give strength to the paint layer and provide adhesion to the surface. This means that in order to clean a stain from clothing, you need a solvent that can destroy this film. And at the same time, it should not corrode the fabric or dyes that the clothing is painted with, otherwise the damage from attempts to clean the item will be greater than from the stain itself.
Watercolor, gouache
They are diluted with water, so fresh stains that get on clothes are washed off quite easily. Most of the paint is washed off with cold water, and then the item is washed at a low water temperature (no more than 30°C). It is not advisable to use hot water for washing, as this will only speed up the penetration of the dye into the fabric.
If the paint has had time to dry, you can remove the stain using laundry soap. After rubbing the stain with soap, leave it for an hour, then rinse with water and wash the item in the washing machine. Another folk remedy is hot food vinegar. The method is not suitable for delicate fabrics. And, of course, stain removers that correspond to the type of material give good results.
Oily
Oil paint penetrates the fabric very deeply, so it is not easy to remove. In general, the process looks like this:
- gently soften the stain with fat (sunflower oil, Vaseline or any other fat-containing liquids will do). You should act carefully, since fat stains are unpleasant in themselves. We treat only the part of the fabric that is stained with oil paint;
- scrape off the top layer with a knife. You can also use a hard brush;
- remove the remains with a solvent. Acetone or nail polish remover will do. Gasoline can also help.
If after attempts to remove paint there are greasy marks left, they are removed by ironing the item through a napkin. You can also use ammonia. The unpleasant smell from solvents can be absorbed into the fabric fibers. Washing (one or more) will help remove it.
Latex and acrylic
To remove acrylic paint, use the following method:
- The stain is washed from the reverse side with cold water. Then the water is lightly squeezed out;
- the mark is sprinkled with tooth powder or lubricated with dishwashing gel. Then you need to rub the product with a soft-bristled toothbrush;
- then the clothes are washed in the machine. The washing temperature should be the highest of those allowed for this type of fabric.
For delicate materials, such as silk, you can use a different combination of substances. First, rub the stain with laundry soap, then treat it with denatured alcohol. To enhance the effect, warm the alcohol in a water bath. Remove the residue with a cotton swab. Then blot the stain with a towel and sprinkle with talc. After an hour, wash the item for final cleaning.
Aniline
There are two main answers to the question of how to remove aniline dye from clothes:
- denatured alcohol, potassium permanganate and oxalic acid are dissolved in warm water. The solution must be brought to complete homogeneity. Then the stains are treated with the prepared composition and left so that the solution has time to be absorbed. After this, the item must be washed in the machine;
- you can do it a little differently. First, the film of the dye composition is soaked in alcohol. Then the stain is treated with a solution of potassium permanganate. And then, when the potassium permanganate is thoroughly absorbed, the mark is poured with oxalic acid. After treatment, the clothes are washed to remove the cleaning agents and the remains of the aniline dye.
Aniline compounds are quite persistent, and aggressive substances are required to remove them. If the stain is on a delicate material, you need to take the item to the dry cleaner.
Hair dye
This type is a serious problem, it is easier to get rid of paint on clothes immediately after detection. Therefore, it is worth carefully examining all things after finishing dyeing and acting quickly when a stain is detected. It will be much more difficult to remove old dirt.
Hydrogen peroxide will help solve the problem with white items. Apply the solution for half an hour. After that, rinse the item thoroughly and then wash it in the machine. You can also use food vinegar in the same way. Both of these products are not suitable for cleaning colored materials. The colored fabric will almost certainly fade from the effects of these chemicals, so it is worth looking for other options.
Pre-made stain removers can help remove stains from colored materials. They are purchased in the household chemicals department. There are quite a lot of such products and the procedure for working with them may differ. Therefore, before starting cleaning, you should carefully study the instructions and strictly follow their recommendations.
Fighting dried stains
The sooner the stain is discovered, the easier it is to deal with. Removing dried paint from clothing can be more difficult. There are several time-tested recipes for removing old marks:
- turpentine can effectively soften old paint. One of the first methods is to wet the stain with turpentine and leave it for 30-60 minutes. Then the item should be washed. Several washing cycles may be needed to remove the smell of turpentine;
- Dishwashing liquid can also remove old paint. A solution is prepared from water and detergent, thoroughly shaking the gel in warm water. Then the stained clothes are soaked for 12 hours. The softened surface is rubbed with the hard side of a dish sponge. The final stage is machine washing.
Removing an old stain will require a lot of effort. Delicate thin materials simply won't survive such cleaning. But even in this case, you can come up with some solution. For example, hide the stained area behind a patch pocket or decorative applique.
Nuances depending on the type of fabric
Different types of materials require different approaches. Some solvents may be recommended for each type, while others should be avoided. Here are some examples:
- genuine leather and its substitutes are well cleaned with alcohol and alcohol-containing liquids;
- Nail polish remover removes marks from nylon jackets well. This solvent is prepared on the basis of several synthetic esters;
- You can try to clean paint from synthetics using ammonia. After treatment with an ammonia solution, the product is washed in salt water. The final stage is machine washing to remove the unpleasant smell from ammonia;
- Nylon, chiffon, wool, silk are quite sensitive fabrics. It is worth remembering that most strong solvents are contraindicated for these materials. Before cleaning, test the solvent on an inconspicuous area. Warm alcohol removes dirt well from nylon or capron. The final stage is washing in salted water.
Don't despair if paint gets on your favorite piece of clothing. If you act quickly and correctly, most stains can be removed without a trace.
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