How to Remove Acrylic Paint Stains

Whether you’ve just let acrylic paint get on your clothes, carpet, upholstery, plastic, wood or glass, you can remove the paint yourself if you act quickly. The acrylic paint removal steps include wiping the wet paint first, then treating the stain with warm soapy water, nail polish remover, denatured alcohol, or a paint scraper, depending on the material of the painted surface. If you are unable to remove the paint yourself, you should contact a cleaning service as soon as possible.

Table of Contents

Remove paint on fabric

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Rinse wet paint under cold running water. Place each acrylic paint stain under running cold water. Wipe the stain until the water runs down and no longer has the color of the paint. ^{[1] X Research Source}

You can also soak the whole item in cold water until the stain fades.
Check clothing labels before you start washing to make sure you can clean it yourself at home. If it’s a fabric like acetate or triacetate, take it straight to the dry cleaners. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Spray hairspray on any dry paint. Use regular hairspray to treat paint stains. Spray the stain with enough hairspray to wet the fabric. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

In addition to hairspray, you can also use nail polish remover. Use a rag or cotton ball to dab nail polish remover onto the stain.
If you are afraid that hairspray or nail polish remover will damage the fabric, you should test it first in an inconspicuous part of your clothing. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Do not use hairspray or nail polish remover on acetate or triacetate fabrics, as these products will damage the fabric. Take it to a professional laundromat. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Use a sponge to scrub dry acrylic paint. Rub the sponge vigorously over the stain until you see the paint seep from the fabric into the sponge. If the paint doesn’t fade at first, spray more hairspray and try scrubbing again. ^{[6] X Research Source}

You can also use a clean rag to scrub in lieu of a sponge if desired.

Use a knife to scrape off stubborn paint stains. If there is any dried paint left on the fabric, you can use the blunt edge of a knife to scrape it off. Shave carefully, lest you cut the fabric. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Hairspray or nail polish remover works to break down dried paint.
Using a butter knife is best.

Remove paint from carpet or upholstery

Scrape wet paint with a dull knife. Use a knife to gently scrape off any paint on the surface of the item. Use a paper towel or rag to clean the knife after each shave. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Be sure to scrape off the carpet or upholstery very carefully to avoid damaging the item.

Mix warm water and soap in a bucket. Fill a bucket half full with warm water, then mix bar soap, dish soap, or laundry soap into the water. ^{[12] X Research Source}

If you don’t have a bucket, you can use something large enough to put the rags in.
Make sure the water is not hot. Hot water can deepen the stain.

Rub warm soapy water into the stain. Dip the rag in slightly damp soapy water and rub it quickly in an upward direction to remove the paint stain as you lift the rag. Rub gently instead of pushing the stain into the surface of the item. Start at the outer edge of the stain and work your way into the center. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Continue scrubbing the stain until the paint is clean.
Make sure the rag is just damp and not wet. A rag that is too wet can cause the stain to spread.

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Dab nail polish remover on the stain if soapy water doesn’t work. Test the nail polish remover on an inconspicuous part of the item first to make sure it doesn’t damage the carpet or upholstery, then dab on the stain until it’s clean. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Do not use nail polish remover if the upholstery is acetate or triacetate, as it can discolor the fabric. If you’re not sure what material it is, it’s a good idea to test it in a hidden location first to make sure you don’t damage the item.
Use an old cloth or cotton ball to dab nail polish remover on the stain.

Remove paint on wood or plastic

Wipe wet paint stains to remove as much paint as possible. Use a paper towel or rag to wipe away the wet paint. If you’re using a rag, soak the rag in water and wash the rag immediately after removing the paint to avoid staining the fabric. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Apply a thin layer of vegetable oil over the paint. Pour a small amount of food-grade oil on a paper towel and dab over the dried acrylic paint. ^{[16] X Research Source}

The vegetable oil will help soften the paint before scraping.

Remove paint on glass

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Dip the sponge in a bucket of warm soapy water. Fill a bucket half full with warm water, add soap to the water to foam. Dip the sponge in soapy water and squeeze out the excess water. ^{[21] X Research Source}

You can also use a rag instead of a sponge.

Wet the glass with a sponge dipped in water. Use a sponge dipped in water to saturate the surface of the paint stain. This step will clean up wet paint and loosen dry paint. ^{[22] X Research Source}

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Scrape off acrylic paint stains with a safety razor blade. Holding the razor blade close to the glass surface, tilt it at a 45-degree angle. Scrape off the paint, starting from the outside and gradually scraping in the middle. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

Make sure the glass is always wet while shaving to avoid scratches. Add warm soapy water if needed.
Be careful when using the razor blade. Always cover the blade after use. ^{[24] X Research Sources}
Do not use a razor blade on tempered glass, as it will scratch the glass. If it is tempered glass, this information will be written in the lower right corner of each glass panel. ^{[25] X Research Sources}

Dry the glass after cleaning the paint. Use a dry rag to wipe the entire glass surface. This step will clean any remaining stains. ^{[26] X Research Sources}

Use a store-bought or homemade glass cleaner to remove any remaining stains. ^{[27] X Research Source}

Warning

If you are unable to clean acrylic paint stains yourself at home, contact a professional cleaning service as soon as possible. ^{[28] X Research Sources}
Never dry clothes that still have acrylic paint on them in the dryer, as the stains will stick and cannot be removed.

Things you need

Remove paint on fabric

Hairspray or nail polish remover
Sponge or rag
Blunt knife
Commercial stain remover
Laundry soap
Clothesline or clothes drying rack

Remove paint from carpet or upholstery

Blunt knife
Rag
Shove
Bar soap, dish soap or laundry soap
Nail polish remover
Old cloth or cotton wool

Remove paint on wood or plastic

Tissue
Rag
Vegetable oil
Plastic razor
Denatured alcohol
Shove
Bar soap or dish soap

Remove paint on glass

Shove
Dishwashing liquid
Sponge
Rag
Safety razor

Steps

Remove paint on fabric

Remove paint from carpet or upholstery

Remove paint on wood or plastic

Remove paint on glass

Warning

Things you need

Remove paint on fabric

Remove paint from carpet or upholstery

Remove paint on wood or plastic

Remove paint on glass

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