How to conquer that paint stain on your favorite shirt

Here's the scoop:  A little bit of patience and care is what you need to get out a paint stain.

We have freshened up the 5 Mile Wash & Dry with a new coat of paint inside the store.  While we try to be careful not to brush up against a wet wall or the roller causes a few unplanned drips, sometimes a few paint stains find our way to our clothing despite our cautious movements.  

If you find yourself with a bit of paint on your clothes from your painting projects, we have a few helpful tips to get out the stain.

Depending on the type of paint, removing this type of "artwork" takes a little bit of patience and care.  But it can be done!  Here are some tips from the Laundry & Stain Removal Guide from Tide: 

Dried-on latex:

  1. Scrape with a dull knife to remove excess paint.
  2. Rinse fabric in warm water.
  3. Pretreat with liquid detergent allowing the fabric to stand at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 4 hours.
  4. Wash in liquid detergent and the hottest water safe for the fabric.
  5. Air dry and repeat steps 1 through 5, if necessary.

Dried-on oil-based paint and varnish:

  1. Pretreat clothes as directed on the paint container.  If the container isn't available or instructions are not specified, use a specialty stain remover product designed to remove these types of paint stains.  Read the label closely and follow all manufacturers' instructions.
  2. Wash in warm water with detergent and check the stain. 
  3. If stain persists, rub stain with a pure bar soap such as Ivory.
  4. Rinse.
  5. Wash in warm water with detergent.
  6. You can dry the garment once the stain is gone.

** As with all laundry tips, be sure to read the label on each piece of clothing for manufacturer's instructions.  If the label cautions against any of these instructions, do not proceed and use another method.

If you still aren't able to get it out, bring it to 5 Mile Wash & Dry.  Our professional stain fighters can give it a try.

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