How to Get Paint Out of Clothes: Tempera vs Acrylic Paint

Paint and children go together. Sooner or later, some of that paint is going to end up on a sleeve, a school shirt or a pair of trousers.

The good news is that the type of paint makes a big difference.

Some paints are made to be washable, while others are designed to be permanent. Knowing which paint you are using makes it much easier to know what to do when paint finds its way onto clothing.

Here is our simple guide to getting paint out of clothes, starting with one of the most common questions parents and teachers ask.

How to Get Tempera Paint Out of Clothes

Star Tempera Paint is a water-soluble, washable children's paint, making it a great choice for school, home and general children's art activities.

It is designed to wash out of up to 98% of fabrics. However, different fabrics can behave differently, and very strong colours can sometimes leave a little colour behind.

So, what should you do if paint gets onto a child's clothing?

1. Deal with it as soon as you can

If possible, don't leave the painted clothing sitting in the laundry basket for several days.

The sooner you start cleaning the paint, the better.

If there is a lot of wet paint on the fabric, gently remove the excess first. Try not to rub it further into the fabric.

2. Soak the clothing

Place the garment in water with a little laundry detergent and allow it to soak.

This gives the detergent time to loosen the paint and colour from the fabric.

3. Gently work the area

After soaking, gently rub the affected area between your fingers or hands.

For a stubborn mark, you can soak the garment again rather than immediately reaching for stronger cleaning products.

4. Wash as normal

Wash the garment according to the care instructions on the label.

If a faint shadow of colour remains, another soak or a suitable stain remover may help.

Always follow the instructions on the stain-removal product and check that it is suitable for the fabric.

5. Check before drying

Before putting the garment in a dryer, have a look at the painted area.

If there is still some colour visible, repeat the soaking and washing process first.

Does Tempera Paint Wash Out of Clothes?

Star Tempera is designed to be washable and to wash out of most fabrics.

However, no paint can guarantee that every trace will disappear from every fabric under every washing condition.

The type of fabric, the colour of the paint and how long the paint has been on the clothing can all make a difference.

For children's painting, an old T-shirt or art smock is still a very good idea. It means children can concentrate on creating rather than worrying about getting paint on their clothes.

How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Clothes

Acrylic paint is different from tempera.

NZACRYL Acrylic Paint is designed to be permanent and water-resistant.

That's exactly what you want when you're creating artwork that needs to last.

NZACRYL is suitable for a range of art surfaces including canvas, wood, plaster, primed hardboard, paper and cardboard.

Because acrylic paint is permanent, it is important to deal with it **while it is still wet** if it gets onto clothing.

If acrylic paint gets on clothing:

Act quickly.

Remove as much wet paint as possible without spreading it further. Clean the area while the paint is still wet and follow the care instructions for the garment.

Once acrylic paint dries, it becomes much more difficult to remove because the paint has formed a permanent, water-resistant film.

Does Acrylic Paint Wash Out of Clothes?

Acrylic paint is not designed to wash out of clothing once it has dried.

This is one of the important differences between washable tempera and permanent acrylic paint.

If you're using acrylic paint with children, we recommend an art smock, apron or old clothing.

It's a small thing, but it saves a lot of frustration later.

The Best Paint for the Job

The easiest way to avoid unwanted paint marks on clothing is to choose the paint for the activity.

Star Tempera Paint is a great choice when you want a washable children's paint for school, home and creative activities.

NZACRYL Acrylic Paint is the choice when you want a permanent, water-resistant paint for artwork and projects that are designed to last.

And whichever paint you're using, an old T-shirt is always a good friend to have around the art table!

A final tip for parents and teachers

Children getting paint on their clothes is part of making art.

Give them something they can paint in, let them experiment, and don't worry too much about the occasional colourful sleeve.

After all, paint belongs on the artwork, but sometimes it gets on the artist too.