Painting work at home, DIY sessions with the children… A clumsy brushstroke and a stain quickly arrives. On our clothes, our floor or even our carpet…To clean it, the best is to act quickly. Did you know that baking soda is a useful way to achieve this without much effort. We give you the method to follow.
Why use baking soda to clean paint?
Baking soda in a jar
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Baking soda in a jar. Source: spm
Our grandmothers never stop extolling the merits of baking soda. It is a useful product at home, whether for cleaning, degreasing or stain removal. In addition to being a cheap product, this ecological product is effective in removing stains from water-based paints such as acrylic and oil paints, thanks to its abrasive effect which allows to remove residues of paint. painting on surfaces or textiles. Used in combination with warm water, it integrates more easily into fabrics and can help extract paint from fibers. However, you will need to add a liquid detergent like your usual laundry detergent at the end of cleaning to obtain better results.
How to remove paint stains from clothes with baking soda?
You have discovered the soul of an artist in you and you have decided to give free rein to your creativity to paint a beautiful picture. But your clothes won’t be spared from paint stains. The important thing is to act quickly and surround yourself with good products for greater efficiency. Thanks to baking soda, you will be able to remove items from your wardrobe that have paint stains and keep them in good condition. But, before you begin, take the time to gather all the elements you need:
Materials
A cup
A spoon or brush
Microfiber cloth
An old toothbrush
Bucket
Ingredients
Some water
Baking soda
Vinegar
Step 1: Remove excess paint
Scrape paint off jeans
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Scrape paint off jeans. Source: spm
Use a spoon to remove any paint that has settled on the surface of the fabric.
Using a clean cloth, dab the paint stain, avoiding spreading it further on the fabric.
If paint remains on the surface, lightly scrub the area with a soft brush.
Complete the operation by rinsing the fabric with cold water.
If the stain is dry, proceed directly to the next step.
Step 2: Pre-treat the paint stain
Put jeans in soapy water
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Place jeans in soapy water. Source: spm
Don’t hesitate to soak the item of clothing before applying your baking soda cleaning solution. This preliminary step is useful to obtain better results.
Fill the sink, bucket or basin with water.
Add a mild detergent and let the fabric sit in the solution for an hour.
You can also cover the stain with detergent for 5 minutes before putting it in the soapy water bath.
Step 3: Prepare the baking soda paste
Baking soda paste
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Baking soda paste. Source: spm
Ready to prepare your homemade stain remover solution? So, follow our instructions!
The first thing to do is prepare the baking soda paste.
Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water in a bowl.
Did you get the thick consistency of a paste? Apply this to the stain, using your fingers, an old toothbrush, a paintbrush or a clean cloth using the following method.
Step 3: Soak the cloth with baking soda
Soak a micro-fiber cloth in a bowl of baking soda paste
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Soak a micro-fiber cloth in a bowl of baking soda paste. Source: spm
Use a clean cloth or one of the aforementioned instruments to apply the paste to the fabric.
Wait about ten minutes so that the baking soda paste can become embedded in the fibers of the fabric.
Step 4: Rub the paint with the stain remover
Dab the cloth on the fabric
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Dab the cloth onto the fabric. Source: spm
All you have to do is carefully spread the baking soda with the cloth.
You can also rub the area with another soft, dry towel to remove any residual paint marks.
For information
Just like baking soda, rubbing alcohol, hairspray, nail polish remover are also used to remove paint stains from fabrics. Remember to apply them to an inconspicuous area of the fabric before using them as a stain remover.
Step 5: Spray and wipe the area with white vinegar
Spray the stain with vinegar
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Spray the stain with vinegar. Source: spm
After scrubbing with the baking soda, spray the stained area with white vinegar.
For guaranteed effectiveness, mix one cup of vinegar for four cups of hot water.
This product mixture will create a foam which will help you deeply disintegrate the fibers of the fabrics.
Using a soft, dry towel, rub the fabric again.
Then repeat the operation if necessary to remove residual traces of paint.
Step 6: Wash the fabric in the washing machine
Place the garment in the washing machine
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Place the garment in the washing machine. Source: spm
Did you manage to remove the paint stain from the fabric?
Complete the washing operation by placing your item of clothing to be cleaned in the washing machine.
Don’t forget to add your usual detergent when choosing a high temperature wash mode.
Refer to the washing label on the fabric to avoid damaging the fibers of your fabric.
Step 7: Dry the fabric
Jeans dry on a wooden board
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The jeans dry on a wooden board. Source: spm
The final step is to dry the fabric impacted by the paint stain.
If the latter persists, you will have to repeat the above method before putting the laundry in the dryer.
You can also let the item air dry.
And if you’re in a hurry, don’t hesitate to use a hairdryer.
How to remove specific paint stains from clothes?
As you will have understood, baking soda can be a good way to remove paint from clothing and textile fibers. But the essential tip for removing paint stains from fabrics is to act quickly. This is evidenced by the advice of Ryan McKenzie , co-founder of “Tru Earth”, a company specializing in ecological cleaning, interviewed by the site homesandgardens.com . According to the expert, whatever the nature of the paint stain, it must be cleaned quickly so that the mark does not become permanent.
How to remove water-based paint stains?
Baking soda is a convenient way to remove water-based paint from clothing. And that’s not all: the white powder is useful for neutralizing strong odors that linger on the fabric. If you decide to use this product, follow the above method to clean up paint splatter marks .
Coffee grounds: this ingredient produces the same effects as baking soda. Apply a similar dosage by mixing a tablespoon of coffee grounds with a few drops of water. Cover the stain completely with the product and leave for an hour before rinsing. The result is impeccable!
How to remove oil-based paint stains?
Cleaning clothes stained with oil-based paint generally takes longer than water-based paint. You will need to follow the same steps to scrape off the excess paint, blot the excess liquid with a cleaning cloth and rinse the stained area. For a thorough cleaning, McKenzie recommends using turpentine.
With a cloth soaked in this product, wet the area stained with oil paint.
Leave the product to act then rub again using a clean, damp cloth.
If stains persist, soak the garment overnight in a solution of water and dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent.
How to remove wall paint stains?
Generally, the wall paints used are water-based products. The good news is that water-based paint stains can be removed easily with a soapy water solution. And you won’t necessarily need to use additional products to tackle stubborn stains.
Laura Mountford, cleaning influencer and author of Live Laugh Laundry, describes her cleaning method like this:
Soak the stained item of clothing in a sink filled half with warm water and half with detergent.
Dab the stain using a cloth soaked in this soapy water.
Repeat the operation until the stain on the fabric completely disappears.
Of course, the suggested method is based on the use of ecological and environmentally friendly products.
How to remove embedded paint stains from carpet or upholstery?
Paintbrush on carpet with paint stain
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Brush on the carpet with paint stain. Source: spm
Upholstery and rugs are not always easy to handle whether hand or machine wash. The method used to remove paint stains on this type of material then depends on the type of paint and the nature of the stain (wet or dry).
Removing Water-Based Paint Stains From Carpet
Remove a stain from the carpet with a spoon
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Remove a stain from the carpet with a spoon. Source: spm
Fresh, wet paint on the carpet
The best possible cleaning scenario is to be able to remove the paint while it is still fresh. Here’s how to do it:
Remove excess paint that is still wet using a knife, spoon or an old credit card.
With a paper towel or damp white cloth, blot excess paint from the carpet.
Continue blotting until the stain disappears.
Dry the carpet using a clean towel or dry cloth.
Let it air dry.
Dried paint on the carpet
Dried paint on carpet
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Dried paint on carpet. Source: spm
If you were unable to react in time, remove the dried paint stain with soapy water. This tip is for water-based paints, not oil-based paints.
In a small bowl of hot water, add three drops of dishwashing liquid.
Dip a used toothbrush or soft-bristled brush into the soapy solution.
Gently rub the stained area then let the product sit for 5 minutes.
Once this time has elapsed, scrape the surface of the carpet to remove traces of paint.
Using a damp paper towel or cloth, dab the area to absorb the colored liquid.
If necessary, add more soap and scrub vigorously.
Does the stain persist on the carpet? Use a steam iron with the soleplate or nozzle away from the surface to be cleaned. The heat can indeed melt the paint embedded in the fibers.
If you have successfully removed the paint with heat, continue dabbing to remove stubborn marks.
Let the carpet air dry and vacuum to fluff up the fibers again.
Removing Oil Paint Stains from Carpet
As you will have understood, removing an oil paint stain can be a tedious task. Because, unlike water-based paint, it will require more time and energy.
Using a paperclip, separate the clean fibers from the paint-stained fibers.
Follow the usual steps for scraping and absorbing excess paint.
Treat the area with a solvent. Refer to the carpet label to find out which product to use. You have the choice of using mineral spirits, paint thinner, or turpentine.
Apply a small amount of product to a clean cloth before dabbing the area. Avoid rubbing.
Caution
Stain removers like alcohol, acetone, turpentine and other thinners can discolor your carpet. Test an inconspicuous area of the carpet before beginning stain removal.
Did you like our tips for removing paint stains? It’s your turn to apply them at home… Pay attention to the materials cleaned as well as the nature of the splashes.
FAQs
How to clean paint marks from a white wall?
Paint stains on the wall are not easy to remove since they dry quickly on the surface. Then test a vinegar-based solution:
Mix one part white vinegar with one part soapy water.
Apply the solution using a cloth directly to the wall.
Scrub as needed using an old toothbrush.
Repeat the operation if the stain persists on the wall.
Likewise, rubbing alcohol applied directly to the wall can have an immediate stain removal effect.
Can baking soda be used to remove paint from metal?
Baking soda is useful for removing water-based paints like acrylic, especially from metal surfaces like door handles and others. Follow the method above for a thorough cleaning.
Does baking soda work on wooden surfaces?
Baking soda can damage wooden surfaces. Using it as a cleaner or stain remover can indeed deteriorate this material. Instead, prefer a solution based on dishwashing liquid diluted in water.