How to Remove Paint Stains from Clothes

Paint is one of the most panic-inducing stains because it sets fast and most people reach for the wrong tool — white spirit on a child's t-shirt, hot water on dried emulsion — and lock the mark in for good. The right approach depends on the type: emulsion (water-based household paint) and acrylic both still lift cleanly while wet, watercolour and poster paint lift easily even when dry, and oil-based gloss needs a solvent pre-step before Luniva can finish the job. This guide walks through each paint type, fresh splashes, dried marks and craft-class accidents.

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Why dried paint locks into fabric fibres

Paint is pigment suspended in a binder. While wet, the binder is soft and the pigment lifts out with the right enzyme + surfactant combination. Once the binder dries, it forms a plastic film that physically wraps around the fabric fibres — that's why dried paint feels stiff, and why scrubbing alone never works. The fix is to soften the binder first (warm water + dwell time), then let Luniva's enzymes and surfactants lift the pigment.

How to use Luniva on paint stains

Step 1 — Scrape off excess paint: While the paint is wet, blot up the worst with a paper towel — don't rub. If it's dried, gently scrape the surface flake off with the back of a spoon.
Step 2 — Spray Luniva and wait: Saturate the stain with Luniva. For fresh emulsion or acrylic, wait 1–3 minutes. For dried paint, soak the area in warm water first, then re-spray Luniva and wait another 1–3 minutes.
Step 3 — Wash as normal, following the garment care label: Machine-wash as normal and air-dry. Inspect before tumble-drying — heat sets any remaining pigment permanently.

Compliance note: Based on controlled laboratory testing. Performance may vary by stain age, fabric type and wash conditions.

Frequently asked questions

How do I remove emulsion (wall) paint from clothes?

Blot up the wet paint with a paper towel, spray Luniva on the stain, wait 1–3 minutes, then wash as normal, following the garment care label. For dried emulsion, soak the area in warm water for 10 minutes first to soften the binder, re-spray Luniva, then wash.

Will Luniva remove dried acrylic paint?

Yes — but soften it first. Soak the stained area in warm water for 10 minutes to break the plastic film, then spray Luniva, wait 1–3 minutes, and wash as normal, following the garment care label. For thick dried acrylic, repeat twice and never tumble-dry between passes.

Can I use Luniva on watercolour and kids' craft paint?

Yes — these are the easiest. Spray Luniva directly on the stain (wet or dry), wait 1–3 minutes, then wash as normal, following the garment care label. Almost always lifts in one pass.

Does Luniva remove oil-based gloss paint?

Partially — oil-based paint needs a solvent pre-step. Dab the wet stain with a cotton bud of white spirit to break the oil, rinse the area in cold water, then spray Luniva and wash as normal, following the garment care label. Do not use white spirit on nylon, polyester or other synthetics.

Is Luniva safe on coloured clothes with paint marks?

Yes. Luniva is colour-safe and bleach-free, so it targets the paint pigment without affecting the fabric dye. Wash as normal, following the garment care label — never hotter, as heat can set any remaining paint binder.