Acrylic paint is one of the most popular types of paint because of its ease of use and impact on the canvas. Oil painting can provide some drama but, take so long to dry that you can’t work maybe as quickly as you’d like. Watercolour is simple but lacks intensity. Acrylic is perfect because of the depth of color and drying time. However, this can lead to the risk of acrylic paint drying on our clothes. So, does acrylic paint wash off and what else should we keep in mind when using this material?
Does acrylic paint wash off?
Washing clothes with acrylic paint on can be a problem but, it isn’t impossible. The simple answer here is that it all depends on the status of the paint. Acrylic paint that is still wet can come off of your clothes if treated quickly enough. Acrylic paint that has dried is a bigger problem and could end up being permanent. Some people that work with acrylic often do say that they have success with some methods. But, don’t expect anything.
Washing wet acrylic paint off of clothes.
You should be fine washing acrylic paint off of clothes if you deal with them fast enough. Put the item straight in the washing machine at a cool temperature to stop any further damage. You can use your normal detergent. Or, you might prefer to hand wash the item and spot-wash the affected area with cold water and detergent. You can pay more attention to the process this way.
Washing dry acrylic paint off of clothes.
This is where things become a bit more difficult. A dry plastic paint spot won’t wash off in a normal wash. Some people say that you can get gradual results with fabric softener, but there may be some residual staining. Others suggest using a more active solution on the paint to try and break it down and make it easier to take off in a wash. Nail varnish remover is an accessible option that could work well while others use rubbing alcohol. It is all about getting the solid paint back to a liquid state.
Washing acrylic paint off of floors or wooden furniture.
For the most part, you should find that you can wash the paint off of furniture and flooring with the right cleaning products. It is easier if the paint is wet although, dry paint may peel from some hard surfaces. A bigger risk here is that some pigments have the potential to stain. Leave a vermillion pigment on a faux wood laminate desktop and you may not get it out completely.
Washing acrylic paint off of our skin.
Thankfully, there isn’t anything wrong with getting some paint on our skin. It will wash off no matter its state. Paint that is still wet will dilute with the water and wash off with ease. Dried paint may take a little more scrubbing. It may even peel off fairly easily. Either way, some warm water, and basic soap will be fine. Just consider warning people if you start washing your hands in the sink with wet red paint on them. The intense color can be unsettling.
What can we do to reduce the risk of getting acrylic paint on our clothes, furniture, or floors?
Of course, prevention is always better than the cure. The more steps we take to limit the damage and need for cleaning, the better. The first step is to consider where we paint. You might want to put some paper down on the floor beneath an easel or under your acrylic pad on your table. Then there is your outfit. Don’t wear anything that you would upset to see ruined by paint, just in case. Consider setting aside an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt for painting. Another option is acrylic paint pens because they decrease the mess while, still enjoy the benefits of acrylic paint.
Is acrylic paint still worth using?
You might look at some of these warnings and think that it is a bad idea to use acrylic paint instead of something with a slower drying time or different pigments. However, we shouldn’t let the risk of permanent paint marks stop us from getting creative with this brilliant material. As long as we take all the necessary precautions to stop this from getting in the wrong places, we should be fine.