Did you get some chalk paint on your fabric while working? Having some chalk paint on one’s fabric can be unpleasant. That’s because it creates stains on the cloth. The worst part is that chalk paint is one of those problematic paint types to remove from fabrics.
You can remove chalk paint from your fabric by applying vinegar, acetone, rubbing alcohol, paint stripper, or baking soda.
Some additional tips will help remove chalk paint from your fabric easily, which I will share in this article.
What Makes Chalk Paint Differ from Other Paint Types
Chalk paint differs from other paint types in many ways. Its matte finish is one factor that explains its difference from other paint types.
It has its benefits too. Chalk paint does not require prep work, unlike some other paint types. It can paint right over most clean, dry surfaces, regardless of whether they are already painted.
Most handypersons love using this paint type on vintage pieces with cracks or many details because it goes smoothly, even over paint layers. In addition, chalk paint is less likely to drip than regular paint.
Does Chalk Paint Stain Clothes, and Is it Easy to Remove Chalk Paint from Fabric
Chalk paint spreads to anything it touches, creating stains on upholstery, carpets, and fabrics. It is best to eradicate chalk paint stains before placing your washed clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat can make chalk paint stains worsen.
It depends on the quantity of the chalk paint and your definition of easy. What seems easy to someone might not seem easy to you. However, chalk paint is easy to remove; so far, you follow the steps. These are different ways of removing chalk paint from fabric; I will explain them in the next section.
Methods of Removing Chalk Paint
1) Use of Vinegar
You can remove chalk paint from the fabric using vinegar.
- Pour some vinegar on the paint stain.
- Leave it for some minutes or until you are sure the vinegar has soaked on the paint stain
- Rinse the vinegar off and put the cloth in the laundry to wash or wash it immediately
2) Use of Baking Soda
Like vinegar, you can use baking soda to remove chalk paint from your clothes. To use baking soda,
- Get some water and pour in some baking soda
- Boil the mixture
- Pour the boiled mixture into a big bowl
- Soak your stained fabric in the mixture for a couple of minutes
3) Alcohol use
- Place the fabric cloth on a clean white towel
- Get another clean white towel and dip it into rubbing alcohol
- Blot the stain on the fabric using the white towel dipped in rubbing alcohol
- Blot till no more color comes off
- Rinse the cloth thoroughly
Note: Rubbing alcohol can remove paint stains from clothing. Before using, always test a tiny spot of rubbing alcohol on an interior clothing seam to ensure that the item is colorfast.
The table below shows some necessary steps after removing chalk paint from your fabrics. The steps are arranged accordingly.
| STEPS TO FOLLOW AFTER REMOVING STAINS | WHAT TO DO |
| Preheating | If you notice some little stains left, apply liquid laundry detergent, a bit of dishwashing liquid, or stain remover directly to the affected area. You can use a gel or liquid stain remover to penetrate the chalk stain thoroughly. Leave it for at least 15 minutes before washing the clothing. |
| Washing | After carrying out the preheating process, you can proceed to wash your material at the hottest temperature the fabric permits or according to the care label instructions |
| Air-Drying | After carrying out the preheating process, you can proceed to wash your material at the hottest temperature the fabric permits or according to the care label instructions. |
Note: When washing, it is essential to take note of the hottest temperature the fabric allows. This is because some materials cannot tolerate too high temperatures; thus, washing them in too high temperatures can damage the fabric or affect its quality. You can check the fabric’s care label for instructions.
Other Ways of Removing Chalk Paint from Fabrics
You can remove chalk paint from your fabrics by following the steps below.
1) Vacuuming up Loose Chalk
- First, vacuum up loose chalk using the brush attachment on a regular vacuum cleaner or a hand-held vacuum.
- Afterward, pick up as much of the loose chalk as possible.
2) Blotting with Dishwashing Liquid
To blot,
- Mix two cups of cold water and a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid
- Get a sponge or clean cloth, and use it to saturate the stain with the solution
- Blot with a dry cloth until the liquid gets absorbed
- Repeat as needed to lift the chalk paint stain
- If you see any hint of chalk stain, try using a dry-cleaning solvent on the area.
- Follow the instructions on the product label.
3) Blotting & Drying
- Blot the affected area again using cold water
- Once you are done blotting, please leave it to dry
If the chalk paint stain remains on your fabric after several attempts to remove it, then it’s best to take it to a professional dry cleaner.
Best Ways to Remove Chalk Paint from Fabrics
All I explained above are ideal ways of removing chalk paint from your fabric, but I will give you another tip in this section, similar to the ones above. You can remove chalk paint from your cloth using a paint stripper or a homemade remover.
Paint Stripper
I won’t be surprised if this material is the first thing that comes to mind when your cloth/fabric gets paint stains. Paint strippers, however, are chemically-based and dangerous. Therefore, apply caution when using it.
Before using a paint stripper, wearing long sleeves, gloves, and goggles is essential. It doesn’t matter if the remover is considered safe. Using safety equipment would help because you can’t be too safe. To use a paint stripper,
- Apply some quantity to the chalk paint
- Wait for 20 – 30 minutes. You will notice the paint bubbling after
- As the paint turns soft, get a putty knife or a wire scraper and scrape/brush it off
Homemade Remover
You can remove chalk paint stains using a homemade remover/solvent. Some of the homemade materials you can use are,
- Vinegar
- Acetone
- Washing soda
- Mineral spirits
- Soap
- Denatured alcohol
How to Remove Scuff Marks
You can remove chalk paint scuff marks from fabrics by,
- Sanding it off using a putty knife
- Applying a mild soapy water solution to the affected area
- Using a steel wool pad
- Using a dry cloth to wipe away the scrapings
- Repeat the process if necessary
If the chalk paint is still soft and creased, you can remove it by scraping it with a scraper or putty knife. When removing the paint stain, do so gently without too much pressure.
For stubborn paint, you can use a scrubber pad. You dip the scrubber pad into the soapy water and use it on the stains. Afterward, wash the fabric thoroughly with soapy water. You can repeat the process many times until the scuff marks become invisible.
If you have rubbing alcohol at home, that is also a good option.
- Apply the solution to the affected area. You can also apply it on a clean white cloth/towel.
- Using the alcohol-soaked cloth/towel, blot the affected area
- Repeat the process until there are no more stains or until the chalk paint comes off
- Rinse the cloth/fabric. You can also wash it immediately
Can Chalk Paint Wash Out of Clothes
You may be wondering if fabric paint washes off. Yes, you can wash fabric chalk paint off clothes but use specific materials/solutions on the stains before washing them. An example of a solution to use is rubbing alcohol.
Once you use a stain-removing solution, wash the fabric in hot water with laundry detergent. You can also rinse Clorox 2 or OxiClean powder in warm water. Repeat the process until the stain is removed.
If your chalk paint is water-soluble, you do not need to worry. Water-soluble or latex paints are easier to wash off than water-insoluble paints.
However, if the fabric paint has been heat-set with an iron or other appliances, it would be challenging to wash the colors off.
Can You Use Chalk Paint on Fabric & How to Remove Fabric Paint from Fabric
Yes, you can use chalk paint on fabric, which allows you to transform the fabric’s look with paint. This method is a perfect way of adding a pattern, stripes, or small areas of color. Since you are using chalk paint as a fabric dye, diluting the paint with water is essential to create a wash.
You can use acetone to remove oil paints, latex-based paints, or uncured paints. If you are using acetone,
- Soak a clean cloth piece or sponge in some acetone
- Rub the stain using the damp cloth piece. The paint molecules break down, and the stain disappears
- Rinse the fabric with water. You can also wash it immediately using laundry detergent and water.
Fabric Types to Use Chalk Paint on & Is Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint Good for Fabric
Chalk Paint is incredibly versatile. You can paint metal, wood, glass, concrete, and fabric. You can use it to update dated material that is in good shape. The first step in painting fabric is the fabric piece selection.
When painting fabrics using chalk paint, it is best to use fabrics that do not have deep texture. One material you may not consider using is velvet. This is because velvet has a nap and can be tricky. Although it can be pretty cool, getting paint off can be challenging as it gets a little stiff with paint.
When selecting fabrics, it is best to work on cotton blends, silks, or linens. One tip you should know is that if your fabric has a textured pattern, you will still see it after painting it. Also, the results will be beautiful. If the design is more printed cotton, the paint covers it.
Once you have selected your fabric piece, you can choose your paint color. I recommend using lighter colors that always give excellent results. However, if you prefer darker colors with more pigments, that’s also okay. However, if you are using a darker, more pigmented color, selecting a piece with a tighter cushion for the best results would be best.
You can use Rustoleum chalked paint on fabric. Rustoleum has a line of spray paint that is helpful for large pieces of upholstery.
You can apply Rustoleum chalk paint over many substances, such as old paint, including fabrics. Rustoleum chalk paint is so thick and will lie smooth and look nice. It’s unique chalky, thick nature makes it perfect for painting cloth.
How to Make a Fabric Soft after Painting
- First, mix acrylic paint with golden fabric medium while following the directions included with the medium.
- Apply the paint to the fabric
- Leave the fabric and paint to dry thoroughly
- Get a protective towel and place it over an ironing board. You can use another suitable surface.
- Turn the fabric over and iron from the backside. Doing so will help set the paint and soften it in one step.
If you would love to learn more about how to make your fabric soft after painting, perhaps you are interested in painting your cloth; I’m sure the video below will help.
Conclusion
You can remove chalk paint from your fabric using vinegar, acetone.