How to Clean Paint From Polar Fleece
No matter how careful or professional you are when painting, it's inevitable: you're going to get paint on something you didn't intend to. If you get paint on a favorite polar fleece sweatshirt or blanket, chances are you can clean it off even after it has dried using materials you have in your house already.
If not, there are some products available that can remove dried paint from fabric quite well.
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Identify the type of paint. Water-based products won't remove alkyd (oil-based) paint, and mineral spirits will have no effect on latex (water-based) paint.
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Saturate the paint stain with mineral spirits if it's wet alkyd paint. Using a clean cloth, blot the polar fleece, re-wetting as necessary and turning the cloth, until the paint is absorbed. Then wash the fleece in cold water and detergent.
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Rinse the fleece in water if the paint is water-based and still wet. Hold the painted area under running water, if possible, turning and squeezing until the water is clear. If you can't do this, saturate the paint with water, then blot and re-wet until the paint stain is gone.
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Try very hot water on dried paint. This can work if the dried paint is still fresh because it will soften fresh paint. Either soak the fleece in hot water, then blot and rub it until the stain is gone, or saturate the stain with hot water, then set a towel soaked in hot water over it.
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Pour rubbing alcohol over the paint stain, blotting it with a rag until the paint is removed. Rubbing alcohol also softens dried paint.
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Scrub the paint gently with a soft brush (even a toothbrush will do) if it's penetrated the fibers to the back of the fleece. While the paint spot is saturated with your cleaning agent, comb through the fleece fibers to remove the small shreds of loosened paint.
Things You Will Need
- Hot water
- Laundry detergent
- Mineral spirits
- Clean rags
- Rubbing alcohol
- Solvent paint remover
- Soft brush
Tip
Act fast when you get paint on something--it's always easier to clean it off while it's still wet. If all else fails, buy some solvent paint remover formulated for removing dried paint and glue from fabric from a paint or hardware store.
Warning
Dried alkyd paint will be impossible to remove from fleece or any fabric. If it's on the surface of the pile, you may be able to snip it off with small, sharp scissors. Depending on the size of the spot, it may not be as visible as a dried spot of paint.
References
Writer Bio
Stevie Donald has been an online writer since 2004, producing articles for numerous websites and magazines. Her writing chops include three books on dog care and training, one of which won a prestigious national award in 2003. Donald has also been a painting contractor since 1979, painting interiors and exteriors.
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