Cleaning Paintball Paint Out of Clothing

At one point or another, playing paintball almost always requires special clothing to keep the paint off. To fully understand how to clean the paint out of clothes, we must first consider the makeup and material of the paint itself. Then, we'll delve into the different techniques for dealing with this mess.

What is Paintball Paint?

Paintball paint, made of a petroleum oil-based, food-grade paint, is composed of ingredients like water, glycerin, metallic salts, dyes, and propylene glycol. It is a water soluble solution that is relatively safe to play with and, if ingested, generally non-toxic. However, certain components of paint can be cruel to clothes, as they can easily be left behind. It's best to get them out of clothing as soon as possible to ensure longevity.

What Materials Should You Avoid?

Though difficult, it is possible to clean paintball paint from clothing. That being said, some garments are not fit for such attempts and should rather simply be thrown out to avoid ruining them.

• Silk
• Rayon
• Tencel
• acetate
• Ramie
• Cupro

These textiles will often dissolve when exposed to certain cleaning products and can become even more damaged in the process. Whenever the possibility for damage arises, it is best to not attempt to clean the clothing item and simply discard of it.

How to Remove Paintball Paint from Clothes?

Treat the Stained Area

Before attempting any cleaning method, it's best to first treat the stained area itself. Scrape away any dried paint and once you notice that all of it is removed, apply a pre-treatment stain remover to the area. Caitlyn Paslawsky, a fashion blogger, recommends Wet & Gone or Shout stain removers for the best results.

What About Fragile Fabrics?

When the clothing item is made from a more delicate material, warm water and mild detergent mixed together can help remove the paintball paint. Lingerie, especially if made from a pure fiber potion, possess less strength in terms of cleaning. Therefore, it is important to use a special care detergent for these items. Put the clothing item into a shallow bowl of warm water that has been mixed with either a detergent or a spot cleaner, then leave it for a few minutes. Afterwards, lightly massage the stained area and give the item a light rinse.

Special Cleaners

For a more agreeable cleaning option, specialized cleaners are available. Most will require hand cleaning or a washing machine. One of the most popular cleaners is Technix Paint Remover, which is said to not damage the fabric or the colors of the clothing item, but rather completely lift the paintball paint off. Another great cleaning product option is Crazee WashGo Paint Remover, which claims to remove paintball paint and other stains from clothing without damaging the fabric.

Conclusion

No one likes getting paintball paint on their clothing, but with the right care and cleaning methods, a stained clothing item can readily be revived. To prevent damage or discoloration, avoid washing delicate fabric with anything too strong. Make sure to scrape off all of the dried paint from the area before attempting any type of cleaning, and if all else fails, a specialized cleaner may be worthwhile.

Takeaways

• Paintball paint is composed of water, glycerin, dyes, propylene glycol, and metallic salts.
• Avoid cleaning silk, rayon, tencel, acetate, ramie, and cupro fabric items with harsh cleansers.
• Scrape away any dried paint before applying pre-treatment stain remover.
• Specialized cleaners may be helpful in extreme cases.