Art and Creativity

Art is important for children especially during their early development. Research shows that art activities develop brain capacity in early childhood; in other words, art is good brain food! Art engages children’s senses in open-ended play and develops cognitive, social-emotional and multi-sensory skills. As children progress into elementary school and beyond, art continues to provide opportunities for brain development, mastery, self esteem and creativity.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

ART SHARE - How do YOU get paint out of clothing?

One of the questions I most often get about paint is, "Is it washable?"

How do you get paint out of clothing?Parents often get annoyed when children come home with paint on their clothes, so teachers have to concern themselves with this. Sometimes the most beautiful paints are "mostly washable" but not completely. And even with "washable" paints, the reds and other colors don’t always come out completely. I find that Zout brand laundry stain remover works best in getting out paint stains.

What are YOUR tricks for getting paint out of clothes? Please share your comments.

40 Comments:

At 12:36 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like to use Zout too! Love the blog, by the way.

 
At 3:56 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Having been in Childcare for over 30 years, I found a mix of:
1 part water, 1 part amonia, 1 part regular dishsoap, mixed together, and sprayed onto stains,will remove just about any thing. JUST BE CAREFUL not to breathe the fumes from the ammonia.
Note: most purple paints will not come out completely, something in the dye.

 
At 3:59 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

We have a product here in Canada called Hertel. It's advertized as a surface cleaner, but sprayed right into the fabric before washing, it'll even remove purple.Also good for baby formula, blood, and friut stains ( Of course, once something has been through the dryer, the stain becomes permanent) Jan

 
At 3:20 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Having only 32 years of motherhood (including more than 25 years as a Girl Scout), I guess I have a different view of this kind of "mess."

We have always worn paint clothes for activities that might trash them. That includes gardening, building, glueing and so forth.

In completing my degree in Art two years ago, I followed the same rule. If I wore it to the studio, it had to be able to be sacrificed.

I patched patches on my jeans when I was sculpting. It was no more than I asked of the girls as they grew up.

We all changed clothes when necessary. Sometimes, that meant before going to classes in the rest of the university. Play clothes for playing, school clothes for school (with old shirts sprayed with Scothguard for projects), Sunday clothes for church.

And, sometimes, paying the price for irresponsibility by having to wear damaged attire that didn't come clean with regular attention.

This did not stifle our girls' creativity. One has a master's in Math and is a weaver, one has a master's in Divinity and is an internet marketer, and one has a brand new BFA and works in graphics.

It seems to me that, after proper precautions, parents should be educated on expectations more than cleaning techniques.

My sister and I are blogging about infants and toddler questions on AuntyB and Grandmama. Hopefully, we'll be helping parents along with expectations before those children get to the age where you're dealing with them.

Sarah Hester

 
At 9:21 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sarah,
Wow, you're definitely passionate about this outlet for creativity. I think that enthusiasm has impaired your ability to consider all of other people's situations. We're not just talking here about a certain age group or learning environment. My son goes to preschool three days/week for three hours. I am not there w/ him, and his teachers are not, and should not be expected to change our children's clothing each time they engage in an art project. Unfortuanately, I can't afford to have a separate arsenal of clothing that is just meant for destruction, and frankly am not interested in sending him out three days/week in ruined clothing. Thanks for your input. The other postings on this topic have proven to be quite helpful regarding the original request for help.
Blessed mother of two.

 
At 5:16 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for the blog. It is useful read what others have done to remove stains. My 4 year old goes to all day daycare and I love sewing cute sweatshirts etc for her and DO NOT believe that stains should be allowed to happen without taking basic sensible precautions such as...1.)Children can be smocked and 2.)the staining paints/colors and be thrown out. When my daughter came home from school today with her absolutely adorable homemade top covered in paints I WAS FURIOUS with the schools lack of professionalism and attention. The shirt was so stained that they had taken it off her. I really hope I can salvage the shirt.

 
At 3:38 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Many preschools have aprons for art projects. When my girls were in preschool/daycare, we were asked to send oversized shirts for those. I "scotchgarded" those to make them easier to clean.

You have every right to expect for there to be adequate supervision in a preschool situation. If your child is being harmed, there is a problem. If their clothes were torn off by another child, there is a problem. If paint is on a garment from another child's actions, there is a problem.

Paint on a garment from activity is part of what they do, if not protected. Proaction, in this case, by asking for aprons or smocks to be used is indicated.

It is common for daycares and preschools to return children to their caregivers with clean faces, clean hands and clean clothes (which you send with them in expectation of such activities) so that the child is ready for the rest of the day.

If they are not returned to you cleaned up, I would then question the supervision and sanitation at the facility.

Suiting clothing to activity is still the best choice with the adorable outfits left for occasions where the children are on display, not at play, for example, church or family excursions out.

If you want to send children to participate in educational, creative activities in clothing in which you've invested yourself, make sure that those clothes are protected and/or expendable.

A painted t-shirt that's been "scotchgarded" will weather the usual activities better than a blouse with a lot of needlework.

Do you think I don't know that kids are kids? Even three sets of adults eyes on groups of ten are sometimes not enough. (Our Daisy/Brownie troops were limited to ten with three leaders.)

Now, my husband is another story. And I use the new Spray and Wash Stick with Resolve to try and salvage his clothing that he wears for inappropriate activities. Sigh.

 
At 7:25 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I logged on to get advise on REMOVING "washable" paint stains from my daughter's clothing. I understand that precautions can be taken to prevent the stain in the first place and I have done that in the past when I had previous knowledge that my girls would be painting or using markers; however, my husband is a minister and we were at visiting a church where He was preaching. I sent my daughter to Sunday School in an adorable dress with matching sweater, socks, hairbow etc....I was not expecting a painting from my 4 year old but I got it and a beautiful dress covered in brown "washable" paint. I was told by the teacher that it was washable and would come right out to which I said thank you (knowing that if it did it would be a miracle from above) I have 3 girls the oldest 12 and have had similar instances of ruined church clothes, sending my daughters to Sunday School and seeing them with their dresses covered in paint and the infamous "washable" marker!!! Without sounding harsh, it is hard for me to go to all the teachers that teach my girls in Sunday School and say "under no circumstances, are my children to use markers or paint!! So my solution HAS to be, get the paint out! I have had a little success with bleach pens on whites but this dress is dark blue with brown paint! I'm not willing to throw it out but I'm also not willing to let her wear it anywhere! I need a solution that will not bleach the dark blue color (that would look worse than the brown paint) Any advise is appreciated and any solution valued! Hey, I'm not ruling out that Miracle either!!

 
At 9:05 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

i want to get paint out of my jeans not listen to a lecture about how im irresponsible because i worn good jeans to paint. your a grandma so you obviuosly don't remember what being young and carefree is like. just give me solutions not ways to prevent what has already happened!

 
At 11:19 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If your child or children get permenet paint on their clothes or even them self use gasolin to get it off of their hand to get it of their clothes wash their clothes two times using Bounty washing diturgent

 
At 11:42 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Use Gasoline on their hands????? Are you out of your mind!!!! I wouldn't put gasonline on my child's hands

 
At 6:05 AM, Anonymous young artist said...

gasoline does get paint off skin, i`ve tried that and it causes no harm. i`ve also heard that when clothes get a paint stain , it should be rubbed immediatly with gasoline, not water, gasoline!
Now, after i`ve had branded clothes stained and unfortunatly...dried! i`ve decided to wear them beneath something, allowing only the colar or sleeves to appear, just covering the stain!

 
At 6:48 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

why cant you just say it simply..... zout, gasoline, or the amonia water and dishsoap mixed together. i came on here to find out how to get a stain OUT not how to prevent one from getting on me. i am a preschool teacher smock or not smock there are not enough smocks in the world that could cover the pants i HAVE to wear every day as a uniform that fortuantatly for me are attracting paint from every angle!!

 
At 1:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

where can i found Zout i have looked everywhere and love your blog

 
At 7:24 AM, Anonymous Susan Truett said...

Amused and enlightened by the debate here! What strikes me is that many people see their clothing as a means of expression,as well as an investment.

Others value more the opportunity to express themselves through paint, clay, gardening, etc.

I found this as I am about to facilitate art for a group of kids at church. I wonder if people really think we could paint without getting it on ourselves? But I get that people also are not tuned in to the activity schedule within the kid's hour.
I solemnly promise to have them wear the cut t-shirt smocks, to try to use soap and water on paint that does get on clothes, and to pass on the 'getting stains out' tips that appeared here. Perhaps I should also make an announcement about painting so parents can opt to have kids play on the playground instead of paint? Thanks for the discussion and the opportunity to understand each point of view.

 
At 2:05 PM, Anonymous stephanie said...

Im amazed at peoples negative attitude to being prepared for messy subjects - of course you must take responsibility for your childs clothes - dont put them in 'best' outfits and allow them to be young adn carefree - its only paint - you are young for so short a time - go enjoy...

 
At 9:17 AM, Blogger Momof4Boys said...

Having only 27 years as a mother (not 32 like Grandmama Sarah), I guess I wasn't prepared enough for my HUSBAND to brush up against some wet paint at a house we were preparing for rental. (WE weren't painting). That's why I came on here, and I haven't really gotten anything useful from the "helpful" tips on how to prevent the stain in the first place!
I will try the water/ammonia/dishsoap idea - thanks Iam

 
At 1:55 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who on earth sends their children to nursery in best clothes? they are children. If you want something to dress up and look pretty all day then buy a doll. Let children enjoy being children.

 
At 7:18 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

There's a paint called Total Wash by FAS, search utube. It washes out of all clothing by soaking in water. Brilliant!!
Shelly

 
At 12:40 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My Granddaughter isn't sent to nursery in her best clothes as they have to wear uniform....a bit of paint staining is fine but when she comes home looking like she's tried to change the colour of her school jumper...and apparently the staff are not allowed to ENFORCE aprons as it interferes with the childs flow of play/imagination etc...the question remains.. 'how do you get the paint out'

 
At 3:39 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't know what kind of paint my daughter uses in her Kindergarten class, nor do I know what kind of paint she uses in her after-care program where she goes after kindergarten finishes at 2:20. I don't know which days are "painting days" in each class and I highly doubt if her teachers plan that far ahead so that they could hand out a pinting shcedule so we could dress out kids in their "play" clothes. After 8 months of SK, every single item of my daughters wardrobe now has paint on it - she insists they have smocks but honestly, I am pissed.

 
At 11:12 AM, Anonymous Therese's mom said...

I just got purple washable paint out of my daughter's shirt that she got it on today. I used plain liquid soap and ran it under warm water. I came out cleanly.

 
At 3:51 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

My daughter has to wear uniform to school, she came home yesterday with paint on her new summer school dress, I have used my good old faithful WD40 with a bit of spray stain remover and its done a good job. Hope it will work for others too, good luck x

 
At 8:55 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

WD40 didn't work. Just tried it:(

 
At 2:47 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

I have a blue paint stain on a pink jacket (PeppaPig). I have sprayed it with Sard and washed it but still fully stained. I will try some of the tips mentioned but I think they are US products and we are in Australia. Any bloggers here?

 
At 11:38 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I got paint stain on my uniform and we don't have anything what the others said I'm in INDIA.:(

 
At 11:28 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I use Shout stain remover. I put it on and then scrub the stain out by hand (scrubbing stain on clothes between knuckles of my hands). I was able to get ink from a pen that made it into the washer that way also. Just putting the remover on and throwing it into the washer will not work.

 
At 3:36 PM, Anonymous Nanny said...

Hairspray works for ball-point ink and felt pen but haven't had success with paint!

 
At 8:10 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I used totally awesome spray and wash (dollar tree brand), dawn dish washer detergent and a tooth brush. took some scrubbing but it all came out. We have paint shirts for the kids, but some times accidents happen.

 
At 2:58 AM, Anonymous tanika said...

bio zet attack and a scrubbing brush just got out 3 day old purple paint out of my sons new jeans

 
At 7:02 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds like your bragging about your girls achievements. All we wanted is some idea to get these paint out. My 6 year old came home with paint in her white uniform and it cost $15 should I let her go to school looking like she woke up every morning doing paint job? Lady its good you are this or were the mother and girl scout of the century. But you do realise these kids have to continue wear mandatory uniform and regular clothes everyday to school. As parents we should just shut up and throw these clothes away and buy more, woman please!!

 
At 9:21 AM, Blogger michelle said...

Wow, lady, settle down. No one asked about your kids. The question asked how to get paint off of clothing. Even tho you are so awesome that that would never happen at your house, it does happen. If you don't have an answer to the question, move on and don't reply.

 
At 3:34 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's great! Usually I wait until the end of the week, but I will now be doing this on a daily basis.

 
At 6:21 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow. Anything can cause a debate these days.

I'm not really certain that your feeling that your children are doing well in life as adults is due to the fact that you had them put play clothes on for play. It seems that is a stretch.

My elementary student has to wear a uniform to school. It also is expected to be stain-free per school rules. However, she got paint on her school uniform -- at school. Should they wear smocks? Yes. I think that would be ideal. However, that didn't seem to happen and I can accept that I have no control over that.

Seems that my childs 'consequences' will be to learn how to remove her 'art work' from her clothing. Unfortunately - that means mom must apparently learn how first. My first attempts have not worked. I have arrived here looking for advice. Thanks to those who posted and gave me ideas to first break down the plastic barrier to then wash the 'washable' paints out.

 
At 11:23 PM, Blogger Damoms said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At 12:09 PM, Anonymous Julie said...

Yikes hope you don't talk to your children the way you just talked to this lady who is just giving her opinion��

 
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