How to Get Watercolor Stains Out

By Matt Oden | Comments | Paint and Polish Stains → Watercolors

Water colors seem to be every Childs choice to color with leaving the frustrated mom wondering how to get watercolor stains out of almost every surface and fabric. Sense watercolor stains are mostly water they are a little easier to remove than most other paints. All you need is the right stain removal tips.

Get water color stains out

How to Get Watercolor Stains Out of Cotton and Linen

What you will need:

  • Warm water
  • Liquid dishwashing detergent
  • Ammonia
  • White vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Clean white cloth
  • Paper towels

It always seems like you are wearing your favorite t-shirt when you get clumsy with the watercolors or your 4 year-old decides to paint in in their best set of cloths. Don't fret there are some really great tips to remove watercolor stains from your clothing. Watercolor paints are a little easier to remove than most others because it is water based, but the sooner you get to treating the stain the easier it will be to remove. 

  1. To begin the removal of watercolor stains from your clothing, you will need to make a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent, and 1 tablespoon ammonia. Tip: when using ammonia you will need to ensure you do not mix it with bleach. The fumes that the two chemicals make can be fatal.
  2. Next, you will soak the garment in the solutions for about 30 minutes. This will allow the watercolors to run from the clothing.
  3. After the clothing has soaked for the 30 minutes rinse the garment thoroughly with clean water. You can do this by simply placing the garment under the faucet.
  4. Inspect the stained area. If the stain remains you can move on to step 5.
  5. To continue treating the stain you will need to make another solution of 1 quart warm water and 1 tablespoon white vinegar.
  6. Allow the clothing to sit for about 1 hour. The white vinegar can cause some fabric damage if left to soak for too long. Ensure you remove the garment from the solution in a timely manner.
  7. Thoroughly rinse the fabric with warm water.
  8. Allow the garment to completely dry. Inspect the area. If the stain remains you can move on to step 9.
  9. For this next stain removal tip you will need to wet the clean white cloth with rubbing alcohol.
  10. Next, you will need to blot the watercolor stain with the rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol should start to bring the stain to the surface.
  11. As the stain comes to the surface blot the excess liquid with a clean paper towel.
  12. Continue to alternate the blotting, with the cloth dampened with the rubbing alcohol, and the absorbing of the excess liquid and stain.
  13. Continue to repeat this method until the stain is removed. You should change the paper towel and cloth as needed.
  14. After the stain has been removed allow the fabric to dry.
  15. Launder as you normally would.

How to Get Watercolor Stains Out of Wood Surfaces

What you will need:

  • A bucket
  • Clean white cloth
  • Wood polish or wax
  • Warm water
  • Liquid dishwashing detergent

When using watercolor paints you should ensure all wood surfaces are covered, but if you forgot or your bouncing baby boy gets his hands on his watercolor paints there are ways to remove the watercolor stains from wood. Wood is a precious surface that can be ruined by many different chemicals or too much water. For this reason you will need to make sure to follow the directions.

  1. To begin put some soap in a bucket and add warm water.
  2. Mix the soap and water together well. You should have a nice thick layer of bubbles.
  3. Next, you will need to scoop up the layer of bubbles with a clean white cloth. Ensure you have only dampened the cloth with the bubbles and not the soapy water.
  4. Gently wipe the cloth across the wood. Ensure you only wet the area of the wood that was stained with the watercolors.
  5. Continue to repeat this method until the watercolor stains have been removed.
  6. Inspect the area. If the stain has been removed you will need to polish or wax the wood to ensure the wood looks its best.

How to Get Watercolor Stains Out of Grout

What you will need:

  • Clean white cloth
  • Bucket
  • Warm water
  • Old toothbrush
  • Liquid dishwashing detergent
  • Baking soda

When working with water colors there can be accidents that happen when cleaning up. Unfortunately the grout in between your tile counter can become the victim of these watercolor accidents. To ensure easy clean up try and begin the stain fighting process as soon as possible. 

  1. To begin this watercolor stain removal you will need to wipe up any excess watercolors on the grout.
  2. Next, you will need to mix the liquid dishwashing detergent with warm water in a bucket. Mix the solution well so that it's really sudsy water.
  3. Dip a clean white cloth in the sudsy water and wash the grout.
  4. Inspect the stained area. If the stain remains you can move on to step 5.
  5. Take an old toothbrush and wet it thoroughly with clean water.
  6. Next, dip the wet toothbrush in a generous amount of baking soda.
  7. Scrub the watercolor stained grout with the toothbrush and baking soda.
  8. Rinse the area to remove any remaining baking soda.
  9. Dry the area with a paper towel and inspect the grout. If the stain remains continue to repeat this process until it has been removed.

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