Last Updated on 9 months by Susan Mayrich
Liquid latex is a popular material used in various applications, such as making prosthetics, stage makeup, and special effects. It’s also used in some medical procedures.
It’s an oil-based product that clings to fabrics and may leave a residue or stain behind once it dries.
If you get latex on your clothes, there are several ways to remove it with household items.
Continue reading this article and learn how to get liquid latex out of clothes.
Does Liquid Latex Stain Clothes
Yes, liquid latex can stain. Liquid latex can stain clothes if it gets on them. For example, wearing a white shirt or blouse, you will see a bright yellow stain when you get the liquid latex on your clothing.
Can you get latex out of clothes?
Yes. Latex stains are usually easy to remove from clothing, but it depends on the type of latex and what you used to apply it.
The best way to remove a latex stain from clothes is with rubbing alcohol or hairspray because both will help break down the adhesive in the latex so that it can be easily wiped away. Test an inconspicuous area first to ensure your method works before treating the entire stain.
What Dissolves Liquid Latex
A few things can dissolve liquid latex, but you might have to mix them. The first thing to try is rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol, is a solvent that will dissolve many substances, including waxes and oils. It’s also commonly used for removing latex paint from the skin.
You can try dish soap and water if the rubbing alcohol doesn’t work. Dish soap is another common household substance that dissolves oils very well. Soap and water also work well for removing latex paint from the skin.
If neither of these works, try vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar is an acid that can break down certain substances like oils, waxes, and gums. Vinegar also has antibacterial properties that help kill bacteria on your skin after exposure to liquid latex or paint stripper.
Baking soda works as an alkaline base that neutralizes acids like vinegar and helps wash away any residue left behind by them.
How to Get Liquid Latex Out of Clothes
Removing liquid latex from clothes can be a little tricky, but with a few tricks and tips, you’ll have no problems getting the paint out of your favorite shirt.
#1. Dishwashing Detergent
The good news is that most liquid latex will come out of your clothes with some elbow grease and patience. Here’s how to get it off:
#2. Scrape off the excess paint
If there’s too much latex on your garment, use a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe away as much as possible.
#3. Rinse the spot in running water
If you don’t have access to running water, rinse as much of the still-wet paint as possible with cold water from the tap.
#4. Treat with dishwashing liquid and warm water
Fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to help break down the latex paint. Submerge the garment in this mixture until you remove as much paint as possible with your fingers or a sponge.
#5. Treat with commercial stain remover
Treat with commercial stain remover. If you still see some residue after rinsing, apply a commercial stain remover directly onto your garment and rub gently until no more residue appears on your fingertips when you lift them away from the fabric.
#6. Wash as usual
Then wash your garment as usual in cold water on its own to prevent bleeding from other clothes in your washing machine during subsequent wash cycles.
#7. Use baking soda
Baking soda is one of the best solvents for removing latex from clothing. You’ll only need a small amount of baking soda mixed with water to clean up any of your clothes.
- To remove the remaining leftover adhesive from the latex, soak your clothing in warm water mixed with 1/2 cup of baking soda for about 20 minutes.
- Use a toothbrush or sponge to scrub away any remaining residue on the fabric after soaking.
- Rinse thoroughly in cold water. Repeat as needed.
#8. Try Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can help remove the liquid latex from your clothes. The alcohol will break down the latex and make it easier to remove from your clothing.
- Wash the clothes in warm water. This will loosen any dried latex on the fabric.
- Apply rubbing alcohol to the affected area with a cotton swab or cloth.
- Use enough to see it soaking into the fabric and dissolving some of the latex.
- Leave it on for at least five minutes.
- Wash the area with soap and water.
How to Get Dried Liquid Latex Out of Clothes
Use Vinegar to Remove Dried Liquid Latex
Vinegar is a natural home remedy that can be used to remove latex paint from clothes. It works because vinegar has a low pH, which dissolves the paint. You can use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or any other type of vinegar that you have on hand.
- Soak the garment in warm water until the paint starts to soften.
- Place a few drops of vinegar onto a clean cloth and apply it directly to the paint stains on your clothes.
- Rub gently with your fingers until all of the stains have disappeared. If any stain remains, repeat this process until it is gone.
How to Get Liquid Latex Out of Carpet
#1. Dab the Wet Paint Off the Carpet
If your carpet is still wet, use a towel or rag to dab up as much paint as possible. You may not be able to get all of it, but every little bit helps.
#2. Mix Warm Water and Dish Soap
Make a mixture of warm water and liquid dish soap. Spray this mixture onto the latex paint on your carpet and scrub with a brush or sponge. This will help loosen the latex so that it can be removed more easily.
#3. Scrub with the mixture
Scrub until all of the latex paint is gone from your carpet. The longer you wait before scrubbing, the harder it will be to remove because the latex dries into a hard film that is difficult to remove from your carpet fibers.
Use an old toothbrush to get into those little crevices where latex tends to hide after drying for several hours after application.
#4. Then use a carpet cleaner
This will remove any remaining latex paint from your carpet fibers and leave them clean and ready for use.
#5. Rinse
Then blot up any excess water with a towel until no more comes out when you squeeze it. Then let everything dry overnight before walking on it again.
How to Get Latex Paint Out of Fabric Couch
To remove latex paint from your fabric couch with dish soap and water:
- The simplest solution is to scrape off as much paint as possible using a putty knife or other blunt instrument.
- If there is any left behind, mix a solution of warm water and dish soap in a bowl and sponge it onto the areas where there is still latex paint on the couch.
- Then, sponge with cool water, so the soap doesn’t damage your fabric or upholstery.
- If there are still some stubborn spots that won’t come off after using this method, try using acetone instead of dish soap in the sponge solution. This will help remove any remaining latex paint from your couch cushions more easily than dish soap alone.
Final Words
Whether you want to remove it quickly with a stain remover or take the more natural approach of washing it out in the laundry, there should be something that works for you. But before you get upset, use the above tips to remove the latex manually before it causes a bigger problem.
