Need an emergency paint remover? Use baby wipes.

Last Updated on August 8, 2016 by Dave Farquhar

I don’t remember where I picked this up, but baby wipes are surprisingly effective at removing paint. So if you get paint on some trim or on the floor and you don’t notice right away, reach for the baby wipes–or buy a package of baby wipes.

Paint that’s only a few hours old will come off with little effort. Paint that’s been on a while longer will take more effort.

The first time I shared this trick with someone, he thought I was nuts. He scrubbed a paint spot that was a few weeks old and wasn’t getting anywhere. He was about ready to give up and tell me I was nuts, or stupid, or sadistic, or all three, when suddenly the paint gave up and rubbed off.

Then he asked me if it bothered me that something we use to clean up babies works so well to clean up paint.

I actually think they work better on paint than on babies. Well, on latex paint at least.

I have removed paint that was several years old on at least one occasion. But the longer the paint has been there, the less effective the baby wipes tend to be. But chances are when you get a smudge of paint on the woodwork or on the ceiling, you’ll notice quickly enough that the baby wipes will help. Even if you notice the day after, the paint will still wipe up fairly easily.

I should know. If I was a super hero, getting paint splatters all over the place would be my superpower.

Baby wipes also work pretty well for cleaning random gunk off painted surfaces. Just keep in mind that you only have a few dozen swipes before you’re likely to start removing paint.

The next time you need an emergency paint remover, baby wipes will be your best friend.

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