If this weekend finds you cooped up inside because of blustering winds and blowing snow outside, take advantage of your time by tackling home maintenance projects you’ve been putting off. In fact, right now is the perfect occasion to touch up paint on walls, ceilings and woodwork.
But what if you accidentally rub against wet paint or varnish when you’re wearing something that’s not part of your usual painting wardrobe? It doesn’t have to spell disaster—as long as you act fast, before the spot dries. If the culprit is latex paint, just wash it out with soap and water. If it’s oil-based paint or varnish, try one of these quick tricks:
- Place the stained area on top of an old towel, pour isopropyl alcohol or vodka on the spot, and rub the fabric with an old toothbrush.
- Smear a glob of hand sanitizer gel onto the spot and rub it off with a plastic scrubbie.
- Spritz the area thoroughly with hair spray, and scrape off the glob with a flat-bladed knife.
- Sponge the spot using the solvent recommended on the paint or varnish label, then soak the garment overnight in a solution of ¼ cup of dishwashing liquid and 2 gallons of water.
Find even more super hints for repairing everything from A to Z in my Fix It Fast and Make It Last! You can even try it FREE for 21 days! It’s filled with over 2,000 terrific tips to get your whole house in tip top shape. Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page before you go!