How to Use Turpentine to Get Paint Off of Your Hands

Not all types of paint can be removed from skin with just soap and water. Turpentine is an effective paint solvent and can remove most paints and varnishes from skin. Because turpentine is flammable and an irritant to skin and eyes, it should only be used to remove paint from skin when other methods have failed. When using turpentine to remove paint from your skin, do so in a well-ventilated area away from children.

Safely use turpentine to get paint off of your hands.

Step 1

Moisten a clean cloth with one tablespoon of turpentine. The cloth does not need to be saturated to effectively remove paint from your skin.

Step 2

Rub the paint stained skin with the moistened cloth. The turpentine should be applied gently to prevent irritation.

Step 3

Wash the skin with soap and cool water. The process can be repeated until the skin is entirely paint-free.