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Latex paint is water-based, so water is the best solvent to use on fresh latex drips or spots. A damp cloth or sponge will quickly remove a latex spot on most hard surfaces. Blot wet latex paint out of clothing, carpeting and rugs with a damp, cloth; rotating to clean sections as the paint wicks out of the fabric or pile. Choose a cloth of a color that contrasts with the paint you’re attempting to remove, but first be sure the cloth is colorfast.

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Washable clothing can also be soaked and then laundered. Blot a dry-clean-only garment with a solvent-based spot remover, then take it to a professional. Work in a well-ventilated area, and place cloths under the clothing to protect underlying surfaces.

Oil-based paints are much more challenging. Water won’t do any good, of course. First, blot as much paint as possible out of fabrics with a paper towel while being careful not to enlarge the spatter or spread it to other parts of the garment. On fabrics and carpeting not made of acetate, apply a few drops of nail-polish remover to a cloth and blot carefully to remove paint. The acetone in nail-polish remover will dissolve acetate fabrics; try a non-acetone spot remover instead. Rotate the cloth to clean areas as paint comes out of the fabric. Place a cloth under the stained area to protect underlying surfaces.

Don't use mineral spirits or paint thinner as spot removers. These may be transparent liquids, but they’re not colorless, so they will stain clothing and carpeting. In addition, acetone dissolves paint of all kinds and damages some countertops and flooring. If in doubt, take steps to protect nearby surfaces from acetone.

Reference:

Jeff Bredenberg, editor, in Clean It Fast, Clean It Right: The Ultimate Guide to Making Everything You Own Sparkle & Shine.