How to Remove Ink From Clothes – Whether you inadvertently grazed your sleeve while jotting down a message or your pen-obsessed toddler got to your laundry pile before you did, don’t fret: Carolyn Forte, Director of the Home Appliances & Cleaning Products Lab in the Good Housekeeping Institute, has two simple methods to remove ink stains from clothes, stat.
Different ink stains require different care, so make sure you follow the appropriate how-to guide depending on if you’re trying to remove ballpoint pen or felt-tip pen ink.
Table of Contents
Method 1: Blotting Up Fresh Ink Stains
- 1Place a cloth underneath the stain. If you are working on a fresh stain, you should try to absorb as much ink as possible. Before blotting the stain, place a white cloth or rag underneath the stained portion of the garment. This will prevent the stain from spreading to the back of the garment while you attempt to remove it.[1]
- Use a white cloth to ensure that the color of the cloth doesn’t lift and further stain the garment you’re working on.
2Blot the stain with a white cloth. Take another white cloth and blot at the stain. Use gentle dabbing motions instead of rubbing the stain, as rubbing can ingrain the stain further into the fibers of the garment. Keep dabbing until no more ink is being lifted from the stain.
Blot the other side of the garment. Flip the garment over and place the clean cloth underneath the stained portion. Repeat the process of dabbing the stain on the other side of the garment, stopping when you don’t see any more ink being lifted.
Method 2: Using Alcohol-Based Hairspray
- 1Find an alcohol-based hairspray. Hairspray is an unlikely but effective stain remover that you can use to remove your ink stain. Find a hairspray that is alcohol-based, as alcohol is the key element in hairspray that is effective at breaking up the stain.[4]
- If you haven’t already, lay out your garment and place a clean cloth underneath the stained portion to prepare it for cleaning.
Spot test an inconspicuous area. Before using hairspray or any other cleaning method, it’s a good idea to spot test to make sure that the cleaner doesn’t further stain the fabric. To spot test, spray a small amount of hairspray on an inconspicuous area of the garment, wait about 30 seconds, then blot it away. If the area looks a little damp but otherwise unchanged, it’s safe to use hairspray on the stain.- If the hairspray smears or alters the color of the garment, do not use it on the stain.
- Hairspray works best on polyester-based fabrics. Do not use hairspray to remove a stain from leather, as alcohol-based products can damage the material.
Spray the stain with hairspray. After you have laid out your garment, hold the hairspray about a foot from the garment and spray the stained area evenly and generously with hairspray.- 4Let the hairspray set. After you spray the stain with hairspray, let the hairspray set for a minute. This allows the alcohol of the hairspray to break apart the ink stain. Don’t let the hairspray sit for too long, or it will dry into the fabric.[7]
Blot the stain with a clean cloth. After about a minute of letting the hairspray set, begin blotting the stain with a clean white cloth or a cotton ball. You should see the ink stain being lifted. Keep dabbing at the stain until the stain is removed or until no more ink is being lifted.- If the stain is completely gone, launder the garment as usual.
Method 3: Dabbing the Stain With Other Cleaners
Dab with rubbing alcohol.[9] Dip a clean white cloth or sponge in rubbing alcohol, then begin dabbing at the stain, blotting gently. If you succeeded in getting out the stain, launder the garment as you usually would.[10]- Don’t use rubbing alcohol on acetate, silk, wool or rayon.
- Rubbing alcohol is effective at getting out any kind of ink stain, whether it be from a marker or a ballpoint pen, so it’s a good cleaner to use if hairspray wasn’t powerful enough to get out the stain.
Use glycerin and dish detergent. Mix 1 tablespoon (14.78 ml) of glycerin and 1 teaspoon (4.92 ml) of liquid dish detergent in a bowl. Dip a white cloth into the glycerin mixture and dab at one side of the stain. When you don’t see any more of the stain being lifted, flip the garment over and dab the other side of the stain.- After dabbing, let the garment sit for about 5 minutes. Then use your finger to apply more glycerin to the stain. Then flush the garment with water to remove the glycerin and soap.
- Glycerin is a good agent for old stains because it saturates the stain and helps to lift it, which lets the detergent clean it away. It should work on all fabrics.
Use baking soda and water. To lift up the stain with baking soda, mix together a 2 to 1 combination of baking soda and water in a small bowl to make a loose paste. Use a cotton ball to apply the paste onto the ink stain, then dab with the cotton ball. Once the stain has been removed or is no longer lifting, wipe off the paste with a clean cloth or paper towel.- Baking soda is safe to use on all materials.
Clean the stain with white vinegar. If you have not succeeded in getting out the stain, soak the entire garment in a 1 to 1 solution of white vinegar and water for 30 minutes. While the garment is soaking, gently blot the stain with a sponge or cloth every 10 minutes or so. Then launder your garment as usual.- Don’t use hot water, as hot water can set the stain.
- White vinegar is safe to use on all materials.
Blot with dry cleaning fluid. There are many kinds of commercial stain removers and dry cleaning fluid on the market designed to get rid of stains. Apply using the instructions on the bottle, then blot at the stain using a clean cloth.- Tide To Go stain remover pens are effective at getting out ink.
- Make sure that you read the label and aren’t using a cleaner that could damage the material of your garment.
How to Remove Felt-Tip Pen Ink
Removing felt-tip ink is a bit more time consuming — but not impossible, as long as you follow this guide.
- Rinse the stain under cold water to flush out as much of the ink as you can.
- Fill a basin with hot water and pour in a bleach-free, liquid laundry detergent, like GH Seal Star Tide. The amount you’d use to hand wash a blouse should do, plus a couple splashes of ammonia. Stir the solution and immerse the garment. Give the stain a rub with your fingers, and let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
- If it’s a stubborn stain, let it soak overnight, giving it a rub every so often. Soon you’ll see it starting to fade. To help it along, mix up a fresh solution or add a bit more ammonia. When the stain is gone, rinse the garment, rub in a bit more liquid laundry detergent and wash as usual. As with any stain, air dry the garment until you are certain the stain is completely removed.
How to Get Ink Out of Leather
If your pen cap fell off in your purse, don’t worry. Just dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and lightly rub the stain to wipe away the marks. If your purse has a shiny patina or a glossy surface, it’s probably been coated and will be easier to treat. Use a commercial product designed specifically for this purpose, like Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner. If that doesn’t work, take your item to a dry cleaner that specializes in treating leather.
Conclusion
If you own a shirt or dress that’s covered in ink-stains, then you know it’s an ugly sight. Luckily, you might still be able to salvage your garment. By following the few simple steps listed above, you can remove dried-inks stains from your clothes.