Easy Ink Stain Removal Tips

Ink stains can be very difficult to get out of clothes, but it can be done! Try these tips and suggestions for removing ink stains from your clothes.

Non-permanent Ink Stains: If you get an ink stain from a pen or marker that does not have permanent ink, try one or a combination of the following.

Try laying the piece of clothing with the ink stain flat on top of a towel. Dab the ink stain with plain water on a paper towel or washrag. This should lift part of the stain. Next, put some of your normal washing detergent onto the stain and continue to blot with the washrag.

Allow the garment to sit for a few minutes. Wash the garment in warm or hot water if the garment allows (look on the tag for washing instructions).

If you notice you have an ink stain at work, I have noticed that dabbing the stain right away with water in the bathroom and/or dabbing the stain with soap from the soap dispenser can remove the stain partially or fully. Later, when you get home, follow the instructions above.

Permanent Ink Stains: Permanent ink stains from pens or markers are more difficult to remove. There are a couple of things you can try, though, to get the stain out.

One solution is using rubbing alcohol. Lay the stained piece of clothing on top of a towel, so that it lays flat. Use a towel you don't mind getting stained because as you remove the stain, it will go to the towel.

First, blot a little bit of rubbing alcohol on a piece of the garment that remains hidden, so that you can see how the alcohol will affect the fabric color and pattern. If it does not discolor the garment, take a paper towel or washrag and begin to dab rubbing alcohol onto the ink stain.

As you dab, the stain will go onto the towel beneath the piece of clothing. Move the ink stain to a new, clean section of towel as you continue to dab.

If the rubbing alcohol did not remove the entire ink stain, try nail polish remover. Follow the instructions listed above for removing the ink stain with nail polish remover.

If all else fails, you may try to remove the stain with acetone. It is important to note, though, that acetone may ruin many fabrics including rayon and acetate.

After you have removed as much as the stain as you can using rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, and/or acetone, dab baking soda and water onto the stain. Rinse thoroughly before applying a stain stick and washing in the washing machine.

Ballpoint Ink Stains: You may try blotting the stain with rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. Be sure to test an area of the garment that remains hidden in order to see how the rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover will affect it. If it does not discolor or otherwise damage the garment, put rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover onto the ink stain and blot with a washcloth.

Next, put your regular washing detergent onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Wash the garment in warm or hot water, following the washing instructions for the garment, located on its tag.

Colored or Patterned Fabrics: If rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover damages the fabric you tested it on, try soaking the garment in milk overnight. The next day, wash the garment in the washing machine according to its instructions.

Suede: Try gently rubbing a piece of sandpaper over an ink stain on a suede piece of clothing to remove an ink stain.

Ink stains don't have to ruin your clothes. Try these techniques for removing ink from your clothes before you decide to toss them, use them as rags, or spend a lot of money at the dry cleaner's.

Sources:

About.com: Removing Ink Stains:
http://housekeeping.about.com/od/stainremoval/a/inkstains.htm

Reader's Digest: Removing Ink Stains:
http://www.rd.com/tools-and-quizzes/extraordinary-uses/removing-ink-stains/article.html