We’ve all been there – a stray pen in the pocket, an unnoticed leaky pen cap, or an accidental swipe of an ink-laden hand can result in unsightly ink stains on our favorite clothing. While it may seem like a daunting task, fear not! With the right techniques and a bit of patience, you can bid farewell to those stubborn ink stains and restore your garments to their former glory. In this guide, we’ll explore effective methods to remove ink stains from clothing and various types of fabrics.
If you are new to the blog, welcome! I blog about cleaning, decluttering, and organizing. You can find more free printables to help you get organized in the drop down menu under the Printables category. Today, I’ll cover how to remove ink stains from clothing.
You can also read my post on Laundry Organization Tips & Correcting Common Laundry Mistakes. You can also find my post on How to Remove Armpit Stains from Clothing here.
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It includes a daily schedule, calendar pages, and deep cleaning checklists for every room and area of your home. Also, check out this post on 7 Cleaning Tasks That Are a Waste of Your Time. Check out my post on how to clean your entire house in 1 hour. Now, let’s look at how to remove ink stains from clothing.
9 Tips to Remove Ink Stains from Clothing
- Act Quickly:
The key to successfully removing ink stains is to tackle them as soon as possible. The longer the ink sits on the fabric, the more challenging it becomes to eliminate. Act swiftly to increase your chances of complete stain removal.
- Identify the Fabric:
Different fabrics react differently to stain removal methods. Before you begin, check the care label on your garment to determine the type of fabric it is made from. This information is crucial in selecting the appropriate stain removal approach.
- Blot, Don’t Rub:
When dealing with wet ink stains, avoid rubbing the fabric together, as this can spread the ink and make the stain worse. Instead, use a clean cloth or paper towel to gently blot the stain. Blotting helps absorb excess ink without spreading it further.
- Test in an Unseen Area:
Before applying any stain remover, it’s wise to test it on an inconspicuous area of the garment to ensure it won’t cause damage or discoloration. This precaution is especially important for delicate fabrics.
- Hairspray for Ballpoint Pen Ink:
For ballpoint pen ink stains, a commonly recommended method is using hairspray. Spray a small amount of hairspray directly onto the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then blot with a clean cloth. Wash the garment as usual afterward.
- Rubbing Alcohol or Hand Sanitizer:
For both ballpoint and gel pen ink stains, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer can be effective. Apply a small amount to the stain, gently blot with a clean cloth, and then wash the garment according to care instructions.
- Milk for Fountain Pen Ink:
Fountain pen ink can be a bit trickier, but milk can come to the rescue. Soak the stained area in milk for a few hours, then wash the garment as usual. Milk helps break down and lift the ink from the fabric.
- Commercial Stain Removers:
There are various commercial stain removers available on the market. Follow the instructions on the product’s label, and be sure to choose a stain remover suitable for the fabric type.
- Prevention Tips:
To minimize the risk of future ink stains, store pens and markers with caps securely in place, and be mindful of where you place them. Additionally, consider using protective clothing or aprons when working with ink.
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