How to Remove Ink stains from Clothes

How to Remove Ink stains from Clothes

Pens are inseparable part of our lives and it is common for adults and especially kids to get ink stains on clothes and other articles. The different types of pens include ballpoint pen, fountain pen, temporary and permanent marker. Fortunately, Ink stain from these pens can be removed easily through the below given hacks.

How to remove Ballpoint pen Ink stains ?

 Ball point Ink contains oil-based pigments created to stick on paper and can be difficult to remove. If left untreated for a longer time, the stains can become permanent. To remove ballpoint pen ink stain, dab the area with rubbing alcohol using cotton ball or paper towel and wait for few minutes. Then blot using clean cloth until ink stain is removed.

How to remove Fountain pen Ink stains ?

 Fountain pen Ink is water based and stains are easier to remove as compared to Ball point. Stain remover can be used to remove water based ink stains from clothing. Soak the garment in cold water for 30 minutes to loosen up the stains. Apply a stain remover of your choice and gently rub until the ink stain is completely removed. You can also use rubbing alcohol to get ink out of clothes.

How to remove Permanent marker Ink stains ?

 Permanent markers are used to write on plastic, glass and metal. They are made of solvents and can be difficult to remove when stained on clothes. Use a Stain remover designed for removing stubborn stains and apply it to the affected area. Gently rub until the stains are completely removed. Alternately you can use white vinegar, nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol or acetone. Acetone however should be used with care as it can damage few types of fabrics.

How to remove Inks stains using Home remedies

1. Vinegar and Baking Soda

Best home remedies to treat ink stains include vinegar and baking soda. You can use either of them separately to remove ink stains. Mix equal part of vinegar and water and spray it on the stained area and let it sit for few minutes. Use a soft brush or cloth to rub or wipe the stain. Once the stain has been removed the cloth can be washed as per their care instructions. Instead of vinegar, you can also mix equal parts of baking soda and water and follow the above steps to remove the ink stains.

2. Lemon

Lemon juice contains acid which has the tendency to break down the ink stains. As soon you notice ink on the clothes blot the stain with small piece of cotton or clean cloth. Then to remove the ink stains, squeeze freshly cut lemon juice onto the stain and let it sit for 10 -15 minutes. Once the stain is removed rinse the clothes in cold water and wash as per regular settings.

3. Toothpaste

To remove ink from clothes, toothpaste is another uncommon yet effective method. Rub a small amount of toothpaste on the stained garment using a brush or cloth and let it stay for 10 – 15 minutes. Avoid rubbing hardly as the stain might spread or get deep into the fabric. Wash the garment once the stain is gone.

4. Milk

A natural and easy home remedy to remove ink stains from clothes is milk. It contains enzymes called proteases which helps to breaks down the stain from the clothes. Soak the stained cloth in milk for 30 minutes and check if the stains have been removed. If the stains persist, soak in milk for some more time until the stain is completely removed and wash off to remove the remaining milk or ink. While milk may not be as effective as vinegar or alcohol, it can be used as a quick fix when other cleaning solutions are not available.

5. Alcohol

Using alcohol is one of the most effective ways to remove ink stain from clothes. Dip a piece of cotton or small cloth in rubbing or denatured alcohol and gently rub against the stain. Repeat the process until the stain is completely lifted and rinse the cloth in warm water. You can then wash cloth in washing machine as usual.

Conclusion

Ink stains can be frightening at first especially when you do not know the right methods to remove the stains. In worst cases, stains can become permanent if left untreated for a long time. However to remove ink stains quickly and easily you can use any of the above mentioned ingredients like alcohol, vinegar, baking soda, lemon, milk and toothpaste.

It is also important to keep in mind the type of fabric you are going to work on. Always test on a small inconspicuous area of the garment to ensure that the cleaning method doesn’t cause any damage or discoloration. With the right method you can recover your stained garment back to its old state without hassle.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you remove pen ink from clothing?

Pen ink can be removed from clothing using home remedies like alcohol, baking soda or vinegar. Apply any one of the cleaning solution to the stained fabric and gently rub using cotton or a small cloth and let it sit for few minutes. After stain removal, wash the fabric in cold water until the cleaning solution and residue ink if any are gone.

2. Can you remove dried pen ink from clothing?

Rubbing alcohol is one of the best methods to remove dried pen ink from clothing. Pour some rubbing alcohol on the stained area and let it stay for few minutes to penetrate into the fabric. Wash the fabric and repeat the process until stain is completely removed. Do not use bleach, hot water and harsh chemicals as they can damage the fabric.

3. Are ink stains permanent on clothes?

The permanence of Ink stains in clothes depends on the type of ink, fabric and how long the stain has been on the clothes. In general ink stains are difficult to treat and in some cases, they might get permanent if the stains are already dried. Cotton and linen fabrics are more absorbent in nature when compared to polyester or nylon which are more resistant to ink stains. Irrespective of fabric type, the faster you treat a stain the easier it is to remove.

4. How to remove ink stains from white clothes ?

There are several ways to remove ink stain from white clothes. First step is to blot the stain with clean cloth or paper towel as soon as you notice the stain. Soak a small piece of cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and gently dab on the stained fabric. Let it stay for few minutes and then blot the stain again using a clean cloth. Repeat the process if necessary and wash the garment in warm water. Instead of rubbing alcohol, you can also use lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide.

5. How to remove felt-tip pen ink stains from clothes?

Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Dip a clean cloth in the solution and wring it out. Gently dab on the cloth on the stained fabric to remove the felt tip stains. Repeat the process until the stain is gone and wash the garment using cold water. You can also use commercial stain removers designed for ink stains.

6. How to remove ink stains from cotton clothes?

Ink stains can easily spread onto cotton clothes and can be quickly removed too. Combine vinegar and cornstarch to form a paste and apply on the stained area. Let the solution act on the stains for few hours. Make sure the ink stains are removed and then rinse with cold water. Alternately you can also use rubbing alcohol, milk or dish soap for better results.

7. How to get ink stains out of jeans ?

Ink stain can be removed from jeans using simple home remedies. Place a thick towel or plastic sheet under the stained jeans to ensure ink stains do not spread to other side of the jeans. Pour small amount of rubbing alcohol or hairspray directly onto the stained fabric. Let it soak for few minutes. Gently blot the stain using a clean cloth. Repeat the process until stains are completely lifted. Rinse the clothing in cold water and wash as per regular settings.  

8. How to remove ink stains with nail polish remover ?

Nail polish remover is one of the common household items that can be used to remove ink stains from clothes. Use nail polish remover containing acetone as it is the active ingredient which helps to break down the ink stains. Dip a cotton ball or clean cloth in the nail polish remover and blot the ink stain. Avoid rubbing as it can spread the stain to other areas. Repeat the process until stain is completely removed and wash the fabric as usual. Nail polish remover can harsh on materials like silk or wool. Be sure to test on inconspicuous area first, before moving to the stain removal process.

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