If you have an ink stain on a shirt or other fabric, you may worry that the stain will become stubborn and won't be able to be removed. While it can take considerable effort to remove ink stains from clothing, there are several ways you can follow to remove these stains from clothing, regardless of the material. New stains will be easier to clean than old ink stains. Therefore, it is important that you take immediate action before the ink is absorbed into the deeper layers of the fabric. Remove as much ink from the clothes as possible (eg using a cotton swab/paper towel), then use alcohol, vinegar, or other cleaning agent to remove the stains from the clothes.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Removing Fresh Ink Stains
Step 1. Cover the stained part of the clothes/cloth with a cloth
If you want to remove fresh ink stains, you need to remove as much of the existing ink as possible. Before removing it, place a white cloth or patch under the stained part of the garment. This is to prevent the ink stains from spreading or sticking to the back of the garment/fabric when you try to remove them.
Use a white cloth to make sure the color of the base cloth doesn't lift and stick to or soil the clothes you want to clean
Step 2. Remove the stain with a white cloth
Take another white cloth and press on the stain to lift it. After that, remove the stain by pressing or buffing the cloth against the stain instead of rubbing it, as the stain can actually get into the fiber layer of the garment. Keep pressing the cloth on the stain until no more ink is lifted.
Step 3. Also remove the ink on the other side of the garment
Turn the garment over and cover the stained area with a clean cloth. Repeat the process of removing the stain on that side and stop the process when no more ink has been removed.
Method 2 of 3: Using an Alcohol-Based Hair Spray
Step 1. Look for an alcohol-based hair spray
While it may sound strange, hair spray products can actually be an effective stain remover for removing ink stains from clothes. Look for products that are alcohol-based, as alcohol is the main ingredient in hairspray, which is effective at breaking down stains.
If you haven't prepared your clothes before the stain removal process, place the garment on a flat surface and cover the garment with a clean cloth on the stained area
Step 2. Perform a product test on a hidden part of the garment
Before using a hair spray or other cleaning method, it's a good idea to test it first to make sure the cleaning product you're using won't stain your clothes. To do a test run, spritz a small amount of hairspray on a hidden part of the garment/fabric. Wait for 30 seconds, then remove the product liquid by pressing the cloth/rag over the area to be sprayed. If the area looks slightly damp but has no other changes, a hairspray product can be safely used to remove the stain from the garment.
- If the product actually fades or discolors the fabric, don't use it to lift the stain.
- Hair spray products are most effective on polyester fabrics. Do not use products to remove stains on leather fabrics because alcohol-based products can actually damage the leather.
Step 3. Spray the product on the stain
Once the garment has been placed on a flat surface, aim the product at a distance of about 30 centimeters from the fabric and spray the product on the stained area fairly and evenly.
Step 4. Allow the product to soak into the fabric
After you've sprayed the product on the stain, let the product sit for a minute. This is done so that the alcohol in the product can destroy the ink stains. However, don't let the product sit for too long so that it doesn't dry out and get stuck in the fabric.
Step 5. Remove the stain using a clean cloth
After the product has left for a minute, remove the ink by pressing a clean white cloth or cotton pad against the stained area. Usually, the ink stain begins to lift after the cloth or cotton is pressed against the stained area. Keep dabbing on the stain until the stain is removed (or at least no more ink can be lifted).
If the stain is completely gone, wash the clothes as usual
Method 3 of 3: Removing Stains Using Other Cleaning Products
Step 1. Remove the stain using rubbing alcohol
Dip a clean white cloth or sponge in the alcohol, then gently dab it over the stained area to remove it. If you manage to remove the stain, wash the clothes as usual.
- Do not use alcohol (or acetate) to clean silk, wool or rayon clothing.
- Alcohol is an effective agent for removing all types of ink, from marker ink to ballpoint ink. Therefore, alcohol can be an appropriate cleaning product if your hairspray is not strong enough to lift the stain.
Step 2. Use glycerin and dish soap
Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of glycerin with 1 tablespoon (5 ml) of liquid dish soap in a bowl. Dip a white cloth into the mixture and dab on one side of the stain. Once no more of the stain has lifted, turn the garment over and dab the white cloth over the stain again.
- Once the mixture is applied to the stain, let the garment sit for about 5 minutes. After that, use your fingers to apply more glycerin to the stain. Rinse the clothes with water to remove any remaining glycerin and soap.
- Glycerin is a great agent for removing old stains because glycerin can saturate the stain and lift it so that the detergent can remove the stain easily. Usually, glycerin can be used for all types of fabrics.
Step 3. Use a mixture of baking soda and water
To remove stains with baking soda, mix baking soda and water in a 2:1 ratio in a small bowl to make a paste mixture. Use a cotton swab to apply the mixture to the ink stain, then dab the product on the stain to lift it off. Once the stain is gone (or there's no more ink removed), wipe off any remaining paste using a clean rag or paper towel.
Baking soda is safe to use on all types of fabrics
Step 4. Clean the stain using white vinegar
If you are unable to remove the stain, soak the entire garment in a mixture of white vinegar and water (1:1 ratio) for 30 minutes. While the garment is soaking, carefully remove the stain using a sponge or washcloth for about 10 minutes. After that, wash your clothes as usual.
- Do not use hot water to prevent the stain from sticking or sinking deeper.
- White vinegar is safe to use on all types of fabrics.
Step 5. Remove the stain using a dry cleaning cleaning product
There are a variety of stain-removal and dry-cleaning products in stores that are designed to get rid of stains. Use the product according to the instructions on the package, then remove the stain by dabbing/pressing a clean cloth on the stain.
Make sure you read the packaging label and don't use products that can damage the fabric
Tips
- If you're not sure how a particular product will react to the type of fabric you want to clean, test it on a hidden area of the fabric first before using the product to remove the stain.
- To lift the stain, press the cloth/cotton on the stain and don't rub it. Scrubbing can actually make the ink stain seep and stick deeper into the fabric and even damage the fiber layer of the fabric.
- Do not wash and dry clothes until the stain is completely gone. The heat from the dryer can make the stain stick to the fabric.
