How to Remove Ink Stains from Clothes

Find an alcohol-based hairspray. It may sound a little strange, but hairspray is an effective stain remover you can use to remove ink stains. Look for an alcohol-based hairspray, as alcohol is the key ingredient in a hairspray that breaks down stains. ^[4]

• Spread the ink-stained item and line a clean cloth underneath the stain to prepare to remove the ink stain.

Test first on a hidden spot on the item. Before using a hairspray or any other cleaning treatment, it’s a good idea to test it first to make sure the bleach doesn’t stain the fabric further. Spray a small amount of hairspray onto an inconspicuous area of the item, wait for about 30 seconds, then pat dry. If the area you just sprayed is slightly damp but there is no change, you can use that hairspray to remove the stain. ^[5]

• If you find the hairspray smears or discolors the fabric, don’t use it on the stain.
• Hairspray is most effective when used on ppyester fabrics. Do not use hairspray to remove stains from leather, as alcohol-based products can damage the leather.

Spray hairspray on the ink stain. After spreading the item, hold the hairspray about 30cm from the surface of the fabric and spray a generous amount evenly over the ink stain. ^[6]

Wait for the hairspray to soak into the ink stain. After spraying on the ink stain, you need to allow the hairspray to soak for about 1 minute. This will help the alcohol in the hairspray break down the ink. Don’t wait too long; Otherwise, the hairspray will dry out and stick to the fabric. ^[7]

Blot the stain with a clean cloth. After about 1 minute of waiting for the hairspray to soak in, you can start blotting the stain with a clean white cloth or cotton ball. You should see the ink seeping out. Continue to dot until the stain is clean or until the ink stain is no longer visible. ^[8]

• When the ink stain is completely clean, wash the item as usual.

Dab rubbing alcohol on the stain. Dip a clean white cloth or sponge in rubbing alcohol, then dab onto the ink stain and lightly blot. If the stain is clean, you can wash the item as usual. ^[9]

• Do not use rubbing alcohol to remove ink from silk, wool, acetate or rayon fabrics.
• Rubbing alcohol works to remove all types of ink, whether it’s a marker or a ballpoint pen, so it’s a good cleaner if the hairspray isn’t strong enough to remove the stain.

Use glycerin and dishwashing liquid. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of glycerin with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of dishwashing liquid. Dip a white cloth in the glycerin mixture and dab the stain on one side of the fabric. When not much ink seeps out, flip the other side and dab on the stain. ^[10]

• After dipping the glycerin mixture, wait for the mixture to soak for about 5 minutes, then use your fingers to rub more glycerin on the ink stain, finally rinse with water to remove the glycerin and soap.
• Glycerin is an effective agent for removing old stains because it soaks into the ink stain, helping the stain to loosen and allowing the soap to remove. Glycerin works on all fabrics.

Use baking soda and water. To remove ink stains with baking soda, mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part water in a small bowl to form a liquid paste. Use a cotton ball to dab the mixture on the ink stain. When the stain is clean or when the cotton ball is no longer coming out, use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe the baking soda mixture off the cloth. ^[11]

• Baking soda is safe for all materials.

Remove ink stains with white vinegar. If you can’t remove the ink stains by the above methods, soak the entire item in a solution of white vinegar and water mixed with a ratio of 1:1 for about 30 minutes. While soaking, blot the stain with a sponge or cloth about every 10 minutes. You can then wash as usual. ^[12]

• Do not use hot water, as hot water can deepen the stain.
• White vinegar can be used safely on all materials.