How to Get Ink Stains out of Clothes?
07 May 2024
Ink stains on clothes can appear for different reasons and under other circumstances. But no matter how it happened, it is necessary to remove the stain so as not to lose a piece of closet. The problem of ink stains on clothes is especially relevant for office workers, students, and parents of schoolchildren. This trouble often happens at school and in the office: one careless movement is enough to leave a trace of a pen on the sleeve. Getting ink stains out of clothes can be difficult, especially if the fabric is light-colored or delicate. But we know a few proven ways to save the situation and are happy to share them. You can use professional means or improvised methods to get rid of the stain at home, such as baking soda, alcohol, toothpaste, and even ordinary milk.
A sweated rod and an accidentally left trace of a fountain pen or print on clothes, can become a serious problem - washingwashing off ink stains is not easy. But only if you do not know how and with whom to deduce them. In books about housekeeping or on the Internet, you can find many ways to remove this kind of dirt. But not all of them show a good result. Our experts have tested each of the existing methods. We offer to read their test results to learn the most effective ways to remove ink stains. Let's find out how to remove ink stains.
A sweated rod and an accidentally left trace of a fountain pen or print on clothes, can become a serious problem - washingwashing off ink stains is not easy. But only if you do not know how and with whom to deduce them. In books about housekeeping or on the Internet, you can find many ways to remove this kind of dirt. But not all of them show a good result. Our experts have tested each of the existing methods. We offer to read their test results to learn the most effective ways to remove ink stains. Let's find out how to remove ink stains.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Clean Ink Stains from Different Fabrics
To avoid damaging the item when cleaning the ink stains, consider the fabric's composition. Wipe the stain until the cloth or cotton disk is clean. Brightly colored and delicate things are better cleaned with special stain removers or soft methods.
Cotton and linen
There are a few solutions if an ink stain is left on a cotton fabric. You can spray hairspray on it (yes, in many cases, it acts as a powerful detergent) and then blot it with a clean cloth. There is also a "tomato" solution if you don't have hairspray. Place a piece on the stain, let it soak in, and the ink stains will be absorbed in a few minutes. Use this method if a ballpoint pen has ruined a white cotton or linen shirt . Prepare a ammonia solution (5 milliliters per glass of water), soak a cotton disk, and wipe the dirt. After that, wash the thing and dry it.
Velvet
Wash off fresh pen stains from velvet things, which will help warm milk. Soak the dirt with milk and leave it for half an hour. Wash a piece of closet using special means for velvet.
Delicate fabrics: silk, wool and others
To remove ink stains from delicate fabrics, use baking soda. Dilute the powder with a small amount of water to form a thick paste and apply it to the stain. After 5 - 7 minutes, remove the residue with a cotton pad and wash. A thick mixture of mustard powder and water will clean delicate fabrics perfectly. Apply the solution to the dirt, leave it for 2 - 3 hours, and wash in cold water.
Denim
Remove traces of ink stains from denim fabrics, which will help remove alcohol and salt. First, the stains should be wiped with alcohol from a cotton disk and then sprinkled with salt. In the future, laundering things in a machine will not be difficult.
Clean the pollution on jeans with an aqueous vinegar and lemon juice solution. The mixture is heated on the fire until bubbles appear on the surface. After the jeans are poured into the solution, the ink can be washed in clean water as soon as the ink comes off the fabric.
Before starting the process of cleaning jeans, pay attention to the color of the ink stains:
Purple and black traces are effectively removed with acetone and alcohol.
Red ink can be removed with ammonia.
It makes sense to treat a light-colored thing with a mixture of peroxide and ammonia (substances are taken in equal proportions).
On synthetics
Here, too, there are several solutions. You can spray ink stains with "water + lemon juice." Otherwise, it is also common to use toothpaste (but not gel). In the latter case, rub the stain with a toothbrush and the toothpaste well into the fabric. Once the toothpaste absorbs the color of the stain and begins to dry, scrape it off. You can repeat the operation if the ink persists.
Leather and leatherette
How do we clean ink stains from a ballpoint pen when discussing leather and leatherette? For such materials, the following means are used:
The stain is sprinkled with salt, leaving it in this form for several days. Then, rub the place of contamination with turpentine.
Ink stains can be removed with ordinary scotch tape. The sticky side of it is glued to the surface, and then it is quickly torn off. Small remnants of paste can be removed with an eraser (it is better to use an eraser designed to remove paste from paper).
Face or hand cream is applied to the stain, and after 7 minutes, the surface is wiped with a soap solution.
With white-colored leatherette, ink stains can be removed with glycerin and ammonia. If the contamination is insignificant, it is enough to process only glycerin. It is applied with a cotton disk, then wipes the surface with a soft cloth.
From leather things, traces of a pen rub off alcohol-containing means. You can use alcohol wipes, lotion, cologne, or toilet water.
Cotton and linen
There are a few solutions if an ink stain is left on a cotton fabric. You can spray hairspray on it (yes, in many cases, it acts as a powerful detergent) and then blot it with a clean cloth. There is also a "tomato" solution if you don't have hairspray. Place a piece on the stain, let it soak in, and the ink stains will be absorbed in a few minutes. Use this method if a ballpoint pen has ruined a white cotton or linen shirt . Prepare a ammonia solution (5 milliliters per glass of water), soak a cotton disk, and wipe the dirt. After that, wash the thing and dry it.
Velvet
Wash off fresh pen stains from velvet things, which will help warm milk. Soak the dirt with milk and leave it for half an hour. Wash a piece of closet using special means for velvet.
Delicate fabrics: silk, wool and others
To remove ink stains from delicate fabrics, use baking soda. Dilute the powder with a small amount of water to form a thick paste and apply it to the stain. After 5 - 7 minutes, remove the residue with a cotton pad and wash. A thick mixture of mustard powder and water will clean delicate fabrics perfectly. Apply the solution to the dirt, leave it for 2 - 3 hours, and wash in cold water.
Denim
Remove traces of ink stains from denim fabrics, which will help remove alcohol and salt. First, the stains should be wiped with alcohol from a cotton disk and then sprinkled with salt. In the future, laundering things in a machine will not be difficult.
Clean the pollution on jeans with an aqueous vinegar and lemon juice solution. The mixture is heated on the fire until bubbles appear on the surface. After the jeans are poured into the solution, the ink can be washed in clean water as soon as the ink comes off the fabric.
Before starting the process of cleaning jeans, pay attention to the color of the ink stains:
Purple and black traces are effectively removed with acetone and alcohol.
Red ink can be removed with ammonia.
It makes sense to treat a light-colored thing with a mixture of peroxide and ammonia (substances are taken in equal proportions).
On synthetics
Here, too, there are several solutions. You can spray ink stains with "water + lemon juice." Otherwise, it is also common to use toothpaste (but not gel). In the latter case, rub the stain with a toothbrush and the toothpaste well into the fabric. Once the toothpaste absorbs the color of the stain and begins to dry, scrape it off. You can repeat the operation if the ink persists.
Leather and leatherette
How do we clean ink stains from a ballpoint pen when discussing leather and leatherette? For such materials, the following means are used:
The stain is sprinkled with salt, leaving it in this form for several days. Then, rub the place of contamination with turpentine.
Ink stains can be removed with ordinary scotch tape. The sticky side of it is glued to the surface, and then it is quickly torn off. Small remnants of paste can be removed with an eraser (it is better to use an eraser designed to remove paste from paper).
Face or hand cream is applied to the stain, and after 7 minutes, the surface is wiped with a soap solution.
With white-colored leatherette, ink stains can be removed with glycerin and ammonia. If the contamination is insignificant, it is enough to process only glycerin. It is applied with a cotton disk, then wipes the surface with a soft cloth.
From leather things, traces of a pen rub off alcohol-containing means. You can use alcohol wipes, lotion, cologne, or toilet water.
How to Remove Ballpoint Pen Ink?
Naphtha
A chemical with an unpleasant pungent odor that dissolves dye well. The swab is soaked in ammonia; carefully blot the trace from the pen. Leave it for 10-15 minutes, then carefully rub off the remains of the dye. The cleaned thing is washed. To remove unpleasant odor, set the mode of additional rinsing.
Alcohol plus peroxide
Both chemicals are effective solvents that help remove ballpoint pen ink stains from clothes. First, the contamination is treated with alcohol and left for a few minutes. If it is not available, take vodka. However, given that the concentration of the active ingredient is lower, it is kept on the fabric longer. After that, apply peroxide to the remains of the dye, carefully rub it, and then wash the product. An important point: peroxide has a bleaching effect. Before applying it to the thing, you need to test its effect on an inconspicuous area.
Soda
Prepare a cleaning paste. To do this, dilute the soda powder with clean water to the consistency of a thickish gruel. Apply it to the soiled area and lightly rub it into the base. Leave for 15-20 minutes, scrub off the dried powder, and wash the product.
Milk whey
An old way how to wash off ballpoint ink stains from clothes. Whey, or if there is none, take sour milk, slightly heated, and pour into a bowl. Soak the contaminated area in the liquid. Leave it for 8-10 hours or overnight. Then, the product is washed.
Stain remover
The fastest way to remove ink stains from a ballpoint pen from clothes at home is to use a stain remover. There are universal means that clean different types of contaminants. But the most effective are specialized preparations.
A chemical with an unpleasant pungent odor that dissolves dye well. The swab is soaked in ammonia; carefully blot the trace from the pen. Leave it for 10-15 minutes, then carefully rub off the remains of the dye. The cleaned thing is washed. To remove unpleasant odor, set the mode of additional rinsing.
Alcohol plus peroxide
Both chemicals are effective solvents that help remove ballpoint pen ink stains from clothes. First, the contamination is treated with alcohol and left for a few minutes. If it is not available, take vodka. However, given that the concentration of the active ingredient is lower, it is kept on the fabric longer. After that, apply peroxide to the remains of the dye, carefully rub it, and then wash the product. An important point: peroxide has a bleaching effect. Before applying it to the thing, you need to test its effect on an inconspicuous area.
Soda
Prepare a cleaning paste. To do this, dilute the soda powder with clean water to the consistency of a thickish gruel. Apply it to the soiled area and lightly rub it into the base. Leave for 15-20 minutes, scrub off the dried powder, and wash the product.
Milk whey
An old way how to wash off ballpoint ink stains from clothes. Whey, or if there is none, take sour milk, slightly heated, and pour into a bowl. Soak the contaminated area in the liquid. Leave it for 8-10 hours or overnight. Then, the product is washed.
Stain remover
The fastest way to remove ink stains from a ballpoint pen from clothes at home is to use a stain remover. There are universal means that clean different types of contaminants. But the most effective are specialized preparations.
How to Remove an Old Ink Stain from Clothes?
Don't rush to the dry cleaners if you find an ingrained ink stain on your clothes. You can restore things to their former cleanliness using home methods. To wash the ink stains from the fabric yourself is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. Even if the stain is found after a significant period, your favorite things have a chance to save.
Here's how: If the soiled fabric is white, it will help remove the stain solution of 2 tbsp. Of hydrogen peroxide, the same amount of ammonia, and 2 liters of water. Soak the soiled clothes for 1.5-3 hours. After that, rinse in cool water and wash with bleach. Colored fabrics need delicate removal of ink stains. The use of aggressive substances is not recommended. In equal proportions, mix ammonia and turpentine. This solution is diluted in liquid glycerin. The resulting mixture is applied to the ink stains on the fabric and left for a couple of hours. Then, the thing is washed by the usual method.
Here's how: If the soiled fabric is white, it will help remove the stain solution of 2 tbsp. Of hydrogen peroxide, the same amount of ammonia, and 2 liters of water. Soak the soiled clothes for 1.5-3 hours. After that, rinse in cool water and wash with bleach. Colored fabrics need delicate removal of ink stains. The use of aggressive substances is not recommended. In equal proportions, mix ammonia and turpentine. This solution is diluted in liquid glycerin. The resulting mixture is applied to the ink stains on the fabric and left for a couple of hours. Then, the thing is washed by the usual method.
Important Things to Remember When Treating an Ink Stain
- The easiest and most effective way to remove ink stains is to take the stained item to a dry cleaner. It will not be cheap, so this option is justified only in the case of clothes made of delicate and expensive materials.
- Do not delay with washing. The fresher the stain, the easier it is to eliminate it. It can be powerless if the ink is embedded in the fabric, not only at home but also in professional methods using chemical reagents.
- If possible, use store-bought cleaners, the label of which mentions that they can remove ink stains. Such preparations have a specially selected chemical composition that is maximally effective against traces from a ballpoint pen.
- Before applying the product to the stain, try it on an inconspicuous area of the clothes - for example, in the area of seams or under the arm on the inside of the product. This way, you will ensure that the fabric's color and structure are not affected.
- As soon as you find ink stains, quickly fill them with any absorbent: fine salt, talcum powder, baking soda, or crushed chalk. These compositions can pull some of the ink out of the material's fibers, and then washing off the paste will be much easier.
- Leave the absorbent for 5-10 minutes, then wipe the stain several times: white fabric - hydrogen peroxide, colored - alcohol. Wash the item in a machine with ordinary washing powder.
- Do not delay with washing. The fresher the stain, the easier it is to eliminate it. It can be powerless if the ink is embedded in the fabric, not only at home but also in professional methods using chemical reagents.
- If possible, use store-bought cleaners, the label of which mentions that they can remove ink stains. Such preparations have a specially selected chemical composition that is maximally effective against traces from a ballpoint pen.
- Before applying the product to the stain, try it on an inconspicuous area of the clothes - for example, in the area of seams or under the arm on the inside of the product. This way, you will ensure that the fabric's color and structure are not affected.
- As soon as you find ink stains, quickly fill them with any absorbent: fine salt, talcum powder, baking soda, or crushed chalk. These compositions can pull some of the ink out of the material's fibers, and then washing off the paste will be much easier.
- Leave the absorbent for 5-10 minutes, then wipe the stain several times: white fabric - hydrogen peroxide, colored - alcohol. Wash the item in a machine with ordinary washing powder.