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Accidents happen, and sometimes that accident involves a pen leak on your favorite shirt or blouse. Knowing how to remove pen ink from clothes quickly and safely is essential for saving your clothing items.
Getting pen ink out of clothes can be a tedious process, but with the right materials and techniques, you can have your clothes looking brand new in no time.
In this article, we will discuss some of the best methods for removing any kind of pen ink from your clothes, so that you can keep your wardrobe looking its best. We will cover everything from natural solutions to store-bought products to make sure you are properly equipped with the knowledge needed to remove any ink stain from any fabric.
Factors to Consider Before Removing Pen Ink From Clothes
Removing pen ink from clothes is a difficult task that usually requires several attempts. When it comes to removing pen ink from clothes, there are a few factors to consider before doing so.
The most important factor is the type of pen ink and the fabric of the clothing. Here are some factors to consider before attempting the removal process:
1. The type of pen ink.
When dealing with pen ink on clothing, the type of ink used should always be taken into consideration. The most common types are ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain pens. Each one requires different methods for removal. Typically, Ballpoint pens leave less ink than fountain pens, so they may be easier to clean.
Ballpoint ink is usually the easiest to remove but can prove more difficult if left to dry for too long. Rollerball and fountain pen inks typically require special cleaning solutions or solvents to completely erase the stain.
2. Consider the kind of fabric you are dealing with.
When removing pen ink from your clothes, it is important to consider the kind of fabric. Certain fabrics will absorb more ink than others, so items made out of these materials may need extra care when cleaning. Moreover, different fabrics require different cleaning methods and treatments.
For example, a delicate fabric such as silk should be pre-treated with a gentle detergent before laundering in cold water. On the other hand, a sturdy fabric such as denim may be able to tolerate stronger treatment, such as using a stain remover or rubbing alcohol solution.
Taking into consideration the type of fabric can help make sure that you successfully remove pen ink from your clothes without damaging them in any way.
3. Consider the color of your fabric.
When removing pen ink from your clothes, it is important to consider the color of your fabric. Different colors require different cleaning techniques and using the wrong one could damage or discolor your clothing.
Darker fabrics may be more prone to staining as they absorb more ink, while light-colored fabrics may become discolored if you use a harsh cleaner. It is best to use a cleaner specifically designed for removing pen ink, as this will reduce the risk of damaging or discoloring your fabric.
4. Consider how long the ink has stayed on the cloth.
When removing pen ink from clothes, it is important to consider how long the ink has been there. This will determine the difficulty of removing the stain, as well as the chance of complete removal.
Generally, an ink that has been on a piece of clothing for more than 24 hours is much harder to remove than fresh stains. To ensure that you don’t damage your clothes in the process, you should start by testing a small area with mild detergent. If this does not work, then move on to a stronger cleaner or specialized stain remover.
5. Consider how much ink is present on your clothes.
When attempting to remove pen ink from your clothes, it is important to take into consideration how much ink is present. Depending on the amount of ink that has been transferred to the fabric, various methods may be needed in order to successfully remove the stain.
Smaller amounts of ink can often be removed with white vinegar, while larger stains may require more aggressive measures such as soaking or scrubbing with a brush.
It’s important to make sure you are using safe products on your clothing so that you don’t cause any further damage. Taking the time to consider how much ink is present will help ensure that the right method is used for removing the stain and that no further damage occurs.
Mistakes to Avoid When Removing Pen Ink From Clothes
When removing pen ink from clothes, there are a few mistakes to avoid. Here are a few mistakes you can avoid in order to cause more harm to your clothes:
1. Firstly, never rub the stain as this can cause it to spread and become more permanent. Rather than rubbing the area, blot it gently with a damp cloth.
2. Avoid using hot water or harsh chemicals as these can be damaging to fabrics and may make the stain worse.
3. Additionally, do not put the item of clothing in the washing machine until you are sure that all of the ink has been removed; otherwise, you risk setting the stain into the fabric even further.
4. Moreover, make sure to put paper towels, rugs, or clean clothes underneath the stained area when treating the stain. This will ensure the ink stain does not leak onto other parts of the garment.
5. Furthermore, it is also important to check the label on the clothing item for care instructions and specific cleaning instructions for particular fabrics. Following these instructions can help ensure that the fabric remains undamaged while removing the pen ink.
6. Finally, it is important to test any cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous area of the fabric first before applying them over the entire stain.
Step-by-step Guide to Remove Pen Ink From Clothes
Step 1
Identify the Type of Ink
It is important to determine what type of ink was used as this will affect the removal technique. Depending on the type, different techniques may be required in order to remove the stain.
Permanent marker ink is more difficult to remove and may require special cleaning solutions or even professional assistance in some cases. Temporary marker ink can sometimes be removed using simple household items such as white vinegar or a simple mixture of detergent and water.
Ballpoint pen ink can usually be removed with rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, hairspray, or nail polish remover, however, if the stain has been there for some time it may be necessary to use commercial stain removers.
It is important to identify the type of ink before attempting to remove the stain, as using the wrong technique could potentially make the stain worse. Once you have determined which type of ink was used and what cleaning product is safe to use, you can then proceed with removing the stain from your fabric or surface.
Step 2
Pre-Treat the Ink Stain
Pretreating pen ink from your clothes can help weaken the ink stains and make them easier to clean. There are many ways to pretreat pen ink, so choose one that is best suited for the type of ink you are treating.
1. Temporary marker Ink
Temporary markers are temporary because they are water-based ink. The ink is designed to evaporate quickly, leaving no residue. The ink is water soluble and washable, which means, you can easily wash them off surfaces without them leaving any traces.
Here’s how to get temporary marker stains out of clothes:
Things you need:
1) Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer
2) Paper towels, rugs, or cotton balls
Removal procedure:
1) Put some paper towels, rugs, or cotton balls underneath the stained area to prevent the ink stain from leaking onto other parts of the garment.
2) Pour a few drops of rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer directly onto the stained area.
3) Allow the rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to stay on the stain for 3 to 5 minutes. This will allow the rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to break the molecules of the ink stain making it easy to remove.
4) Dab the stained area with a paper towel, rug, or cotton ball to soak up the ink stains. Do not rub the stained area, rather dab to avoid spreading it further.
5) Repeat the process until the stain is gone.
6) Wash the garment normally with laundry detergent and water.
2. Permanent marker Ink
Permanent markers are designed to be permanent. They have a high pigment content and thick ink. The key ingredient in permanent marker is ethyl alcohol, which creates a long-lasting mark that is very difficult to get rid of. The ink is also resistant to water and other chemicals.
Here’s how to remove permanent marker stains from clothes:
Things you need:
1) Hairspray or Nail polish remover
2) Paper towels, rugs, or cotton balls
Removal procedure:
1) Put paper towels, rugs, or cotton balls under the stained area to avoid the leakage of the ink onto other parts of the garment.
2) Apply hairspray or nail polish remover to the ink stain.
3) Allow it to sit for 3 to 5 minutes so that it can break down the bond between the fabric and the ink.
4) Blot the stain with a paper towel, rug, or cotton ball. Do not rub the ink stain, doing so will spread it further.
5) Repeat the process until all the stain is completely removed.
6) Launder the garment normally afterward.
3. Ballpoint pen / Rollerball Ink
Ballpoint pens are convenient and oftentimes necessary for writing, but what many people don’t know is that ballpoint pen ink is not permanent on clothes but it can be tricky to get rid of.
The main reason for the temporary nature of ballpoint pen ink is that the ink is made up of small oil droplets that evaporate over time.
As the oil droplets evaporate, they leave behind a residue that can cause the ink to appear smeary or water-soluble. Here’s how to remove ballpoint ink stains from clothes:
Things you need:
1) Rubbing alcohol, Hand sanitizer, Hairspray, or Nail polish remover
2) Paper towels, rugs, or cotton balls
Removal process:
1) It is important to put paper towels, rugs, or cotton balls underneath the stained area to prevent leakage of the ink to other parts of the garment.
2) Apply rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, hairspray, or nail polish remover to the stained area.
3) Allow it to sit on the stain for about 3 to 5 minutes. This will help weaken the bond between the fabric and the ink stain making it easy to remove.
4) Blot the stain with a paper towel, rug, or cotton ball.
5) Keep repeating the process until the stain is completely gone.
6) Consider washing the garment as you normally do after the pre-treatment.
Warning: Rubbing alcohol is very flammable, so be careful when working with it. Also, when removing the ink stains, do not rub instead dab or blot with a clean cloth.
Step 3
Wash The Clothes Normally
The main reason to wash the clothes normally after pre-treating them is that, after the pre-treatment, there might still be some traces of the stain which isn’t the ink stain itself but the coloring agent present in the ink. This coloring agent can easily be removed with laundry detergent and water.
Therefore, taking the time to wash your clothes after the pre-treatment will help remove the ink stains completely from your clothes.
Step 4
If All Else Fails
If the stain persists after trying the removal techniques listed above, then consider cleaning your clothes with these ink stain removers listed below.
1. DR. BECKMANN Stain Devil
DR. BECKMANN Stain Devil is perfect for removing tough ink stains. Upon using this product for years now, it has never failed at removing oil-based stains from my clothes. This powerful and convenient stain remover is perfectly suited to get rid of the toughest oil-based stains, making cleaning easier than ever before. Follow bottle instructions.
Pros:
- It is very effective
- It is easy to use
- It contains no harmful chemicals
Cons:
- The quantity is small
- Pricey to use on many clothes
2. Goo Gone Adhesive Remover Spray Gel
Goo Gone Adhesive Remover Spray Gel is the ultimate solution for removing stubborn stains caused by ink, glue, and other adhesives. With its specially formulated Citrus Power, you can easily eliminate unsightly marks without any damage. It’s safe to use on a variety of surfaces including wood, metal, ceramic tile, and more!
The Direction of Use:
- Apply the product to the ink stain
- Blot the stained area with a clean cloth
- Wash the clothes separately with detergent
Pros:
- It is easy to use
- It is safe to use on fabrics
- It is perfect for removing ink stains
Cons:
- It might require a lot of elbow grease.
3. Sonett Organic Traditional Stain Removers Gall Soap
Sonett Organic Traditional Stain Removers Gall Soap is the perfect solution for removing stubborn stains from all your fabrics. This highly effective soap works like magic on grease, fruit, blood, ink, ballpoint pen, grass, and fat spots without damaging colors or fibers. An advanced formula makes this soap extra powerful while staying gentle and safe for all white and color-fast textiles. Follow the instructions on the box.
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use
- It is environmentally friendly
- Highly effective at removing ink stains
Cons:
- Requires an elbow grease
Conclusion and final thoughts 💭
In conclusion, it’s possible to remove pen ink stains from clothing. Although it may be a challenge, however, by using the right tools and techniques, it is possible to get rid of pen ink stains.
First, identify what type of fabric your garment is made of. Then use one of several methods to remove the stain such as dabbing with rubbing alcohol, treating with hairspray or detergent, or soaking in a vinegar solution.
With patience and persistence, you might be able to get that stubborn pen ink stain out of your clothes. If all else fails, take the garment to a professional cleaner and they will be able to help.
