13 Easy Ways to Get Ink Out of Clothes ASAP

Ink stains are a rather common issue to disgust people to carry pens in pockets. And it often seems almost impossible to get rid of visible stains using chemicals.

But you should consider DIY remedial measures to eliminate the stains while retaining the fabric.

There are several easy ways to get ink out of clothes using everyday items. It only takes some knowledge on the type of ink as well as fabrics for effectiveness.

Type of Ink Stains

Common people use three specific pen types, considering the ink variations. You’re to check for dye-based or oil-based, water-based & permanent marker ink.

Different inks require specific measures for complete removal from clothes. Check for the information regarding full extermination from the pen’s brand website.

Ink Stain Removal from Fabrics

Of course, you must keep the fabric type into consideration all the time. Many different fabrics like cotton, polyester, wool, vinyl, etc. remain available.

Always test a prepared recipe on the inside seam or hidden cloth portion. Start with diluted or mild concentration regardless of the formula ingredients.

Let’s continue knowing the favorite ways to remove ink from clothes.

1. Removal of Ink from Any Fabric

Start treating the stains right away before it gets permanent or dried. And you can effectively reduce the effect on unknown fabric with the recipe.

Primary Ink Removal

• Baking Soda
• Tap Water

Make a solution by mixing the two ingredients in a bowl. Use a cotton ball to apply the mix to stains.

Leave the treated spots for working itself to brush the ink away. Wash the cloth in your usual process.

2. Ideal Water-Based Stain Removal

The method is excellent to treat water-based ink stains on your clothes. It even works for diesel fuel stains to retain the intact look.

Watery Laundry Detergent

• Liquid Laundry Detergent
• Warm Household Water

Keep the stained garment on a dry towel to apply lukewarm water. Blot the stained area using another clean cloth to transfer the ink.

Use a slight amount of detergent on the stain to stand for 5 minutes. Treat the cloth in a washing machine at the highest level of heating.

3. Immediate Removal of Fresh Stains

Catching the stains almost instantly requires immediate removal action. And you can consider salts from the pantry inside the kitchen.

Salty Treatment

• Cooking Salt

Completely cover the stain with salt before the ink starts drying. Use a damp paper towel to dab the stain in a gentle manner.

Now brush the salt off from the stain to repeat the process. Multiple dabbing should vanish the ink stains soon enough.

4. Alcohol-Based Product on Stains

Hand sanitizer has become readily available everywhere, no thanks to the pandemic. Its integrated alcohol features a great remedy for ink stains.

Sanitized Ink Removal

• Diluted Hand Sanitizer

Cover the entire stain with the intended liquid right away. Leave the garment for 10 minutes to throw it in the washing machine.

5. Getting Pen Out of Clothes

Isopropyl alcohol is one effective way to address ballpoint or permanent marker stains. And you can use the recipe to remove stains from suede/microfiber contents.

Alcoholic Cleaning

• Rubbing Alcohol
• Laundry Detergent

Test the alcohol in a hidden section to judge its overall usability. Place the stained garment over one clean towel.

Soak a cotton ball into the alcohol to blot the stained spots. Remove the underlying towel after it gets wet & discolored.

After transferring the ballpoint pen ink, add a few detergent drops. Wash the cloth with hot water after a 5-minute wait.

6. Overnight Treatment for Ink Removal

Presence of milk in the list definitely surprises many at the first glance. It’s a long yet extremely effective process to address the ink stains.

Milky Submergence

• Drinking Milk

Fill a shallow container with sufficient milk to cover the stains. Keep the stains submerged overnight to wash as usual.

7. Removing Stains from Exploded Pen

It’s indeed difficult to treat ink stains to originate from an exploded pen. But going for a somewhat powerful recipe can resolve the issue comfortably.

Standard Dissolving Combo

• 1 Tsp Lemon Juice
• 1 Tbs White Vinegar
• 1 Tbs Laundry Borax
• 1 Tbs Drinking Milk

Add every ingredient except milk in a medium-sized bowl. Stir the combination well to create a well-uniformed mixture.

Place the stained cloth between two paper towel sheets first. Press the clothing down to remove as much ink as possible.

Use a paintbrush to dip in the solution for painting the stains. Leave the treated stains for five minutes after covering the spot.

Press a damp sponge against the loosened stains several times. Repeated processing should remove the stains at some point.

8. Simple Stain Removal from Clothes

The two-step method effectively removes ink stains from fabrics. And you can even consider the recipe to neutralize oily stains.

Vinegar – Cornstarch Mix

• 2 Tbs Vinegar
• 3 Tbs Cornstarch

Start with wetting the ink stain using distilled vinegar first. Gently combine the ingredients to form a usable thick paste.

Apply the paste directly on the stain to set dry completely. Wash the cloth using the warmest water allowed for the fabric.

9. Fast Ink Removal through Dissolving

Hairspray to contain alcohol actually does the cleaning for ink removal. You should check for cheap sprays to have a high alcohol level.

Alcoholic Spray

• Hairspray
• Hot Water

Place a clean towel right under the stained spots before start. Thoroughly spray the entire stain using the spray.

Use another cloth to blot the stains to eliminate the ink completely. Wash the treated garment with warm water.

10. Heavy-Duty Makeup Extermination

Nail polish remover is one powerful agent to dissolve the inks. However, you must stay cautious about the fabric’s reaction to its use.

Colorfast Ink Removal

• Nail Polish Remover
• Lukewarm Water

Apply a small amount on the inner seam or hidden portion first. It should let you understand the cloth’s colorfastness.

Keep the stained spots under other clean, white clothes. Soak a cotton ball into the remover to blot the stains.

Immediately remove the underlying cloth to avoid further transference. Continue blotting to make the stains disappear.

11. Simple Glycerin Stain Treatment

The combo actually works great on oil-based ink marks on your clothes. It specifically suffices cotton & polyester items alongside several other fabrics.

Oil-Based Ink Removal

• Glycerin
• Detergent
• Water

Lay the stained garment over a towel to soak the stain in cold water. Directly apply the glycerin to settle for 10 – 15 minutes.

Add a few drops of mild liquid laundry detergent to the stained spots. Gently blot the area continuously until it suds up.

Rinse the spots using lukewarm water to dissolve the suds. Initiate dabbing instead of rubbing the stains on your garment.

Repeat the process several times to ensure complete stain removal. Use machine wash for the treated clothes as usual.

12. Removing High Pigment Ink Stains

Even an accidental spill from colored pens looks way more awkward. And you’re to settle for the recipe to revive the clothing freshness.

Ammonia – Soap Mix

• 1 Tsp Clear Ammonia
• 2 Tsp Laundry Detergent
• 2 Cup cold Tap Water

Mix the ingredients properly to directly pour into the stains. Allow the solution to work on the spots for 5 – 10 minutes.

Rinse the spots with cold water to check the progress. Continue applying after every rinse to ensure complete removal.

13. Ink Stains After Laundry Drying

Not everyone notices the stain on cleanup to take remedial measures. You may even get to detect visible ink spills after completing a laundry dry. That’s where you need to initiate the method to fade the somewhat permanent stains.

Pre-Treatment for Ink Stains

• Surfactant Stain Remover
• Lukewarm Tap Water
• Alcohol-Based Liquid
• Liquid Laundry Detergent

Test the stain remover in an inconspicuous area to confirm its usability. Remover to contain surfactants does great work on oil-based inks.

Apply the stain remover directly to leave the garment for 15 minutes. Handwash the cloth in lukewarm water with a laundry detergent.

Soak a cotton ball or soft cloth in the alcoholic liquid formula. Consider hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, hairspray, or nail polish remover.

Continue dabbing the stained spots to remove the ink completely. Rinse the cloth using cold water to wash as usual for natural drying.

Key Factors to Treat Ink Stains

• Attend the ink stains for removal as fast as possible in viable methods. Delay will start setting the ink inside the fabric.
• Skip using bleach on any clothing fabric without confirmation. Don’t ever mix bleach with ammonia in any DIY project.
• Prefer dabbing to rubbing when it comes to removing stains. Don’t leave the recipe or cloth for long to avoid penetration.
• Combine the fabric requirement with ink type for the best result. Contact the brand to know further about ink dissipation.
• Set the maximum heating level for fabric in a washing machine. It’ll effectively erase the residual trace of removed stains.

Final Words

No need to lose your hope or give up your favorite clothes due to ink stains You must figure out the fabric type to match the ink specs for effective removal. The rest should become incredibly simple with any of the methods discussed above.