Ever wondered how to get ink stains out of clothes once you’ve found them? The methods below help get rid of even old stains. I also use this method to treat ink stains on the lining of my purse when I forget to put the cap back on my pen.
How To Get Ink Stains Out Of Clothes
It’s happened to all of us. Just the other day I tucked a ballpoint pen in the pocket of my favorite pink hoodie without putting on the cap. Sure enough, I found an ink stain on it when I was doing the wash.
My family is prone to ink stains, so I keep the ingredients below on hand. Now you’ll know what to keep in stock, too.
Why Does Ink Stain Clothes?
Ink isn’t just coloring — it’s an oil-based dye delivery system. That means you’re not removing the dye — you’ve also got to tackle the oil-base, too.
The type of chemical bond between the ink and your clothing depends on whether you’ve laundered the item.
A Laundry Tip to Stop Stains from Setting
As with most laundry stains, it’s easier to get ink stains out of clothes when the spot is fresh. That’s why your grandma inspected every item of clothing as she dropped them into the machine.
Life is a lot busier these days, though. One way to make dealing with stains easier is by keeping a stain-treatment stick or spray next to your dirty clothes hamper. Swipe or spray spots on your clothes as you get undressed then chuck them in the basket. On laundry day, your stains will come right out because they’ve been pre-treated.
Why Hairspray Does Not Get Ink Stains Out
It used to be that you could use hairspray to remove ink, but modern hairsprays tend to be low-alcohol.
Know what does have a lot of rubbing alcohol in it still? Hand sanitizer! So, in a pinch, give it a try. Just remember that added fragrances, moisturizers, and colorings may make the problem worse. (Here are more great uses for hand sanitizer.)
How to Get Fresh Ink Stains Out of Clothes
When dealing with new ink spots, the dye’s oil hasn’t had a chance to bond with your clothing yet. That makes it much easier to get ink stains out of clothes when the spot hasn’t chemically bonded to the fabric.
1. Blot up as much ink as possible. To do this, use a paper towel or old white rag and press against the ink stain. Lift the cloth, rotate it, then use a clean area to blot the stain again. Repeat this process until you can’t get any more ink out.
It’s important not to rub or wipe while you’re doing this or you may cause the stain to spread.
2. Place the stained area flat on an old towel or brown paper bag. Dip a clean cloth into rubbing alcohol (methylated or surgical spirits in the U.K.) until it’s wet and dab the stain. As before, rotate the rag, so you’re always using a clean section.
Again, don’t rub or wipe or you’ll risk spreading the ink — the goal is to transfer the ink from your clothing to the rag.
3. Once you’ve done your best dabbing the stain, launder it on the hottest setting the fabric can handle. After washing, make sure there’s no stain left before you transfer the item to the dryer.
If the stain remains, try the method below to get ink stains out of clothes.
How to Remove Old Ink Stains from Clothes
Getting an old ink stain out of clothes is more difficult because the oil-based part of the dye has chemically bonded to your clothing. It’s still possible, though. Here’s how.
1. Try the method above first — it often removes even older ink stains.
2. If the stain persists, head to the pharmacy (or the healthcare section in your grocery store) for a bottle of plain glycerin. Glycerin is made from animal fat and vegetable oil. It helps dissolve the oil-based bond because, chemically, like dissolves like. While you’re there, pick up some non-chlorinated, oxygenated bleach (e.g., OxyClean) for the next step.
3. Make an ink-dissolving paste. Combine one tablespoon of glycerin, one tablespoon of oxygenated bleach, and one teaspoon of liquid dish detergent in a small bowl. I use Dawn Original for the liquid dish detergent because it’s fantastic at cutting through the oil-based grime.
4. Dip a cloth into the mixture and dab both sides of the stain. Let the paste sit for 5 minutes then launder in the hottest setting permitted by the manufacturer label. Inspect the item before drying and repeat if necessary.
No laundry facilities at home? If you live in an apartment or don’t have a washer and dryer available for immediate use, you can hand-wash the item after step #4. Or pop it into a clear plastic bag (not an old shopping bag, which has dyes that might transfer) and stash it in your freezer until laundry day.
An Ounce of Prevention
Since it’s much easier and more efficient to get ink stains out of clothing when they’re fresh, you might want to consider keeping a bottle of colorless hand sanitizer in your purse, desk, or car. It’s alcohol-based, so you can treat ink stains with a dab of hand sanitizer and tissue the instant they happen.
Or go ahead and get that pocket protector. They’re inexpensive and work great!
More How-Tos:
Neither method worked for me. I hate spending money on solutions that don’t work…
Hi Sarah,
I’m sorry you didn’t have any luck with this.
My husband leaves pens in his clothes ALL . THE . TIME !!! I tell him it’s not my job to check his pockets … I do a million other jobs besides laundry – I refuse to check pockets too.
The ball points don’t hurt, but the Uniballs? UGH. THAT just wiped out a whole load of lights. I’ll be trying at least one, if not all of your suggestions.
Thanks so much.
Hi Kim,
How’d it work with the Uniball ink?
I am trying to get ink out of a wool coat. So can’t wash. Any suggestions?
I’d recommend taking it to a dry-cleaner.
My stain is FROM the blue dawn liquid – any tips on how to get THAT out? 🙂
Oh dear. I think I’d soak it in a 50-50 solution of warm water and white vinegar overnight, then rinse and launder it.
My daughter was washing her clothes and the person who used water and dryer before her left a pen in it and it exploded on her clothes when she washed them. She didn’t see it when she put in drier. Found after they were dry. Will the steps work for her
They might, but it sounds like she’s got a lot of clothes that were affected. In that case, I’d pick up a bottle of Shout and spray the stains, let them sit for 15 minutes, and wash them. Check to make sure the stains are gone before drying again. Any little stains left can be treated with rubbing alcohol then the item washed again.
I tried this and it did not work for the ink stains I wanted to remove from white pants
If the pants are white, use bleach.
I’m having a crisis ???? does anyone know what I can use to get an ink stain out of my shirt I was filling out my dental forms in dental office an the pen they gave me to use it busted an got on my shirt I just bought yesterday PLEASE HELP ME!!!!????
That’s kind of the ENTIRE point of this article. Have you tried the steps yet?
Oh gosh thanks. I have a very detailed embroidery piece that I have invested at least 12-15 hours worth of work into already and came back only to find that my toddler had taken a pen and marked right across the fabric. It was so disheartening! I’m going to try your tips (though laundering will be quite tricky as it’s a delicate piece of work). Thank you!
Oh my goodness, that must have been heartbreaking!
Found a shirt with multiple neon pink ink stains on it, my favorite shirt ever but it got lost in a box. Its probably been like that for three weeks but hasnt been washed since it was clean when i put it in the box, would this still help? Like i have pictures and i cant get this shirt again the company doesnt make em anymore
Yes, it should help.
Great tips – gave me an idea to use nail polish remover as a solvent – similar ingredient to rubbing alcohol – acetone rather than ethanol – worked brilliantly ????
Glad to know you found a solution that works!
I am a cook and i have to have a pen with me at all times. Today I left my pen in my arm pocket and washed my WHITE chefs coat. Thank you for this tip you might have just saved my job or me a lot of money!!!!! ????????????
It’s hard enough keeping a chef’s coat white! Glad to have helped with the ink stain.
Life saving! My boyfriend has a huge habit of leaving pens in his pocket and washing them. I’ve been able to save every article of clothing that was affected!!!
Glad to hear it!
I tried the method for old ink stains and it didn’t even take even a little of the ink out. I followed the instructions to a T. Any other ideas?
Sorry, I’m out of ideas. This has worked for most people who’ve tried it. What kind of ink was it?
Thank you.
I’ve got a few ink stains I need to get out! I usually use the rubbing alcohol or acetone method, but I’m thinking I want to try the glycerin method since it’s not so drying on the hands. 🙂
It’s easier on clothing, too!
I need to try this. My husband is great for getting ink stains on his shirts. I can’t tell you how many shirts I have thrown away.
Bev
I used to throw out too many, too, Bev. Hope you find this useful!
I have this ridiculous habit of crossing my arms while holding a pen at work. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve come home with ink on my clothes. Thanks for the tips.
You’re welcome!
So interesting and useful! I have a few things that could use that!
Ink stains do seem to be common, don’t they?
Thanks for this info and the tips on removing ink stains. I have a son that is a waiter and sometimes leaves a pen in his pants pocket – what a mess. I read in my stain book about the alcohol and that did work some but didn’t know about using hairspray or the other stain mix you mentioned. Pinned the info so I can refer back if I need it again.
Thanks for Pinning it, Kimberlee. I hope it helps!
Absolutely love these tips! Thank you! I just got black pen ink on a pair of cream/gold threaded pants in court yesterday and almost cursed out loud. I will be trying these…your post is right on time.
Hope they helped, Regina!
I can do all of the steps above except for hottest water due to I have colored shirts & they will shrink in hot water, so will this work with cold water?
The idea is to use the hottest setting the fabric can handle, so if yours needs to be washed in cold water then use that. 🙂