In today’s modern world, all of us
spend a huge amount of time and money over how we look. What we wear every day
is one of our prime concerns. Our desire is to wear the best in the most
elegant and graceful manner possible, whether it be a Gucci shirt, or a Versace
evening dress, or a pair of jeans by Guess, or Dior trousers. If there is one
thing that can ruin your best day and dress in a matter of seconds, that is
ink. Just one little drop on your newly brought dress, and in a matter of
seconds, it forms a large stain, embarrassing you in front of your guests,
colleagues or boss.
Although ink stains can be stubborn, and
getting rid of them is not an easy task, you do not need to dispose of the
shirt or dress that you liked so much. These stains can be removed if treated
correctly. Instead of throwing away your expensive, ink stained clothing, you
can try one of the methods outlined below on your garment to get rid of the
stain, and ride in style again. The key to removing an ink stain is to draw the
stain out, rather than scrubbing it.
Before
treating the ink stain, keep the following things in mind:
·
Fresh
Ink Stains are easier to remove rather than stains that have had time to set
in. Treat the stain as soon as you can. If you just dropped ink on your shirt,
quickly grab a paper towel and press it firmly against the stain. The paper
towel will absorb the excess ink, and prevent it from spreading all over the
garment. Do not wipe, rub, scrub or blot. These methods can enlarge the stain
rather than preventing it from enlarging.
·
Change
the paper towel if it gets completely soaked in ink. Keep pressing till the
paper towel absorbs no more ink. The stain will now be easier to remove.
·
Always
keep a paper towel under the ink stained clothing so that the ink does not
transfer to the surface below.
·
Read
the label of the ink stained garment before treating the stain. The label may
stop you from using a certain ingredient on that shirt. If it states dry clean
only, you may have to take the dress to a professional cleaner to get rid of
the stain.
·
Always
test the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of the dress. Different
materials react to the same solution in different ways. Apply a drop of the
solution on a small patch, and let it remain for 2 minutes. Rinse the patch in
plain water. If the fabric discolors, do not use the cleaning solution on that
material.
After that, proceed in one of the
following ways.
Method One (Using Dishwashing Detergent and
Hairspray)
Hairspray
is not just for the hair, and dishwashing detergent is not only for the dishes!
Things that you will require:
·
Paper
towel
·
Hairspray
·
Bucket
·
Water
·
Dishwashing
detergent
·
White
vinegar (Not for cotton and linen)
Steps that you will need to take:
1.
Place
the ink stained garment on a hard surface covered with paper towel. Grab your
bottle of hairspray, and spray it directly on the ink stain. The stain should
be saturated in hairspray.
2.
Fill
a bucket with water, and add half a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent per quart
of water.
3.
Soak
the clothing in the bucket, and leave it there for half an hour.
4.
If
the garment is not cotton or linen, add a tablespoon of white vinegar in the
solution as well. White vinegar works on materials such as nylon and polyester.
5.
Rinse
the ink stained garment thoroughly in plain water.
6.
Hang
it out to dry.
7.
The
stain should have disappeared, making your dress look as good as new!
Method Two (Using Rubbing Alcohol)
Things that you will require:
·
Rubbing
Alcohol
·
Clean,
soft rags or cotton swabs
·
Water
Steps that you will need to take:
1.
Firstly,
to apply rubbing alcohol to your ink stained shirt, take a clean, soft rag or
cotton swab, and apply rubbing alcohol to it.
2.
Now,
blot the stain with the rag or swab. The alcohol will loosen the stain, and ink
will start transferring to the swab. Keep dabbing till the alcohol dries out.
3.
To
get rid of the alcohol on your garment, take another clean rag or swab, dip it
in cold water, and dab the stained area.
4.
Let
the garment dry.
5.
Stubborn
stains will require many applications. Once the stain has dried, dip another
cotton swab in rubbing alcohol, and apply it to the stain. Repeat the above
steps till the stain disappears. Since rubbing alcohol works best on dry
fabric, you must let the stain dry before applying more rubbing alcohol on it.
6.
Wash
your dress as normal.
7.
Alternatively,
you may also rinse the whole garment in rubbing alcohol, and then wash it as
normal. However, this has the potential of discoloring the fabric if left in a
bucket of rubbing alcohol for too long.
Method Three (Using Ammonia and Dishwashing
Detergent)
Things that you will require:
·
Bucket
·
Water
·
Dishwashing
detergent
·
Ammonia
Steps that you will need to take:
1.
To
get rid of the ink stains on your shirt or trousers, you first need to make
your cleaning solution. Grab a bucket, and fill it with a quart of water.
2.
Now,
add half a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent per quart of water. Furthermore,
add one tablespoon of ammonia to the solution. Mix all three ingredients.
3.
Put
your ink stained garment in the bucket containing this solution for half an
hour.
4.
Empty
the solution from the bucket after half an hour, and fill it with plain water.
5.
Rinse
the ink stained garment thoroughly in plain water.
6.
Let
the dress dry completely before putting it back inside the cupboard.
Method Four (Using Glycerin)
Glycerin
is most effective when used to remove ink stains from knitwear.
Things that you will require:
·
Glycerin
·
Container
·
Cotton
swab or sponge
·
Water
·
Mild
detergent
·
Ammonia
(If required)
Steps that you will need to take:
1.
Before
you apply glycerin on to the stained area, pour as much as you need in a
container and warm it to lukewarm temperature.
2.
Now,
apply the glycerin on to the stained area with a cotton swab or sponge, and
leave it in place for a few minutes. Glycerin will loosen the stain.
3.
Rinse
the garment in plain water, and wash it as normal with a mild detergent.
4.
You
can also add a few drops of ammonia to glycerin if the stain acts too stubborn.
However, do not leave it on the fabric for too long.
Method Five (Using Hairspray and Bleach)
Hairspray
and bleach are best used for red ink stains.
Things that you will require:
·
Hairspray
·
Cotton
swabs or rags
·
Bowl
·
Water
·
Powdered
bleach
Steps that you will need to take:
1.
Grab
a bottle of hairspray, and spray it directly on the stain. The stain should be
saturated in hairspray. Leave it in place for 1 to 2 minutes.
2.
Next,
take a cotton swab or a clean rag, and dab at the stain. Keep dabbing till the
stain fades away.
3.
Pour
1 part water in a bowl, and add 1 part powdered bleach to it. Mix thoroughly to
make a paste.
4.
With
the help of a cotton swab or rag, and apply the paste to the stain.
5.
Take
the fabric in your hands, and rub it together a little so that the paste
settles. Leave it in place for 15 minutes.
6.
Wash
your clothes as normal, and let them dry completely.
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