How to Remove Ink Stains from Clothes



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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