We’ve all been there: you’re getting dressed up for date night or an evening out with friends, and you grab your favorite article of clothing for an easy, one-and-done outfit. You add in accessories (shoes, jewelry, and your go-to bag), and just as you’re about to leave, you check your ensemble in a full-length mirror. That’s when you see it: a huge ink stain sitting smack dab in the front of the garment. Whether it’s black, blue, or red ink, or created with a ballpoint or rollerball pen, sometimes the unwelcome splatters just refuse to leave. Not to worry: you don’t have to part with your beloved fashion item just because of an unfortunate blemish. So, how do you get ink stains out? There are different techniques, depending on the size and strength of the ink stain and the type of clothing. But trust us, it is totally doable.
Below are some of the best ways to get ink out of clothes.
How to Get Ink Out of Clothes
The good news is the removal of a small ink stain is an easy lift. Let’s say you get a stain from a ballpoint pen on a piece of clothing that’s easy to launder, such as a basic cotton T-shirt or your favorite worn-in jeans. For those, you’ll want to use rubbing alcohol.
Start by laying a paper towel beneath the fabric, then you can begin to flush out the mark with the alcohol. Use another paper towel or a sponge to blot out the stain. Make sure to cover every part of the stain and press the alcohol into the fabric until you can’t see the stain anymore. Let it soak in the alcohol for about 15 minutes before running the clothing under cold water. Apply stain remover, thoroughly rub it in, make sure the ink stain is completely gone, and throw the piece in the wash. When it’s done with its washing cycle, let it air-dry. Then the stain should be completely gone.
Rubbing alcohol also works to remove stains from leather (just in case a loose pen swipes up against your favorite purse).
