Things You'll Need
Bucket
Milk
White toothpaste
Aerosol stain remover
Oxygen bleach
Laundry detergent
Signing your name on teammates' jerseys with Sharpie permanent markers is a rite of passage at the end of the season or event. But Sharpie stains that accidentally mark up your favorite jersey spell trouble. Permanent ink is difficult to remove, especially because it soaks into the fabric. When you act quickly and use the right supplies and stain removal techniques, you can remove the Sharpie stains from your jersey in time for the next game.
Step 1
Place the Sharpie-stained jersey in a bucket. Cover the affected areas of the jersey with milk. Allow the jersey to soak in the milk overnight.
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Step 2
Remove the jersey from the bucket of milk. Rinse the fabric with cool water and wring it out.
Step 3
Lay the jersey on a flat work surface with the Sharpie stain facing up. Squirt white toothpaste onto the remaining stain to cover it. Rub the toothpaste into the ink. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
Step 4
Rinse the jersey to remove the toothpaste. Spray aerosol petroleum-based stain remover on the ink stain. Let it soak into the marker stains for 10 minutes.
Step 5
Soak the jersey in a solution made with 1/2 cup of oxygen bleach and 1 gallon of warm water. Allow the jersey to remain submerged in the bleach mixture for 30 minutes.
Step 6
Launder your jersey in warm water, using laundry detergent and oxygen bleach. Before allowing it to air-dry, make sure the Sharpie stains are completely removed. Repeat these steps to remove any remaining ink stain.
Warning
Nail polish remover or acetone is often recommended to remove ink and marker stains but can damage nylon fabric. Because most jerseys are made with nylon, avoid using these stain removal techniques.
Tackle a marker stain quickly before it has time to set in the fabric.
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