How to Remove Ballpoint Pen Ink Stains From Fabric

Ink stains on clothing is something most people have to deal with at one point or the other. Ink can be pretty tough to get out, but most ballpoint pen ink stains come out with lots of persistence and patience. Test on similar scraps of fabric before proceeding.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper towels
• Clean cloth
• Hair Spray
• Terry Cloth Washcloths
• Sponges
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Nail Polish Remover
• Laundry Pretreatment
• Liquid Bleach

1. 

   Sponge the stain with water to remove as much ink as possible.

2. Allow the spot to dry.

3. 

   Set the affected area face down on a clean cloth or paper towels.

4. 

   Spray the back side of the stain with hairspray, or apply rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover.

5. 

   Blot the back side with a clean terry cloth washcloth to further remove as much ink as possible.

6. 

   Apply laundry pretreatment.

7. Wash in warm water.

8. Air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're left with only traces of a stain, consider using bleach to get it out.

[tracysmith159]

on 4/23/2009 some ink will come out after being dried.. but it is harder..

[tracysmith159]

on 4/23/2009 I've done this with just spraying the hair sprayed on my husband uniforms and rubbing it off with a cloth.. I have found that using the alchol and then hairspray was easier as less scrubby.

[babyjj89]

on 1/10/2009 will hairspray or rubbing alcohol work after the shirt has been washed, dried, and ironed?

[babyjj89]

on 1/10/2009 will hairspray or rubbing alcohol work after the shirt has been washed, dried, and ironed?

[spazzmatic]

on 12/7/2008 Thank you so much!! Just bought a $400 coach purse LAST NIGHT, and stupidly put a pen there today when I went to use it for the first time...got home and the damn pen had opened and scribbled ALL OVER my new purse!! And now it's all gone - hairspray totally did the trick!! :)