Things You'll Need:
- Light colored absorbent cloths
- Hairspray
- Dish washing liquid
- Rubbing alcohol
- An old toothbrush
- Moist cleaning wipes
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Step 1
The best way to prevent the stain from spreading to other clothing items is to get as much of the stain out of the clothing item as possible.
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Step 2
Place a light colored cloth under the stain on the clothing item to absorb the stain. Dab the ink stain with a moist cleaning wipe to draw out as much of the ink stain as possible. Spray hairspray on the stain and continue to dab until the ink stain lightens.
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Step 3
As the stain lightens, spray a small amount of water onto the stain and use a cloth to absorb more of the stain from the clothing. Change the cloth under the item and spray the stain with water. Using a fresh cloth on top of the stain, put as much weight on the item as possible to force the stain out of the fabric and into the absorbent cloth. Do this until no more ink transfers from the stain onto the cloths.
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Step 4
For any stain that remains, squirt a small amount of dish detergent on the stain and scrub it with a toothbrush. Allow the stain to sit for an hour or so and then launder as usual. Do not wash the ink stained with other items that stain easily. Instead, wash the item with towels that you are not worried about staining. (Wash your ink stained cloths used for cleaning the stain separately).
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Step 5
Remove the item from the laundry and check for the stain. If any amount of stain remains, treat it hairspray or denatured alcohol, and launder it again. It may take up to 2 washes and treatments to remove a large ink stain. Stray pen marks should come off in one wash.
