How to Get Ink out of a Shirt

Whether a pen leaked while you were writing or you managed to wash a pen in the pocket of your jeans, ink is tough to get out. Some inks are easier to remove than others, and unfortunately, there are some that never come out. Before you resort to replacing the shirt, though, give these ink stain removal steps a try. With some perseverance and a little luck, your favorite shirt might just come out as good as new.

Things You'll Need

• Absorbent white cloths
• Rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover or hair spray
• Stain pretreatment
• Laundry detergent
• Bleach (optional)

Instructions

1. Lay the shirt out on a clean, white, absorbent cloth such as a towel, cloth diaper or paper towels.

2. Blot the stain with another clean, white, absorbent cloth--if the ink stain is still wet. If the ink has already dried, skip this step.

3. Pour rubbing alcohol or fingernail polish remover--or spray alcohol-based hair spray--directly onto the shirt, saturating the stain.

4. Blot the saturated stain with a clean, white, absorbent cloth.

5. Rinse the shirt in cold water.

6. Apply a stain remover (such as Shout or Spray 'N Wash) to any remaining stain and allow it to sit for at least 5 minutes.

7. Wash the shirt in the washing machine with laundry detergent and hot water. If the shirt is all white, add 1/4 to 3/4 cup bleach to the wash water.

8. Be sure the stain is completely removed before drying the shirt. If not, repeat the above steps.

Tips & Warnings

• If possible, treat the ink stain before it dries. This will make the stain removal easier.

• Permanent ink is just that--permanent. It may never come out.

• Alcohol and nail polish remover may be harsh on some fabrics. If you are concerned about it, test these chemicals in an inconspicuous area first.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish