How to Use Rubbing Alcohol to Remove Marker Stains From Jeans

Marker stains are tough to remove, particularly permanent-marker stains, and whether it's black, blue or red, a marker stain will stand out conspicuously on a pair of blue jeans. However, there are few useful tricks to removing marker stains from clothing. Effective and conveniently simple, these techniques require only a few household items such as rubbing alcohol.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Cotton swabs
• Rubbing alcohol
• Laundry detergent or stain remover

Instructions

1. Place jeans face down on a layer of paper towels so that the stain is directly touching the towels.

2. Soak a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol.

3. Dab the swab on a hidden portion of the jeans to test the fabric, and ensure no color loss or damage occurs.

4. Blot the stain with rubbing alcohol until the stain is absorbed. Blot the underside of the stain, so that it is removed from the surface, rather than being pushed through the fabric. Note: always blot when removing stains. Don't scrub as this will just enmesh the stain further into the fibers of the fabric.

5. Replace paper towels as they absorb the stain, to prevent further staining.

6. Dab the stain with laundry detergent or laundry stain remover. Test the detergent or stain remover on a hidden portion of the jeans first, as advised above.

7. Rub fabric together to create a gentle lather.

8. Launder jeans in cold water according to care instructions on the label.

9. Check to see if the stain has been removed. If not, repeat process. Be sure the stain has lifted before you put jeans in the dryer.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, treat all stains while they are fresh, as set-in stains are far more difficult to remove.

• If you don't have access to rubbing alcohol, hairspray or anything alcohol-based should also work.

References

• Real Simple: How To Remove Ink Stains
• Thrifty Fun: Permanent Marker Stains on Clothing