How to Remove Indelible Ink From Clothing

Uh Oh!

Removing indelible ink from clothing can be difficult, especially if the stain is set. When possible, immediately begin working to remove the stain once you get it on your clothing. Hopefully, the article isn't white. The lighter the fabric, the more difficult it can be to lessen the appearance of the stain.

Things You'll Need

• Clean white or light-colored towels/rags
• Soda water
• Baking soda
• Rubbing alcohol
• Hairspray
• Gel or stick stain remover
• Laundry detergent
• Washing machine

Instructions

1. 

   Make sure you have white or light-colored towels handy.

   Before you get started, place a white towel or rag underneath the stain on the inside of your clothing so that you won't spread the stain to the other side.

2. 

   Soda water.

   Pour soda water over the stain and sprinkle baking soda until the stain is completely covered. The more baking soda you use the better, as the baking soda will soak up the stain. Let sit for 30 minutes, then use another white towel to rub the stain from the fabric.

3. 

   Use a cotton ball or swab with rubbing alcohol.

   If baking soda and soda water did not work, try rubbing alcohol. Dip a cotton ball or a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol and try and work the stain out. If it is not beginning to lessen the appearance of the stain, move on to the next step.

4. 

   Ink stain.

   Spray the stain with hairspray and let it sit for about a minute. Then, using a clean towel or rag dipped in hot water, try and work out the stain. Hairspray can be an effective way to remove stains, even difficult ones like indelible ink.

5. 

   After you apply stain remover, wash clothing with hot water.

   If none of these home remedies work, try using a powerful stain remover. Follow the directions on the stick or packaging. Usually, you'll want to leave the stain remover on for a while, and with indelible ink you might consider doubling the stain remover instructions. Wash in the hot water cycle and, hopefully, your stain will disappear.

Tips & Warnings

• For stain removers, try Tide-to-Go or OxiClean.

• The longer the stain sets on clothing, the more difficult it will be to remove. These steps might lessen the appearance of stains, but indelible ink is very difficult to remove completely.

References

• Cornell University: Removing Stains at Home

Resources

• Tide: Tide Solution for Ink Stains