How to Remove Permanent Marker From Polyester

Remove a permanent ink stain from polyester.

Permanent marker is meant to be permanent, so getting a stain out of fabric can be difficult. You should try to remove the ink stain as soon as possible. For instance, if you have a polyester shirt that a permanent ink pen accidentally leaked onto, you should rinse out the stain with rubbing alcohol before washing the garment. Make sure to follow the washing instructions from the garment label that is specific for polyester fabric.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Paper towels
• Cotton balls

Instructions

1. Rinse the stained area of a polyester garment with cold water to remove as much of the stain as possible.

2. Place the stained area of the garment face down on some paper towels.

3. Wet a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol. Rub the alcohol around the stained area, and then directly onto the stain (on the other side of the garment). The paper towels will begin to absorb the ink color.

4. Change paper towels and continue to rub alcohol on the stained garment. You want as much ink as possible to move to the paper towels.

5. Rinse the garment with water.

6. Wash the garment according to the washing instructions label on the polyester garment.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Remove Permanent Marker From Fabric
• Ohio State University: Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal
• Bio-ox: Clothing Stain Removal Tips