How to Get Ink Out of Denim

An ink stain could ruin your favorite pair of denim jeans.

The washing machine is a frequent perpetrator of ink stains bled by pens left in pockets -- an unpleasant surprise when jeans are removed from the washer. One or more steps of a progressive ink-removal technique can help bring your denim back to its unblemished state.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels
• Spray spot remover
• White washcloth
• Aerosol hair spray
• Nail polish remover

Instructions

1. Place paper towels under the denim item's ink stain. Spray the stain remover according to the manufacturer's directions, and blot the area with a dry white washcloth to remove as much ink as possible.

2. If the treatment was unsuccessful, place paper towels under the ink stain area and saturate it with hairspray until the denim is wet. Blot the area with the washcloth.

3. If the two previous treatments were unsuccessful, place paper towels under the ink stain and dampen a washcloth with nail polish remover. Daub the ink stain.

References

• "Heloise: Household Hints for Singles"; Heloise; Perigree Trade; 1993
• "Stain Removal: Your Really Useful Guide to Getting Rid of Stains"; Stephania Zia; Hamlyn; 2005