How to Preserve Ink on Cloth

Some ink stains should be preserved.

Whether it's your own T-shirt design, a friend's message on your uniform from the last game of the school year or a sports star's autograph on your favorite top, this is not an ink stain you want to wash off. Rather than refusing to put the item in the laundry ever again, preserve your cloth's ink with a few simple techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Clear fabric paint

Instructions

1. Paint over the ink with clear fabric paint to create a film that protects the ink when the garment is being washed. Reapply the clear fabric paint after every few washes, as it will gradually come off.

2. Iron the inked area of your clothing. Alternatively, put the item of clothing into a dryer on the highest setting for 30 minutes. The heat helps preserve the ink in the cloth.

3. Hand wash your clothing item in cool water to focus most of the scrubbing attention away from the inked area of your clothing.

References

• Fibers: How to Preserve Your Autographed T-Shirt
• Fibers: How Can I Draw on a T-Shirt?