How to Get a Pen Stain Out

Remove pen stains with rubbing alcohol.

Once an ink pen brushes against clothes it leaves an indelible blue, black or red stain in its wake. The properties in ink normally make it a steadfast and unyielding stain, yet with certain products and processes you can remove pen marks from fabric.

Things You'll Need

• White paper towel
• Cotton ball
• Rubbing alcohol
• Laundry detergent
• Stain removal spray
• Hairspray

Instructions

1. Fold a white paper towel into a small square. Place the paper towel on the underside of the pen stain on the fabric.

2. Moisten a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol. Dab the pen stain with the rubbing alcohol, turning the cotton ball as the ink lifts from the fabric. Continue working on the stain until the ink stops coming off the garment.

3. Pour 1 to 2 tbsp. laundry detergent onto the remaining pen stain. Grasp the fabric on each side of the stain and rub the detergent into it. Set the fabric aside overnight.

4. Spray an anti-stain cleaner on the pen stain. Place the fabric into the washer. Wash the fabric according to the care instruction label. Inspect the stain after washing. If the stain remains, spray hairspray onto the pen mark and wait 30 minutes. Repeat the washing process.

Tips & Warnings

• Test a hidden area on the fabric with the rubbing alcohol before placing on the stain.

• Dry the fabric in the dryer only after removing the pen mark.

References

• House Cleaning Central: Tips for Removing Ballpoint Ink Stains
• Stain-Removal-101.com: Ballpoint Ink Stain Removal - Removing Pen Stains