How to Get Rid of Pen Ink Stains

Have you ever experienced walking with your head held high, carrying around that ink pen, thinking that the lid was on, only to find ink stains all over your shirt?  No matter how careful you are, pen ink stains can happen anytime. Knowing how to get rid of these stains will not help you save an embarrassing day, but can also help you save your favorite shirt from ruin. Here are some tips to undo pen ink stains easily.

Getting Rid of Ink Stains from Clothing and Carpets

Foremost, make sure to check all the labels first to find out if your items are washable. If not, it is always better to bring them to the dry-cleaners. Here are some things you can do by yourself:

1. Saturate the stained part using an alcohol-based hair spray. Hairspray can remove ink stains because the product contains alcohol. The technique can be used on clothing, but may also work well on stained carpet and furniture.
2. Put some paper towels or a clean cloth underneath the garment and allow it to absorb the stains.
3. Dab it dry. Avoid rubbing the towel against the item to prevent stain from spreading into its adjacent area.
4. For persistent stains, repeat steps 1 and 2 using an alcohol based nail polish remover instead of hairspray.
5. If stain persists, damp the item in whole-fat milk and leave it overnight and then launder as usual.  Make sure you remove the stains completely before putting it in the dryer.
6. If all else fails, take the garment to a dry cleaning professional.

You can also use a small amount of cream toothpaste to remove ink stain on clothing. Just put pea-sized toothpaste directly on the stained area and then work on it. Rinse the garment under cool water and then launder as you normally do. Repeat the process if necessary.

Tip: You should avoid strong ink-removal products on sensitive fabrics and clothing items. In addition, you should apply any cleansing product on a small hidden area of the garment first before applying it thoroughly onto the stained area to ensure it won’t damage your item.

Removing Ink Stains from Surfaces

Harder surfaces require a different pen ink-stain removal technique. Regular cleaning products such as your usual degreaser or kitchen cleanser can’t usually do the trick. Make use of a commercial ink remover from your local store. If not, try to soak the stained area with a few drops of ammonia. Scrub it gently, then rinse and dry.

Tip: You can also use a paint thinner or denatured alcohol. However, you should be extremely careful in applying these products into your countertops, wood flooring and painted wall as these can damage some surfaces. Try applying the product in a discreet area to determine its compatibility with the surface.

The abovementioned methods may take several tries before you completely get rid of the stains. Just put a little work so you can wear your favorite shirt again. Also, when dealing with stains like pen ink stains remember that hot water will set the stain onto the fabric and make it almost impossible to lift off.