20 answers

Ink Stains on Shirt

I'm sure this has been asked along the way, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. I'm babysitting my 21 month old grandson and he was drawing with an ink pen. All of a sudden I noticed that the pen was leaking! I was able to just wipe off the ink (at least almost all of it) from his skin, but there's also ink on his shirt. It's 100% cotton, if that makes a difference. I feel bad that the shirt may be ruined. I'm sure there's something out there to get the ink out, but I don't want to put anything on it without some advice so I don't ruin it. Any advice would be great!

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I've always been good at getting stains out but have never had to get ink out.
I've tried the alcohol, rubbing with a toothbrush, then some Dawn dishsoap. Almost all of the ink has come out, but I think I need to do this routine a couple more times. I haven't washed it in the washer yet, I've only let it dry on the counter by itself.
Thanks again!

Featured Answers

If you have not already gotten it wet, hair spray will get it out. I have used this method A LOT on things. Water however will set the ink into the material.

Good Luck!

You just want to spray the ink stain with hair spray before you wash it. The cheaper the hair spray, the better (aquanet, rave, etc.). Good luck!

More Answers

Was gonna say my son just wrote on his khaki pants with ink and hairspray took it out. I sprayed it.......let it sit a few and it started to run then rinsed it. It will come out

Before you wash or anything, spray liberally with hair spray. May need to rub the clothing together with the hair spray on a bit. Do not be afraid to use lots of hair spray. This really works! I had a white sweatshirt with ink all over the back and my grandmother told me about the hair spray. It came out. Good luck.

I haven't tried the hairspray or rubbing alcohol. What I use for tough stains is Goo Gone. You'll find it at Meijer's where the laundry supplies are (baskets, hangers etc.). You may want to have some at home for any other stains in addition to ink. It works great and doesn't harm the fabric. I won't use anything else!

Everyone will tell you hairspray...which works well but it's the alcohol in it that cuts the ink. Dab some on, you'll see the ink start to run...then wash as usual. It may take a couple of tries...but don't dry it until the stain is gone. BTW...if it's gel ink, nothing will take it out!

~L.

You just want to spray the ink stain with hair spray before you wash it. The cheaper the hair spray, the better (aquanet, rave, etc.). Good luck!

hairspray gets out ink. just spray it on, dab it a little, and then spray more to saturate the area. can't make any promises, i've never had a really bad ink stain, but when i've accidently brushed a pen on my shirt or pants at work,it works. somethign with the alcohol in it.

Put an old towel down on your table and lay the shirt on top. Flush stain with lots of water. This will dilute the stain on the shirt and the towel will absorb it. I use dawn dishsoap as a stain remover and it gets almost everything out. I use a toothbrush to scrub in the soap and then flush with water.

Spray hairspray on the stain and then wash, check the stain before putting it in the dryer to make sure the stain is completely out. If the stain is really bad you may need to repeat with hairspray and wash again. (Aqua Net hairspray works for me)
ML

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