Removing Ink from Clothing

Updated on July 25, 2008
B.B. asks from Du Bois, PA
14 answers

Does anybody have any ideas on how to safely remove ink from clothing? My 15 month old son snagged an ink pen the other day and drew a beautiful design all over his shorts.

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T.R.

answers from Philadelphia on

hairspray works wonders try a non aresol brand any will do. Rub in and blot dy untill it is gone then wash the stickyness will come out with soap and water.

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R.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi Becky, I was told that hairspray works and I have found that is does. If the clothes are white then I would say bleach if you wanted to try that. Don't you just love when the wee ones get into things they shouldn't it is just so much fun. HAHA!! Good luck! R. C

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B.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

you could use hair spray on a paper towel and blot don't rub, if that does not work I once had to find ink remover from a professional office supply store to get carbon paper ink out of an outfit

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S.K.

answers from Philadelphia on

The other thing I would suggest is Stain Devils. They are little yellow bottles usually found on the very top shelf in the laundry aisle. They make one for every type of stain there is & they were the only thing to get out some of my dd's nasty stains. I used them on really worn in tomato stains & got it right out. I've never used it for ink (we have a dry erase queen around here & nothing gets that out!) but I bet it works.

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S.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

Spray hairspray on the ink before washing - let it soak for just a little before.

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H.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I had success with Spray & Wash after my husband left a pen in his pants pocket and put them in the laundry. I found marks on all sorts of things - after going through the dryer.

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S.S.

answers from State College on

Take rubbing alchol and put it on the ink and rub clothing together to get it out. It will leave a little of the color still on it, but then I just spray it with whatever spray I have to treat clothes for stains and it comes out.

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C.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Spray the stains with hair spray and then wash in the hottest water tolerated by the fabric. This sounds strange, but it really works. I'm a teacher and end up with ink on clothing fairly regularly and this works as long as you do it before the item has been washed. If it has been washed already, it will not work.

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D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

try hairspray,it helps repel ink. i would also put some oxyclean on it also and let it sit there. hoepfully,it will come out.

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K.M.

answers from Johnstown on

Hairspray! Cover it in hairspray and throw it in the wash! Should come right out.

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K.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

Spray a little hairspray on the ink and rinse with cold water before washing. It usually takes the ink right out.

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K.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

Try some nonaerosol hairspray--I used white rain to get ink out of linen shirts and cotton ones. Just spray it on and blot. You should see it breaking down the ink as it seeps in to the garmet.
Not sure if it will work if you have already washed the shorts...
Good luck:)

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K.B.

answers from Lancaster on

I also would recommend using hairspray on the ink to remove it.

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D.L.

answers from Johnstown on

I work with a wellness company that has many great naturally made household cleaners. We have a product that can help with your ink stain. This stuff works so well, it takes perminent marker out of carpet, clothing, etc. It will not harm your clothes, or fade them in any way. And should your child ever happen to grab it and accidentally ingest any of it (or any of our other products for that matter), he will be perfectly fine! Our products do not have harmful toxins that can hurt or poison children and adults like those bought in the store. The most that would happen is a little bit of an upset tummy, but no need to rush them to the doctor or hospital. I have found that these products work better, and last longer, than any store brand I have ever bought in the past. I can give you more information on these products if you would like, just let me know.

D. L.

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