How to remove ink stains
Tis the season to swap phone screens and instant messages for handwritten Christmas cards and letters. But while your loved ones may appreciate the effort, your clothes may not. After all, with more pen-wielding episodes comes more opportunities for ink disasters - not to mention that ink stains are some of the toughest to remove, especially once they’ve set. That’s why we’ve compiled our inkredible how-to guide, so that you can remove even the most stubborn of ink stains from your favourite pieces.
Determine the ink type
Different ink stains require different Kair, so to treat the stain effectively, you need to know what type of ink you’re dealing with. The three most common are water-based, oil-based and alcohol-based ink. Water-based is the easiest to remove: you’ll find it in fountain and rollerball pens, as well as washable markers and gel pens. Oil-based includes ballpoint pens, and can be difficult to remove as it’s fast-drying. Alcohol-based is the type found in permanent markers. It’s the most difficult to remove, though luckily not impossible!
Water-based ink
Image source: Unknown
You can remove water-based stains using either water or milk, then spot-treating with some liquid detergent to finish. If you’re using milk, soak first in a bowl overnight.
1) Place an old but clean towel underneath the layer of fabric with the stain on it. It’s important not to let the stain bleed through to unstained areas of fabric.
2) Blot the water or milk onto the stain using a paper towel or cloth, gently pressing down on the towel (blotting will dilute the stain, and make it easier to remove).
3) Apply a little liquid detergent, such as one of our Signature Washes, directly to the stain, and leave it to sit for at least five minutes, taking care to dab rather than rub at the stain.
4) Rinse the garment several times under cool water before laundering as usual.
Oil-based ink
Image source: The Spruce
The best way to remove oil-based ink is through ethanol. It’s a common solvent - you’ve probably got some in the form of rubbing alcohol, or, post-pandemic, hand sanitiser.
1) Place an old but clean towel underneath the layer of fabric with the stain on it. It’s important not to let the stain bleed through to unstained areas of fabric.
2) Test the ethanol first by applying it to a hidden seam of the fabric. Only proceed to treating the affected area if there’s no apparent damage (like a visible mark).
3) Blot the ethanol onto the stain using a paper towel or cloth, gently pressing down on the towel (blotting will dilute the stain, and make it easier to remove).
4) Rinse the garment several times under cool water to remove all traces of ethanol.
5) Repeat the process of blotting and rinsing until no further ink is released from the fabric.
6) Spot-treat the area with liquid detergent before laundering, then wash and dry as usual.
Alcohol-based ink
Image source: Justin Howe
For alcohol-based ink stains, follow the ethanol method as above. For extra stain-fighting power, wet the stain with distilled white vinegar first, then create a paste with two parts vinegar and three parts cornstarch to work into the fabric. Let the paste dry, then rinse. Vinegar is an effective natural bleach, and will brighten any discoloured areas.
And if you want to know even more, check out our top tips for ink-stain removal success...
Top tips for ink-stain removal success
TIP #1: Fresh ink stains are the easiest to remove, so if you catch an ink stain before it dries, cover it with salt, then dab gently with a wet paper towel until the stain disappears.
TIP #2: Don’t wash and dry your garment before removing the stain, and always dab rather than rub the water or solvent in, to avoid setting the stain deeper into the fabric.
TIP #3: If the towel under the stained garment becomes wet and discoloured from the ink leaching out, move the garment to a clean, dry section of the towel to prevent the area from reabsorbing any of the ink (or use another towel, if necessary).
TIP #4: Don’t trust hairspray’s reputation for removing ink stains, as most of today’s sprays contain less ethanol than the old aerosols, so are unlikely to be effective.
TIP #5: Avoid using nail polish as a stain remover, as it can be harsh on clothing fibres and cause irreparable damage, especially to delicate fabrics like silk.
Now you know how to remove every kind of ink stain from your favourite pieces, you’ll be well-equipped to deal with whatever ill-timed inky disaster comes your way.
Cover Image Source: The Spruce
