How to remove an ink stain from fabric? A pen leaking into the trouser pocket, an ink stain on the fabric sofa, it is important to act quickly!
Although it may be difficult to remove, here are my top tips and tricks for removing an ink stain.
1. Absorb ink with quickly
The first thing to do is to clean the ink stain as quickly as possible! So if the ink stain is fresh here is what to do:
- Absorb as much of the ink as possible with an absorbent paper (paper towel).
- If there is still ink, dab the stain with a cotton ball soaked in lemon juice.
- Repeat until the ink stain is almost gone and finish machine cleaning.
Be careful not to press too hard with the paper towel because you risk staining the fabric even more deeply with ink. Gently dab the stain.
Regardless of the type of ink, you have to act quickly!
This is also the case with a simple ballpoint pen, you have to act quickly to clean everything! Here is an article about it: How to remove ballpoint pen from clothing?
2. Remove ink with baking soda and vinegar
Well now I share with you my best trick to easily remove an ink stain on fabric… Baking soda and white vinegar!
- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with white vinegar.
- Soak the ink stain in this solution and leave for 1-2 hours before ending with a machine wash.
You can also fill a basin with this solution or the sink to soak the ink-stained garment directly in it.
3. Spray hairspray on the ink stain
Hairspray or if you prefer hairspray is something that works well on ink stains on fabric as well.
Here’s how to detach fabric with this product:
- Place a paper towel under the stain (under the tablecloth or inside the sweater or jeans, for example).
- Spray the hairspray directly onto the ink until the stain is thoroughly soaked in hairspray.
- Dab (gently rub) with a damp cloth (with water).
- Repeat the steps until the blue ink stain is completely gone.
- Clean the garment or fabric in the washing machine to complete the trick.
4. Make an ink stain disappear with milk
A great trick from grandma that also works quite well against ink stains on fabric is milk!
Here are the steps to do this trick well:
- Heat or rather warm some milk and soak the ink stain.
- Dab and gently rub the stain with a clean cloth to remove as much of the ink as possible.
- Soak the garment in a bowl and new milk for 1-2 hours.
- Complete the stain removal in the washing machine.
Voila, the ink stain should be completely gone once the garment comes out of the machine!
5. Other tips for removing ink stained fabric
If the ink stain is very stubborn and embedded in the fabric then here are some other tips and products that can be tried to clean this stain.
- Using rubbing alcohol: On wool, concoct a mixture of 1/3 methylated spirit and 2/3 water. Then pour some on a pad and quickly dab your ink stain.
- Use 90 degree alcohol: Pour a little alcohol at 90 degrees on the ink stain if it is very stubborn. Note that you can only do this if your fabric is white.
- Using lemon juice and salt: For an ink stain on jeans, pour a little lemon juice with salt on the stain and rub.
- Rub with toothpaste the ink: Still for jeans, rub your ink stain with toothpaste. Then rinse the jeans to finish.
6. Ink stain on leather
If you have just noticed an ink stain on leather then don’t panic, here is a solution to quickly remove this nasty stain.
- Pour a little moisturizer for the face on a small cotton ball and pour a few drops of white vinegar on it.
- Then rub the ink stain with the pad, taking care to make circular movements.
- Rub again with a slightly damp cloth and dry the leather to finish.
If you are instead looking for a way to remove felt from wood or clothing, visit this link instead: Remove a spot of felt.