How to Get Ink Out of Clothes

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The best ways to remove stubborn ink from fabric

Co-authored by NW Maids and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: August 16, 2024 Fact Checked

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Unexpected ink stains put a splotchy damper on even the best day, but there are plenty of ways to get them out! Saving that beloved white tee or pricey evening gown depends on quick timing and careful work. We’ll show you how to treat those fresh stains before they can set (plus cover how to get rid of dried ink) with a number of different cleaning agents to remove ballpoint, permanent marker, felt tip, or even India ink.

Things You Should Know

Blot as much of the wet stain as possible with a clean white rag or a paper towel.
Soak or dab the stain in a cleaning agent like rubbing alcohol, baking soda, dish detergent, or white vinegar.
Wash the garment with color-safe bleach after dabbing away as much as you can.

1

Absorb as much of the stain as you can.

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Place the garment on a clean rag and blot both sides of the stain. Place a white cloth or rag in between the layers of fabric or underneath the garment to stop the stain from spreading. Then use a clean, disposable cloth or paper towel to absorb as much of the wet stain as possible. Use gentle dabbing motions instead of rubbing the stain, since rubbing may set the stain further into the fibers of the garment.Flip the garment and blot the other side, as well. Keep dabbing until you can’t lift any more ink from the stain. ^{[1]
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Research source}
- Use a white cloth to ensure that the color of the cloth doesn’t lift and further stain the garment you’re working on.

2

Use rubbing alcohol to bust permanent marker stains.

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Dab ballpoint, fountain, or felt-tip stains with rubbing alcohol. Dip a clean white cloth or sponge in rubbing alcohol, then begin dabbing at the stain, blotting it gently. ^{[2]
X
Expert Source

NW Maids
House Cleaning Service

Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Continue to blot until you’ve removed as much of the ink as you can.
- Don’t use rubbing alcohol on acetate, silk, wool, or rayon.
- Use rubbing alcohol to remove ink from polyester, especially.

3

Mix glycerin and dish detergent for a gentle treatment.

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Blot both sides of a dried stain with glycerin and dish detergent. Mix 1 tbsp (14.78 ml) of glycerin and 1 tsp (4.92 ml) of liquid dish detergent in a bowl. Dip a white cloth into the glycerin mixture and dab both sides of the stain until no more ink lifts. ^{[3]
X
Research source} After dabbing, let the garment sit for about 5 minutes. Then use your finger to apply more glycerin to the stain. Rinse the garment with cool water to remove the glycerin and soap.
- Glycerin helps saturate and break down dried stains, making it ideal for old ink stains.
- Use glycerin on most fabrics, including silk.

4

Make a baking soda paste to use on any fabric.

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Dab washable ink stains with a mixture of water and baking soda. Mix 2 parts baking soda and 1 part water in a small bowl to make a loose paste. Use a cotton ball to apply the paste onto the ink stain, then dab with the cotton ball. Once you’ve removed as much of the ink as possible, wipe off the paste with a clean cloth or paper towel. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Use baking soda as a mild detergent for most fabrics.
- Baking soda works best on washable inks, like ink from a ballpoint pen.

5

Soak the garment in white vinegar to treat linens.

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Place garments with India ink stains in a bowl of water and white vinegar. For tough stains or India ink, soak the entire garment in a solution of 1 qt (~1 L) of cool water and 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of white vinegar. While the garment soaks, gently blot the stain with a sponge or cloth every 10 minutes or so.
- Use this method for red or washable ink, or to remove ink stains from linen .
- Use this method on most fabrics, but check your garment’s care tag before use.

6

Use a dry-cleaning agent for a high-powered stain fighter.

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Blot stains on heavier fabrics with a commercial dry-cleaning agent. Commercial stain removers like Tide To Go pens and dry cleaning fluid target the tougher stains. ^{[5]
X
Expert Source

NW Maids
House Cleaning Service

Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} These products vary widely, so apply it according to the instructions on the package. Afterward, blot the stain with a clean cloth soaked in cool water.
- Use commercial stain removers to remove ink from denim or other heavy-duty fabrics.
- Many commercial-strength products remove clothing colors or dyes, so read the cautions on the packaging carefully before use.
- Use dry-cleaning agents for permanent marker or India ink stains.

7

Clean delicate fabrics with a milk bath.

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Soak water-based ink stains in milk for 5-10 minutes. Submerge the entire garment in a bowl of fresh milk, and let it sit. Blot the stain with a clean white rag every few minute to help loosen and lift the stain. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Use milk on almost any garment, especially delicate fabrics like 100% cotton, silk, or wool.
- Milk works best on water-based inks.

8

Spray the stain with hairspray to lift stubborn stains.

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Saturate felt-tip marker ink stains with alcohol-based hairspray. Hold the hairspray about a foot from the garment and spray the stained area evenly and generously with hairspray, thoroughly soaking the entire stain. After a minute, blot up the hairspray with a clean rag. ^{[7]
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Research source}
- Let the hairspray sit for a few minutes to give it time to break up the stain.
- Note that alcohol is the active cleaning agent in hairspray, and alcohol-free products won’t provide the same results.

9

Use leather cleaner on leather jackets or boots.

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Rub a commercial leather cleaner into ink stains on leather. Dip a clean cloth in a commercial leather cleaner , then use circular motions to rub the cleaner into the stain. Allow the spot to dry for 20-30 minutes, then wipe it with a clean cloth. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Note that ink soaks and sets into leather almost instantly, and so is often impossible to remove.
- Home remedies and other cleaners are likely to damage leather, so only use them if leather cleaner doesn’t work.

10

Run the fabric through the laundry after lifting the stain.

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Wash the garment with color-safe bleach to finish. Once you’ve removed as much of the stain as possible with your selected cleaning agent, toss the garment into the washing machine. Use ½ cup (150mL) of your standard laundry detergent (or as much as the label specifies), and ½ cup (150mL) of color-safe bleach or oxygen bleach , and run the cycle with hot water. ^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Avoid laundering leather or dry clean-only garments.
- For best results, pre-treat the stain with a stain stick before laundering.
- Only wash the garment once you’ve removed as much of the stain as possible, as washing may set the rest of the stain.

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What cycle should I wash my clothes on after getting the ink out?

NW Maids
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NW Maids is a House Cleaning Service based in Seattle, Washington. NW Maids has been active since 2013 with a mission to improve the house cleaning experience. The team offers recurring main services, home and apartment cleaning, deep cleaning, and move-in-and-out cleaning services.

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Expert Answer

Once you've soaked the ink stain, put your clothes into the washing machine on a normal cycle.

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How do I remove ink from leather?

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Wet a white rag with leather cleaner, and rub the cleaner into the leather in circular motions. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then wipe it away with a damp rag.

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What solvent can I use to remove ink from clothing?

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White vinegar or rubbing alcohol make great general solvents to remove ink from most fabrics.

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Tips

Blot instead of rubbing the garment, since rubbing can ingrain the stain further and even damage the fibers of the garment.

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If you’re unsure about how a specific cleaner will react with the type of fabric you’re treating, spot test an inconspicuous area of the garment before using the cleaner on the stain.

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To remove ink from suede , sand it off or erase it with a rubber eraser, rather than use liquid agents.

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Warnings

Many inks, such as permanent marker, India ink, or red inks, may be impossible to lift from fabric. ^{[10]
X
Research source} That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try!

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Things You’ll Need

Clean white cloths
Cotton balls
Hairspray
Rubbing alcohol
Baking soda
Dry cleaning fluid or stain remover
Dish detergent
Glycerin
White vinegar
Color-safe bleach

[1]

[2]

Expert Source

NW Maids
House Cleaning Service

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

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How to Get Ink Out of Clothes

Things You Should Know

Steps

Absorb as much of the stain as you can.

Use rubbing alcohol to bust permanent marker stains.

Mix glycerin and dish detergent for a gentle treatment.

Make a baking soda paste to use on any fabric.

Soak the garment in white vinegar to treat linens.

Use a dry-cleaning agent for a high-powered stain fighter.

Clean delicate fabrics with a milk bath.

Spray the stain with hairspray to lift stubborn stains.

Use leather cleaner on leather jackets or boots.

Run the fabric through the laundry after lifting the stain.

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

Things You’ll Need

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