How to Remove Ink Stains

Permanent ink is extremely difficult (though not entirely impossible) to remove, and the first order of business is to place the fabric being treated on a white towel or thick absorbent white cloth (like a diaper). If the stain is on a sleeve or shirt, put the towel or fabric between the layers of the material.

Pour rubbing alcohol on another clean white cloth and blot the stain with the alcohol. If you can catch this ink stain fairly quickly, alcohol will have a better chance of removing (or at least reducing) the effect of the stain. The longer the ink stays on the fabric, however, the harder it is going to be to remove.

If the rubbing alcohol does not work, you can try fingernail polish remover. Blot the same as you did with the rubbing alcohol. DO NOT SOAK THE FABRIC.

NOTE: If you fabric is delicate/lightweight do NOT use the nail polish remover as it is likely to damage the fabric itself. If the stain has set for too long and neither alcohol nor nail polish remover is doing the trick, then you can try acetone. Straight acetone WILL eat through fabrics containing rayon and acetate, so make sure to read your label.

Finally, if none of the above work, you can try bleach. In fact, if the fabric being treated is white, you may want to try the bleach before you try either the nail polish remover or acetone as it is not as harmful to even delicate fabrics. Colored fabrics, however, do not respond as well to straight bleach and tend to fade or get white blotches. There is color-safe bleach available, but it is not as effective as straight bleach, and may do absolutely nothing to help remove the ink stain.

Removing Ball Point Ink Stains

Ball point ink is harder to remove than water-based ink stains, but not quite as difficult as permanent ink stains. For most ball point ink stains, treating the fabric with rubbing alcohol (as described above) will do the trick. Again, the sooner you are able to treat the fabric after the accident, the easier it will be to remove the stain.

If the stain has set too long and the alcohol does not work, nail polish remover will. Be careful with your fabric if it is delicate, but it shouldn’t take much to do the trick.

Removing Water Based Ink Stains

Water based ink stains are the easiest to remove. Simply place the stained fabric on the clean white towel or absorbent cloth (as listed above) – make sure that the cloth is BETWEEN the layers of fabric. Now spray the stain with warm water until it is thoroughly damp. You will see the stain begin to bleed through onto the white towel or cloth, which is the reason you want it in between any layers of fabric! Try blotting the fabric with another dry white cloth. If the stain does not dissolve completely, apply a light coating of liquid detergent (either laundry detergent or dish detergent) to the stain, and let it soak for several minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water, and the ink stains should be completely removed.