If you’ve ever had a pen leak inside your favourite handbag or shirt pocket, you know how troublesome ink stains can be. That’s why we’ve tapped experts from the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab to share the go-to methods they use to get ink stains out of clothes.
Like most stains, ink stains are easiest to remove when they’re fresh. Pros recommend acting quickly if you’re able to. The good news is that you probably already have the products you’ll need to get rid of it. Rubbing alcohol, acetone, and ammonia can all work, as can commercial stain removers.
If the stain has already set in, don’t worry: It’s not impossible to get a dried ink stain out of fabric. You may have to repeat the stain removal process a few times to get the ink out, but you should be able to salvage your clothing or handbag.
Ahead, learn how experts remove ink stains from clothing. And because we know life gets messy, we’ve also written about how to remove blood stains, dye stains, and sweat stains from clothes. Bookmark these so you know where to turn the next time you’ve got a stain you’re not sure how to treat!
How to remove ink with rubbing alcohol
Removing ink with rubbing alcohol works best on fresh ink stains, especially on the oil-based pigments in ballpoint pen ink. This method may also be effective on permanent marker ink, too. As with any stain, the quicker you get to it, the easier it will be to remove. Keep in mind: Rubbing alcohol is flammable, so keep it away from open flames and launder all garments thoroughly after treating.
What you'll need:
- Paper towels
- Rubbing alcohol
- Eyedropper
- Pre-wash stain remover
- Flush the stain with rubbing alcohol. If it's a small stain, place a paper towel under the stain and use an eyedropper to apply rubbing alcohol. For a larger spot, pour the alcohol into a small dish, immerse the stained area, and soak for 15 minutes.
- Blot the stain with a clean paper towel. Continue sponging and blotting the stain until no further ink is released from the fabric.
- Rinse and apply a pre-wash stain remover. Rinse under cool water, apply a pre-wash stain remover, and wash the garment on the hottest setting with a bleach that's safe for the fabric—opt for a colour-safe formula for coloured clothes.
- Check that the ink stain is completely removed. If the stain is still there, repeat the steps above one more time or until the ink is gone. Toss the item into the dryer only after the ink is completely gone.
How to remove ink with ammonia
By breaking down the dye pigments in ink, ammonia makes it easier to rinse out stains with water. Try this method on ballpoint or felt-tip ink for the best results.
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What You'll Need:
- Hot water
- Ammonia
- Stain-removing laundry detergent
- Rinse the stain under cold water. Flush out as much of the ink as you can.
- Soak garment in a mixture of hot water, bleach-free laundry detergent, and ammonia. Fill a basin with hot water and pour in a bleach-free, liquid laundry detergent (like one of our top-tested detergents) and a few splashes of ammonia. Stir the solution and immerse the garment. Give the stain a rub with your fingers, and let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Allow stubborn stains to soak overnight, giving it a rub every so often.
- Rinse and wash the garment as usual. When the stain is gone or lightened as much as possible, rinse the garment. Wash as usual with a fabric-safe bleach, either by hand or in the washing machine. As with any stain, don't put the garment in the dryer until you are certain the stain is completely removed.
How to remove ink with nail polish remover
Need a quick fix? Try nail polish remover to remove fresh ink stains. Similar to rubbing alcohol, acetone-based nail polish removers help break down pigment. Keep in mind: Acetone is a powerful solvent, so don't submerge clothing in the product.
What You'll Need
- Acetone-based nail polish remover
- Cloth or cotton rounds
- Blot the stain. Apply a few drops of acetone-based nail polish remover to a clean cloth or cotton ball, then gently blot the stain. Take your time blotting the stain until it begins to lift - don't rub or the stain may spread.
- Rinse the garment, then wash it on a regular cycle. Run the garment under cool water to remove the acetone. If the stain is still visible, apply a pre-wash stain remover. Wash the garment as usual with a fabric-safe bleach in the hottest setting that's safe for the fabric.
Can you get ink out of clothes after drying?
If you've realised a garment fresh out of the dryer has an ink stain or you've let a fresh stain sit a bit too long, you may not be completely out of luck. If the methods above don't completely remove the set-in stain, turn to stronger commercial stain removers.
Pro tip: Before trying a stain remover for the first time or using one on a new garment, test it in a hidden spot before applying it to the stain. If you don't see any colour change or damage, it's safe to proceed. Try one of the best laundry stain removers, according to Good Housekeeping Institute testing.
Can you use other DIY methods to get ink out of clothes?
Over the years, hairspray has earned a reputation for removing ink stains because of the alcohol in its formula. However, some of today's sprays contain less alcohol, so they aren't as effective on ink stains as older formulas may have been. Plus, you still have to deal with removing the sticky hairspray residue.
Other DIY methods you may have seen touted as effective ink removers include vinegar, toothpaste, and even hand sanitizer. Though the alcohol in hand sanitizer may budge it a bit (as will most other DIY methods containing alcohol), we've never found any of these alternatives to be effective.
Does rubbing alcohol damage clothes?
Rubbing alcohol in small amounts should not cause damage to most fabrics. As with any store-bought or other DIY stain remover, you should test it on a small hidden spot before using it on the visible part of any garment.
