Getting out ink stains from clothing?

[altai_rose]

Arggh I left an ink pen open in my white coat (probably made out of cotton). I'm at work so all I've done is to wash it in warm water and keep it wet. But there's a huge stain... Any tips on how to remove ink stains from clothing? Thanks!!

 

[FunnyBut]

Soak in Oxyclean, it cleans better than anything else.

 

[quartz]

I've used hairspray to get ink out of fabric (spray and blot, don't rub) and I use hand sanitizer to get ink off my hands.

 

[altai_rose]

Thanks! I'll try hand sanitizer and oxy clean when I get home-- I assume for both the clothes need to be dry?

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

Yes, but let the item air dry. Don't put it in the dryer, or the heat can set the stain.

The jacket should have a label inside that says what it's made out of. Knowing that will help. Likewise, let us know if this is just a normal pen or a Sharpie.

 

[altai_rose]

Yes, but let the item air dry. Don't put it in the dryer, or the heat can set the stain.

The jacket should have a label inside that says what it's made out of. Knowing that will help. Likewise, let us know if this is just a normal pen or a Sharpie.

65% polyester, 35% cotton. And a normal liquid ink pen. Unfortunately, I also smudged it into a giant area when I was using paper towels and water to rinse/soak it off this morning, and the area is still quite wet.

 

[TheGirlCanSkate]

Always use cold water on stains, never hot.

to get pen ink off, you just need rubbing alcohol and a bunch of paper towels. Just keep blotting with alcohol and paper towels. It's a pain but it does work.

If you decide to wash it, make sure to not put it in the dryer until you are sure all the ink is out.

 

[Rob]

Blot, don't rub

I have read that the following work:
Hairspray
Ammonia
Milk
Oxyclean

But I have had better luck with "Awesome" Cleanser from Dollar Tree.

A good dry cleaner (not a cheap Zip cleaner) got ink out of a white suit jacket I have -- it was worth the $8.

 

[floridaice]

I've used hairspray to get ink out of fabric (spray and blot, don't rub) and I use hand sanitizer to get ink off my hands.

Plain old rubbing alcohol works too. Or just get the cheapest, pump (not aerosol) bottle hair spray.

 

[altai_rose]

Arrgh, I've tried Oxiclean (including soaking it overnight), rubbing alcohol, and hand sanitizer, and none of them seem to be working.