Does Ink Come Out of Clothes?
Yes, ink stains do come out of clothes and other fabrics. However, you might not be able to fully remove them after the first wash. For example, you may not have noticed your ink or marker stain until after you’ve already washed the stained item, which may result in that stain setting. The size of the stain matters, too – the level of effort may change depending on whether you just have a small line or smudge on your clothes, or if a pen exploded in your pant pocket.
Additionally, the actual kind of ink itself matters. For example, there may be a difference in terms of the effort required when trying to get rid of stains from a washable marker or stains from a permanent marker. The same goes for different kinds (and different colors) of pen ink.
Breaking Down Ink Stains: Ballpoint vs. Water-Based vs. Permanent Ink
You probably have experimented with all different kinds of ink throughout your life. Whether you had a fountain pen phase during your school days or help your kids color with washable markers, all forms of ink can leave stains on clothing and upholstery. But what are these inks made of?
Ballpoint ink is often made of dyes suspended in a mixture of solvents and oil as a primary component. Although ballpoint ink is not totally waterproof, it is somewhat water-resistant because it can dry into fabric rather easily. This can make it slightly more difficult to remove in the wash.
Conversely, water-based inks usually use water as the primary solvent to help carry different pigments. Since these inks are water-soluble, they are typically a bit easier to remove during the first washing and drying cycle if addressed quickly or when ink stains are fresher.
Finally, we have permanent ink. The main difference between ballpoint, water-based, and permanent ink is that the resin used to help make the permanent ink is not water-soluble. As you might guess, this can make permanent ink or permanent marker stains extremely difficult to remove.
How Do I Get Ink Out of Clothes?
OxiClean™ stain removers can help get dried and fresh ink stains out of clothes! These laundry additives work hard to break down stains and make them easier to remove in the wash. For the best results, try to address ink stains while they are still fresh.
How to Remove Ink & Marker Stains from Clothes
Writing thank you notes and holiday cards can seem daunting, particularly when you discover ink smudges on your sleeve. Similarly, you might have been looking forward to getting some downtime while your kiddo worked on their favorite coloring book, only for them to come running into the room with marker stains all over their shirt.
Don’t let these stains bother you! Instead, turn to OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover and OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover Free powders to help remove ink and marker stains from your clothes, and your children’s clothes too!
1. Mix*
Fill OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover or OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover Free scoop to Line 2 to Line 4 per gallon of water. Fill to Line 2 for small ink or marker stains and Line 4 for tougher ink or marker stains. Submerge stained items in solution after dissolved.
2. Soak
Soak items for 1-6 hours. Depending on the severity of the ink or marker stain(s), some items may require more time to soak. For best results, soak stained items for 6 hours.
3. Wash
Wash as normal with detergent and OxiClean™ powder.
*When creating a solution, mix until completely dissolved. Use the warmest water possible. Do not heat or boil. Do not mix or store solution in a sealed container. You can use OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover and OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover Free for all washable laundry items.
When ink or marker stains leave their, ahem, mark… OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover and OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover Free can help remove these stains from your fabrics. OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover Free is also a strong option as an ink stain remover for baby clothes since it’s dye- and perfume-free. You can also use OxiClean™ Baby Stain Remover powder!
OxiClean™ Baby Stain Remover is formulated to help remove ink and other stains from machine-washable baby and toddler items like machine-washable baby seat covers and stuffed animals. You can also use Baby Stain Remover to help clean cloth diapers and remove spit up or formula from bibs or baby clothes.
If you’re using OxiClean™ Baby Stain Remover to help get ink or marker stains out of baby clothes, just follow the steps above and watch those stains disappear!
How to Get Dry Ink Out of Clothes
In case you weren’t aware, set-in (or dried-in) stains can be particularly tough to remove. The same goes for dried ink stains. We discussed how ballpoint ink can dry into clothes and other fabrics quite quickly, so you need a strong stain remover like OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray to help get those ink stains out! Note: do not treat garments while wearing.
1. Spray
Shake before use. Spray directly onto the dried-in ink stain until saturated.
2. Wait
Let stand for 5 minutes or up to a week, depending on the severity of the ink stain. For fabrics prone to color change, do not let the spray stand longer than 5 minutes.
3. Wash
Wash with laundry detergent in the warmest water the fabric will accept.
*Test OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray on an inconspicuous area before use. Do not use on silk, wool, leather, and fabrics labeled dry clean only. Pretreat old ink stains on clothes with OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray and wash immediately or up to a week later. FOR BEST RESULTS: Treat stains with OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover while they are fresh or as soon as possible. For set-in stains, allow to penetrate overnight or up to a week.
OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray targets the toughest stains from things like grease and oil. That makes it the perfect stain remover for ink stains from ballpoint pens since these items use oil-based ink. Best of all, it doesn’t even need to be laundry day for you to address these stains! With Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray, you can pretreat stains immediately and wash them up to seven days later.
When your clothes suddenly get splotchy or you have the misfortune of having an ink cartridge burst onto your jeans, grab your trusty bottle of Max Force™ and spray away! Plus, Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray also comes in a travel-sized 2 FL. OZ. bottle, so you can treat ink or marker stains on clothing items when you’re away from home!
How to Get Ink Out of White Clothes
Much as we’d probably like to forever maintain the crisp, sleek whiteness of our white clothes and fabrics, these items stain just like colored fabrics. But ink stains can look all the more prominent on white items. Wondering how to get ink out of your white T-shirt? Turn to OxiClean™ White Revive™ Laundry Whitener & Stain Remover!
2. Soak
Soak your ink-stained clothes in the solution of water and OxiClean™ White Revive™ Laundry Whitener & Stain Remover for 6 hours.
3. Wash
Wash as normal with detergent.
*Test OxiClean™ White Revive™ Laundry Whitener & Stain Remover on an inconspicuous area before use. Safe on washable and colorfast fabrics only. Do not use on wool, wool blends, silk, silk blends, leather, or fabrics labeled dry clean only. Do not use with chlorine bleach. Do not mix powder with detergent in the dispenser. Follow manufacturer’s care label for water temperature and wash instructions.
That pen you keep in the pocket of your dress shirt can come in handy when you need to take notes during a work meeting. However, that fresh white dress shirt won’t look quite as professional if the pen explodes in your pocket and leaves the garment imprinted with ink stains. But if you’ve got OxiClean™ White Revive™ Laundry Whitener & Stain Remover, you can treat and remove those stains to revitalize the look of that dress shirt in no time.
White Revive™ Laundry Whitener & Stain Remover doesn’t just work on dingy or stained white clothes. It can help restore the brightness of your towels and sheets. This laundry additive can even help clean dirty canvas sneakers!
Whenever your white laundry items need a refresh, White Revive™ Laundry Whitener & Stain Remover is what you need.
How Do You Get Ink Out of the Carpet?
After you’re done using it to remove ink stains from clothing, you can also use OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover to get ink out of the carpet!
1. Mix*
Fill OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover powder to Line 1 per 16 fluid ounces of water. Remove excess stains before treating.
2. Apply
Using a clean white cloth or towel, apply only enough solution to saturate the ink or marker stain(s) on your carpet.
3. Wait
Allow solution to stand 1-5 minutes. Do not allow solution to dry on carpet fabric.
4. Blot
Blot with a new, clean white cloth or towel. Repeat until the ink or marker stain(s) is no longer visible.
5. Rinse
Rinse carpet with clean water and blot until dry.
*When creating a solution, mix until completely dissolved. Use the warmest water possible. Do not heat or boil. Do not mix or store solution in a sealed container. Test solution on colorfast fabric before treating.
Now you don’t have to worry when your kids color “outside the lines” and get marker all over the carpet. Take out that tub of OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover and get any lingering ink or marker out of your carpet ASAP!
How to Get Pen Out of Water-Washable Couches & Upholstery
Sometimes, you don’t have a table or a notebook to write on. When you’re already in a rush, you might need the couch as a crutch when trying to mail an envelope or send a wedding congratulatory note. And when you’re in a hurry, stains can happen. Luckily for you, OxiClean™ Laundry + Home Stain Remover Spray can help get ink stains from pens and marker stains out of water-washable couches and upholstery!
1. Spray
Spray OxiClean™ Laundry + Home Stain Remover Spray on a clean, white towel and use the towel to blot out the ink or marker stain. Do NOT spray directly on the stain.
2. Blot
Dampen a new, clean white towel with water and blot to rinse.
*Test OxiClean™ Laundry + Home Stain Remover Spray in an inconspicuous area prior to use. Don’t use on wool, wool blends, silk, silk blends, leather and fabrics labeled dry clean only and always follow manufacturer’s care guidelines. For item being cleaned, do not let dry on fabric. For best results, remove as much of the excess ink or marker stain. Treat stains as soon as possible and while stains are still fresh.
OxiClean™ Laundry + Home Stain Remover Spray can also target small water-based ink spots or marker stains on your clothes. Spray this fast-acting cleaner directly on the stained area(s) until saturated. Do not treat garments while wearing. Rub into the fabric and let stand for up to 10 minutes before washing as normal with laundry detergent.
Does Hairspray Remove Ink?
Hairspray, as well as rubbing alcohol, can help remove tough ink stains. However, these items can also attack fabric dyes and cause color bleeding on some clothing fabrics.
Rather than trying hairspray or rubbing alcohol, put your faith in OxiClean™ laundry additives and stain remover sprays. All OxiClean™ powders and sprays are color safe and chlorine-free, allowing you to focus on getting a thorough clean.
Make Ink & Marker Stains Obsolete with OxiClean™
Have you ever heard the phrase “The ink hasn’t dried”? Well, when it comes to ink or marker stains, don’t let them dry! Get rid of those stains with OxiClean™ laundry additives. And, in the event those stains do dry, OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray can help you get ink and marker stains out of clothes in a hurry!
Add OxiClean™ products to your arsenal so you can tackle tough ink and marker stains at the drop of a hat.