Felt tip pen stain removal

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Remove felt tip stains quickly with this advice...

Colouring is a great activity to entertain the kids on a rainy day, or maybe you've got your own adult colouring book to help relieve stress and get your creative juices flowing. No matter what age you are, accidents can happen and felt tip stains can be difficult to remove.

Many manufacturers now offer washable felt tip pens, but for brands that aren't washable, you may need some help saving your clothes or carpet from ruin. Luckily, we have the expert stain advice you need to put things right.

If the felt tips you have aren't washable, our advice is to keep them out of reach of smaller family members or visitors so you can be sure they are only used when children are supervised. It's also a great idea to invest in an oilcloth or wipe clean tablecloth that'll protect your table when it's craft time.

A children's craft apron is another useful bit of kit to protect clothing. But even with all these measures in place, children always seem to find a way of getting pen somewhere, so follow our advice below on how best to remove it.

Blot first with dry paper towels to remove any ink that's still wet. For fabrics, place an absorbent pad under the stain and follow the directions below.

Apply a cotton bud dipped in methylated spirits to the affected area — we recommend doing a spot test in an inconspicuous area first. Don't over-wet. Dab gently at the stain, trying not to spread it too much as you work. Blot firmly with paper towels, moving to a clean area of towel frequently. Repeat until no further colour seems to be lifting.

Be prepared to make several applications. Flush with cold water, then carefully rub some White Wizard into any remaining traces, working it in well. Leave for a couple of minutes, and blot again with dry paper towels. Press the towel firmly against the mark for several seconds each time. Blot with water.

The above method for carpets can also be used on washable fabrics. Alternatively, try spot-treating the area with Stain Devils for Pen and Ink. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, then machine-wash at as high a temperature as the fabric allows.

If there are still any signs of the ink, try soaking the item in an oxygen-based, colour-safe bleaching product like Vanish Oxi Advance. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and check the garment's care label first.

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