How to Get Ink Stains Out of Clothes

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You may even be able to get rid of permanent ink stains with these methods.

If you’ve ever accidentally grazed your sleeve on a piece of paper with still-wet ink or noticed a stain only after you wash and dry your garment, you know how difficult it can be to remove ink stains from clothes.

Luckily, in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab we’ve tested dozens of commercial stain removers and DIY stain removing methods for many of the most common household stains, so we know just what to do to get garments back in tip-top shape.

Different ink stains require different care, so make sure you follow the appropriate how-to guide depending on if you're trying to remove ballpoint pen, felt-tip pen or permanent marker ink. All of these methods should only be used on washable fabrics and should first be tested on a small hidden corner of your garment to make sure they won't cause any damage.

Two of our recommended methods use rubbing alcohol as the main ingredient. Because it is flammable, always use it away from open flames and launder all garments thoroughly after treating an ink stain with alcohol. Never try to remove ink stains from dry-clean only garments at home.

Good news: Fresh ballpoint ink is the easiest type of ink to remove from washable clothing like cotton blouses and denim jeans. As with any stain, the quicker you get to it, the easier it will be to remove.

Removing felt-tip ink is a bit more time-consuming — but not impossible, as long as you follow this guide.

Removing permanent ink isn't always possible. In addition to being formulated to last forever, the success of removing this stain is largely dependent on the material, color of the ink and how long the stain has been allowed to set in. The steps below may work on some fresh permanent ink stains, but if they’re unsuccessful, try a dedicated stain remover for permanent ink like Carbona Stain Devils #3 or Amodex Ink & Stain Remover. As a last resort, if your garment is bleach-safe, try using bleach to remove the stain.

If your pen accidentally brushed up against your purse, don't worry. Just dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and lightly rub the stain to wipe away the marks. If your purse has a shiny patina or a glossy surface, it's probably been coated in a leather protectant and should be easier to treat. If rubbing alcohol doesn't do the trick, try a commercial product designed specifically for cleaning leather, like Good Housekeeping Seal star Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner.

If that doesn't work or your purse is made of unfinished leather, take it to a dry cleaner that specializes in treating leather. To make marks, like ink, easier to remove the next time, apply a leather protectant, like GH Seal star Furniture Clinic Leather Protection Cream, to purses, sofas and other finished leather items.

If you've realized a bit too late that the shirt you're folding fresh out of the dryer has an ink stain you forgot to remove or you've let a fresh stain sit a bit too long, you may not be completely out of luck. You can try the methods above first, but if you’ve been unsuccessful, turn to stronger commercial stain removers. These products often contain ingredients to target all types of ink. Just be sure to follow the label directions when using them and test them in a hidden spot first to be sure they are safe for the fabrics you are treating. Another option is the Shout Advanced Action Gel, which even works to remove stains that have gone through the dryer.

Over the years, hairspray has earned a reputation for removing ink stains because of the alcohol in its formula. However, many 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 that 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. If you really want to tackle ink, stick with the above options.

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 small hidden spot before using it on the visible part of any garment.

Lauren is a senior editor at Hearst. She was previously the senior editor at WomansDay.com and the home editor at GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. Her book club, ramen, and jean jackets are a few of her favorite things.

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