How to Remove Different Types of Ink Stains?

If you don’t want to pay for chemical cleaning and you want to try on your own – these are really good cleaning tips for removing ink stains. The ink has three different categories – water-based (washable markers - the easiest to remove), ballpoint (tricky to remove) and permanent (permanent highlighters and markers – the hardest one).

Water-based ink stains

Leave the inked clothing on a dry and clean towel or another cloth. Apply water to the stained area and blot with another piece of cloth. While you blot, the ink will transfer on the other piece of cloth. Then use a liquid laundry detergent onto the ink area and let it for 3 to 5 minutes. Finally, wash normally, using the tempretaure of the water recommended for this type of fabric. Before drying the cloth, make sure that the all stain was removed and if it is not - repeat ever step again. It is impossible to clean the fabric if you dry it.

Ballpoint ink stains

This type of stains is really tricky (it is in the middle – between water-based and permanent). They respond to treatment and it is not impossible to remove it. Start just like the first one – lay the stained clothing on a clean and dry cloth (towel). Apply a small amount of alcohol and rub it, then blot with a clean cloth. After that use liquid laundry detergent, leave it for 3-5 minutes.Wash it in the right temperature for this type of fabric. If the stain remains, you can try nail polish remover. Follow the same steps but be sure that you rinse the alcohol before using the nail polish remover. Make sure the stain was removed before starting the final step – drying it.

Permanent ink stains

Last but not least, are the permanent ink stains. They are really difficult for removing and you have to be patient. These cleaning tips can help at least to fade the spot.

The first step is to try alcohol. The procedure is the same just like the other two stains above. When the cloth (towel) underneath is wet from the ink leaching out, change it with another. Finally, rinse several times to be sure that there is no rubbing alcohol left. Second step – try nail polish remover and the last one is acetone (be aware that this can damage the fabric). Do not forget – always test the solution on another piece of cloth (piece that you don’t need anymore).