Removing Pen Stains From T-Shirts: Effective Methods

Getting pen out of a T-shirt can be a tricky task, but it's not impossible. The key is to act quickly and avoid rubbing the stain further into the fabric. Here are some methods to help remove those pesky pen stains:

- Using a Stain Remover: Blot the ink stain with a damp cloth, then apply a stain remover meant for ink stains. Let it sit for about ten minutes, then blot the stain again to lift the ink. Wash the garment in hot water and check if the stain is gone. Repeat the process if necessary.

- Using Rubbing Alcohol: Apply rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to the stain using a cloth or cotton ball. Gently dab and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Use a damp cloth to blot the stain, applying pressure to lift the ink. Rinse the garment with cold water, then wash it in hot water. Repeat if needed.

- Using Hairspray: Use an alcohol-based hairspray and avoid those with added perfumes, oils, or conditioners. Dampen the stain with a wet cloth, then spray the hairspray onto the stain. Scrub the stain with a brush and wash the garment as usual.

- Using Hand Sanitizer: Apply an alcohol-based hand sanitizer directly onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Blot the stain with a paper towel, then pretreat with a laundry detergent and wash as usual.

- Using Liquid Laundry Detergent: Pour a small amount of liquid laundry detergent directly onto the stain and work it in with your fingers or a soft-bristled toothbrush. Let it sit for about ten minutes, then wash the item in hot water.

Blot the stain with a damp cloth

Blotting a pen stain on a T-shirt with a damp cloth is a good way to start lifting the ink from the fabric. This method is gentle on the fabric and can be used on most types of clothing.

First, place the garment in the sink and pour cold water over the stained area. Then, using a separate clean cloth, gently dab at the stain. The water and the dabbing action will help to lift the ink from the clothing and onto the cloth. Continue blotting until no more ink is being transferred.

Next, apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent directly onto the stain and work it in with your fingers or the corners of the fabric. An old toothbrush can also help to work the detergent into the fibres. Leave the detergent on the stain for around 10 minutes.

After this, the garmentsection garment can be washed in hot water with laundry detergent. Check the appearance of the stain before drying the item. If the stain is still visible, the process can be repeated.

Use liquid laundry detergent

If you've got pen ink on your favourite shirt, don't panic! It's possible to remove pen ink from clothing, and one way to do this is by using liquid laundry detergent. Here's what to do:

Step 1: Blot the stain

Head to the sink and lay your garment with the pen stain facing down. Grab a clean cloth or an old towel and pour cold water over the blemished area. Continue to gently dab at the stain with a separate clean cloth. The goal is to transfer as much of the pen stain as possible from the clothing to the clean cloth.

Step 2: Apply liquid laundry detergent

Now, pour a small amount of liquid laundry detergent directly onto the pen stain. Work it into the fabric with your fingers, or use the corners of the fabric. An old toothbrush can also help work the detergent into the fibres of the garment. Let the detergent sit on the stain for around 10 minutes.

Step 3: Wash the garment

Wash the item in hot water with liquid detergent. Check your garment's care symbols, and wash at the hottest temperature allowed. Check how the pen stain looks before letting the garment dry. If the stain is still there, repeat the process.

Tips

• Act fast! Fresh ink stains are much simpler to get rid of than dried ones.
• Be patient and persistent. Removing pen stains can take time and may require several attempts.
• Test on a small area first. Before applying any cleaning product to the stain, test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric to ensure it won't be damaged or discoloured.

Wash the item in hot water

If you've got an ink stain on your favourite shirt, don't panic! It is possible to remove pen stains from clothing, even after they've dried. The key is to act quickly, avoid rubbing the stain, and avoid putting the stained garment in the dryer.

To remove the stain, start by applying a stain remover to the pen stain. You can use a stain-removing pen, or a liquid stain remover. Let the stain remover set into the stain for around ten minutes, then blot the stain with a cloth. You should begin to notice the ink transferring from the garment to the cloth.

Next, put the stained item in the washing machine by itself and wash it in hot water. Check to see if the pen stain has come out. If it hasn't, repeat the process, starting with applying the stain remover.

It's important to make sure the garment is stain-free before you dry it. Putting a stained garment in the dryer will set the stain and make it much harder to remove.

Use a stain remover

If you've got pen marks on your favourite shirt, don't panic! There are a few ways to tackle the stain.

Using a Stain Remover

• Buy a stain remover designed for ink stains. Check the laundry aisle at your local supermarket or shopping centre for a product that says something like "removes ink stains" or "eliminates pen stains".
• Blot the ink stain with a damp cloth before applying the stain remover. Try to lift as much of the ink as possible with the cloth.
• Apply the stain remover to the pen stain. If it's a spray, spray it directly onto the stain. If you're using a stain-removing pen, cover the surface of the stain with the tip.
• Let the stain remover set into the stain. Read the instructions to see how long to leave it, or leave it for about ten minutes.
• Blot the stain with a cloth. You should see the ink transferring from the garment to the cloth, which means the stain remover is working.
• Put the stained garment in the washing machine by itself to prevent the ink from transferring to other clothes. Wash the garment on the same setting you normally would.
• Check to see if the pen stain came out in the wash. If not, repeat the process, starting with applying the stain remover.
• Make sure the garment is stain-free before you dry it. Never put stained clothing in the dryer, as the heat will set the stain and make it harder to remove.

Other Methods

If you don't have a stain remover, there are other ways to tackle pen stains:

• Rubbing alcohol: Apply isopropyl alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol) to the stain using a cloth or cotton ball. Dab it on and let it sit for two minutes, then use a damp cloth to blot the stain. Apply pressure to encourage the ink to lift off the fabric. Rinse the garment under cold water, then wash in hot water. Repeat the process if the stain is still there.
• Glycerin: Cover the stain with liquid glycerin, then add a few drops of laundry detergent to a bowl of water and mix. Apply the mixture to the stain using a cotton swab, gently rubbing to create a lather. Machine wash the garment with cold water and check if the stain is gone. If not, repeat the process.
• Hairspray: Use an alcohol-based hairspray to dampen the stain. Hold the bottle about 2 inches (5 cm) from the stain and spray until it's soaked. Scrub the hairspray into the stain with a brush, then wash the garment on its regular setting. Check if the stain is gone before putting it in the dryer.
• Hand sanitiser: Squirt alcohol-based hand sanitiser directly onto the stain and let it sit for five minutes. Rinse with cold water and let the garment air dry. Repeat the process if necessary.
• Vinegar: Soak the stain with white vinegar, then mix two parts vinegar with three parts cornstarch to make a paste. Gently rub the paste into the stain and let it sit until it dries. Rinse the garment with clean water and repeat if necessary before machine washing.
• Baking soda: Soak the stain with your chosen remedy and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before rinsing with cold water and letting it air dry.
• Lemon juice: Soak the stain with lemon juice and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before rinsing with cold water and letting it air dry.
• Hairspray and vinegar: Spray the stain with hairspray, then blot it with a cloth soaked in vinegar. Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary before machine washing.
• Dish soap: Place a paper towel under the stain, then pour your chosen solvent directly onto the stain. Rinse with cold water, then apply liquid detergent directly onto the stain. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to spread the detergent into the fibres and let it sit for five minutes. Wash the garment on the hottest wash temperature indicated. Repeat the process if the stain persists.

Remember to always test any stain removal method on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to ensure it won't be damaged or discoloured.

Try hand sanitiser

Removing Pen Stains with Hand Sanitiser

Step 1: Blot the Stain

Place the stained part of the t-shirt on a flat surface, such as a table or kitchen counter. Using a clean cloth or an old towel, lay the clothing with the pen stain facing down. If the ink is fresh, first blot the stain with a paper towel to remove any excess ink.

Step 2: Apply Hand Sanitiser

Pour a small amount of hand sanitiser directly onto the stain. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel, as the alcohol and thickening agents will help the sanitiser soak into the fabric and begin to dissolve the ink. Apply enough hand sanitiser to saturate the stain completely.

Step 3: Work the Sanitiser into the Fabric

Using an old toothbrush, gently work the hand sanitiser into the fabric, focusing on the stained area. Continue to scrub the fabric gently for a minute or two.

Step 4: Blot the Stain Again

Using a clean white cloth or a sturdy paper towel, blot the stain to lift out the ink. If the ink has not been completely removed, repeat steps 2 and 3 until the stain is gone.

Step 5: Rinse and Wash

Rinse the stained area with cold water, then apply your preferred stain remover. Finally, launder the t-shirt in cold water. Do not use hot water, as this may set the stain.

Tips:

• Always test the hand sanitiser on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to ensure it won't damage or discolour the fabric.
• Do not put the t-shirt in the dryer until you are completely satisfied that the stain is gone.

Frequently asked questions