Removing Pen Stains From T-Shirts: Effective Techniques

Getting pen stains out of your favourite shirt can be a nightmare, but there are several methods you can try to get your clothes looking clean again. The key is to act quickly, avoid rubbing the stain in further, and avoid putting the garment in the dryer, as the heat will set the stain.

Blot the stain with a damp cloth

Blotting the stain with a damp cloth is an important step in the process of removing pen ink from clothing. The goal is to lift as much of the ink stain as possible by gently dabbing at the stain with a clean, damp cloth. This process may need to be repeated several times to effectively remove the ink. It is important to avoid rubbing or scrubbing the stain, as this can cause the ink to spread and sink further into the fabric, making it harder to remove.

When blotting the stain, it is recommended to place a paper towel or old towel underneath the clothing to prevent the ink from transferring to other areas of the fabric. Additionally, it is crucial to act quickly and treat fresh ink stains as soon as possible, as they are much easier to remove before they dry and set into the fabric.

After blotting the stain with a damp cloth, the next step is typically to apply a stain remover, such as rubbing alcohol, liquid laundry detergent, or a commercial stain remover. The type of stain remover used may vary depending on the type of ink and fabric. It is always a good idea to test the stain remover on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to ensure it won't cause any damage or discolouration.

Apply liquid laundry detergent

To get pen stains out of your clothes, it's best to act as quickly as possible. Fresh ink stains are much easier to remove than dried ones.

First, place a paper towel under the stain to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the garment. Then, pour a small amount of liquid laundry detergent directly onto the stain. Work the detergent into the fabric with your fingers, the corners of the fabric, or an old toothbrush. Leave the detergent on the stain for around 10 minutes.

Next, wash the item in hot water with liquid detergent. Check the care symbols on the garment to determine the hottest temperature the fabric can withstand. Check the stain before drying the item. If the stain is still there, repeat the process.

Wash in hot water

If you've got an ink stain on your t-shirt, the first thing to do is act quickly. Fresh ink stains are much easier to remove than dried ones.

If the stain is still wet, try covering it with table salt and gently dabbing with a wet paper towel. Brush off the salt and repeat until the stain is gone.

If the stain has dried, try flushing it with rubbing alcohol. Place a paper towel under the stain and use an eyedropper to apply the alcohol directly to the stain. For larger stains, pour the alcohol into a small dish and soak the stained area for 15 minutes.

Next, blot the stain with a clean paper towel, continuing to sponge and blot until no more ink is released from the fabric.

Now, rinse the stain under cool water and apply a pre-wash stain remover. Wash the garment on the hottest setting allowed by the care symbols, using a bleach that's safe for the fabric.

Check the stain before drying. If it's still there, repeat the process.

Washing in hot water is a good way to remove pen stains from t-shirts, but it's important to act quickly and to follow the correct procedure.

Use rubbing alcohol

To get pen ink out of your clothes, you can use rubbing alcohol. Place a paper towel directly under the stain so it doesn't spread to other parts of your clothing. Then, pour some rubbing alcohol onto the stain. The alcohol will help break down the oils in the ink. Blot the stain with a clean cloth until no more ink is transferring off the fabric, then rinse the stain with cold water.

Apply a pre-wash stain treatment and machine wash your clothing using hot water. If the ink is not fully gone, repeat the process. Remember not to dry your clothing in the dryer until the stain is completely removed, or you could cause it to set.

Step 1: Apply Rubbing Alcohol to the Stain

Gently dab the rubbing alcohol onto the stain and let it sit for about two minutes. Never rub anything into a pen stain, as this may cause it to spread and sink into the fabric.

Step 2: Blot the Stain with a Damp Cloth

Use a damp cloth to blot the ink stain, applying pressure with your hand to encourage more of the ink to lift off. Check the cloth periodically to see if the ink is transferring. You should start to see the ink coming off onto the cloth.

Step 3: Rinse and Wash

Rinse the garment under cold water, making sure you've lifted as much ink as possible with the cloth. Then, wash the garment in hot water, either by hand in the sink with detergent or by using a washing machine. Once the garment has been washed, check to see if the stain is gone.

Step 4: Repeat if Necessary

If the stain is still visible, repeat the process. Keep trying to lift more of the ink off the garment using rubbing alcohol and a cloth. If the rubbing alcohol stops working effectively, you may need to try a different method.

Tips:

• Always test a new stain remover on a small, hidden area of the fabric before applying it to the stain to ensure it doesn't cause any damage or discolouration.
• Act quickly when treating a stain. Fresh ink stains are much easier to remove than dried ones.
• Never put stained clothing in the dryer until you are sure the stain is completely removed, as the heat will set the stain and make it harder to remove.

Try hairspray

Hairspray is a good option for removing pen ink from clothing, but it's important to remember that not all hairsprays are created equal. Many modern hairsprays contain less alcohol than they used to, so they may not be as effective at removing ink stains.

To remove a pen stain with hairspray, start by placing a clean, dry towel underneath the fabric where the stain is. Then, spray the stain thoroughly with the hairspray and blot it with another clean towel until the stain is gone. Finally, launder the clothing as recommended.

If the stain persists, you may need to try a different method or product, such as rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or a commercial stain remover.

Frequently asked questions