How to Get Ink Out of Clothes

Don't let an ink stain ruin your favorite outfit. Learn how to get ink out of clothes fast with these quick ink stain removal tips.

Fact checked by Emily EstepFact checked by Emily Estep

If you've ever washed a pair of pants with a pen in the pocket, you know that it can difficult to get ink out of clothes. Ink stain removal is a common housekeeping annoyance, and there is no catch-all trick that works for all fabrics. Here, we'll show you how to get ink out of clothes and other fabric items. The best stain removal technique depends on the material, so check out the fabrics listed below to find the tricks you need to remove ink stains from every type of clothing.

Water-Based vs. Oil-Based Ink Stains

When it comes to removing ink stains from clothing, there are two types of ink to know. Water-based ink, often found in gel pens, fountain pens, and washable markers, is easier to remove. Oil-based ink, commonly found in ballpoint pens, is thick and greasy, making it more difficult to remove from clothes. Oil-based ink is also hydrophobic, which means it repels water. The following methods for ink stain removal work on both types of ink. It's important to act quickly once you notice the stain and choose a cleaning method suited for your fabric type.

How to Remove Pen Ink from Clothes

When it comes to removing ink stains from clothing, whether T-shirts, jeans, or blouses, the best cleaning method will depend on the item's fabric. Always check the garment tag to determine the material and read the care instructions provided on the tag. However, below are some basic steps that will show you how to get ink out of clothes, no matter the item.

Step 1: Blot Excess Ink

If the ink stain is fresh, immediately blot with a clean cloth or paper towel to soak up as much excess ink as possible.

Step 2: Treat the Ink Stain

If the ink stain has dried, start by diluting and saturating the stain with rubbing alcohol. Always test rubbing alcohol on an inconspicuous area of the garment first to make sure it doesn't damage the garment or remove any of the fabric dye. Blot the ink stain with a clean cloth, paper towel, or cotton ball, and rubbing alcohol, gently pressing down, being careful not to wipe or scrub at the stain.

Step 3: Wash Clothing

Rinse the clothing with cool water to remove the ink and rubbing alcohol. Launder the garment in your machine, using a cold or room-temperature cycle.

Step 4: Dry Clothing

Before drying your garment, inspect the stain to determine it's been removed. If the ink stain remains, repeat the process until it's gone. Then air-dry your item.

Tips

Be sure to follow the instructions on the garment's label and the manufacturer's instructions on any products mentioned as you go through the ink stain removal process.

How to Get Ink Stains Out of Jeans

Keep your denim jacket or favorite pair of paints in good condition with this simple process for removing inks stains from jeans.

Step 1: Blot excess ink. Start by immediately blotting excess ink with a paper towel or cloth; take care not to rub the stain further into your jeans. If you get an ink stain on jeans while away from home, treat the dried ink with a few drops of water before blotting.

Step 2: Apply rubbing alcohol to ink stain. With paper towels or a clean cloth placed under your jeans, apply isopropyl rubbing alcohol (a few drops is plenty) to the stain and gently scrub with a cotton swab or soft-bristled toothbrush.

Step 3: Rinse before washing in laundry machine. Rinse the ink stain in cold water before washing your jeans on a cold cycle.

Step 4: Utilize a commercial stain treatment, as needed. Commercial stain sticks and sprays are also alternatives to removing inks stains from jeans.

Step 5: Air-dry. Let the jeans air-dry once clean and ink stain is removed.

Related: How Often Should You Wash Jeans?

How to Get Ink Out of a Cotton Shirt or Pants

Step 1: Apply hairspray to cotton clothing. To get ink out of a shirt made with cotton, lightly spritz the cotton with hair spray to loosen the ink stain.

Step 2: Soak in a homemade cleaning solution. Soak the garment for 30 minutes in a solution of 1/2 tsp. dishwashing detergent and 1 Tbsp. white vinegar diluted in 1 quart of warm water.

Step 3: Rinse. Rinse with cool water and allow to dry.

Step 4: Apply rubbing alcohol as needed. If the ink stain persists, press with an absorbent cloth moistened with alcohol. Change the cloth as the stain lifts.

Step 5: Dab with water and dry. After the ink stain is removed, dab with cool water, then a dry cloth.

Tips

Always test homemade cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous spot of your garment first to ensure colorfastness.

How to Get Ink Out of Canvas or Linen Clothing

Step 1: Test first. To remove ink stains from washable linen or canvas, test rubbing alcohol on an inconspicuous spot to ensure it won't damage the fabric.

Step 2: Apply rubbing alcohol. Place the stained area facedown over the mouth of a jar or glass, holding the fabric taut so the ink spot won't spread. Drip rubbing alcohol through the stain. The alcohol will pull the ink along as it drops into the jar.

Step 3: Rinse well and line-dry. Check that the stain has been removed before laundering per fabric-care instructions.

How to Remove Ink Stains from Wool Clothing

Step 1: Blot ink from wool clothing. For wool items, blot the ballpoint pen stain with paper towels ASAP. Try blotting the wool with cold water first to see if the stain lifts.

Step 2: Apply hairspray. If stain remains, spray the ink stain with hairspray and blot, repeating until stain lifts.

Step 3: Blot with warm water. This should remove any remaining ink and hairspray.

Step 4: Use distilled white vinegar, if needed. You also can dip a soft-bristle toothbrush in a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar and gently scrub that on the stain. Dab with cold water and blot dry.

How to Remove Ink Stains from Leather

Step 1: Use a leather cleaner. To remove ink stains from leather clothing, use a cleaning product specifically designed for leather. Apply the leather cleaner with a clean cloth ASAP, preferably within the first six hours after staining.

Step 2: Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the leather cleaner.

Ink Stain Removal for Chenille Clothing

Step 1: Soak item. To treat an ink stain on washable chenille, first soak the item for 30 minutes in an ink stain remover solution of 1/2 tsp. mild, clear dish soap and 1 Tbsp. white vinegar diluted in 1 quart warm water.

Step 2: Rinse. Rinse with water and air-dry.

Step 3: Apply rubbing alcohol. If the stain remains, dab with rubbing alcohol (test on an inconspicuous spot first).

Step 4: Rinse. Rinse a second time with water, and wash as directed on the garment's label.

Step 5: Air-dry. Let the garment to dry and inspect to make sure the stain has been removed before drying as directed again.

How to Get Ink Out of Corduroy Clothing

Step 1: Soak item in a homemade cleaning solution. To remove a pen ink stain on washable corduroy, first soak the item for 30 minutes in a solution of 1/2 tsp. mild, clear dish soap and 1 Tbsp. white vinegar diluted in 1 quart of warm water.

Step 2: Rinse garment. Rinse clothing with water and air-dry.

Stepp 3: Treat stain with rubbing alcohol. If the stain remains, dab with rubbing alcohol after first testing on an inconspicuous spot.

Step 4: Rinse and wash. Rinse the garment with water, and wash as directed on the garment's label.

Step 5: Air-dry corduroy clothing. Inspect to make sure the stain has been removed before drying as directed again.

How to Get Ink Out of Polyester or Nylon Clothing

Step 1: Test in an inconspicuous spot. Before you try to remove ink stains from polyester or nylon, test the treatment on a hidden corner or seam to check for color damage.

Step 2: Apply rubbing alcohol. Stretch the stained area over the mouth of a jar or glass. Slowly drip rubbing alcohol through the stain, catching the ink residue in the jar.

Step 3: Rinse and dry. Hang the item up to air-dry, rather than using your dryer.

Step 4: Launder garments, as needed. Wash the garment, and if necessary, use a color-safe bleach as long as the label says it's okay.

Step 5: Air-dry. Let the garment air-dry, making sure the ink is gone before you dry as directed.

Related: How to Remove Permanent Marker from Almost Any Surface

How to Remove Ink from Silk

Step 1: Blot ink stain. For ink stains on silk clothing, blot the stain with paper towels as soon as possible. You can simply blot with cold water as long as the stain lifts.

Step 2: Apply hairspray. If the stain remains, spray with hairspray and continue blotting until the stain lifts.

Step 3: Blot with water. Finish by blotting with warm water.

Step 4: Use diluted vinegar. You also can dip a soft toothbrush in a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar, then gently scrub on the stain. Dab with cold water and blot dry.

How to Get Ink Out of Spandex and Lycra

Step 1: Test first. To remove ballpoint pen ink from spandex or Lycra, test the treatment on a hidden corner or seam first to check for color damage.

Step 2: Apply rubbing alcohol. Stretch the stained area over the mouth of a jar or glass. Slowly drip rubbing alcohol through the stain, using the jar to catch the ink residue.

Step 3: Rinse and dry. Rinse and line-dry the garment.

Step 4: Wash the garment in the washing machine. Use a color-safe bleach, if necessary and the label says it's okay.

Step 5: Air-dry. All the garment time to air-dry, making sure the ink stain is gone before you dry as directed again.

Ink Stain Removal for Suede Fabric

Step 1: Use a dry-cleaning solvent. To remove ballpoint pen stains from suede, test in an inconspicuous area with a dab of consumer dry-cleaning solvent on a clean cloth.

Step 2: Apply solvent. Use the removal solvent sparingly on the stain, following the manufacturer's instructions.

How to Get Ink Out of Velvet

Be sure to follow the instructions on the garment's label before trying to remove an ink stain from velvet.

Step 1: Soak velvet clothing. To treat a ballpoint pen stain on washable velvet, first soak the item for 30 minutes in a solution of 1/2 tsp. mild, clear dish soap and 1 Tbsp. white vinegar diluted in 1 quart of warm water.

Step 2: Rinse and dry. Rinse thoroughly before air-drying velvet clothing.

Step 3: Apply rubbing alcohol. If the stain remains, dab with rubbing alcohol (test on an inconspicuous spot first).

Step 4: Rinse. Rinse the garment with water, and wash as directed on the label's garment.

Step 5: Air-dry. Let the garment air-dry, and inspect it to make sure the stain has been removed before drying as directed again.

Related: 10 Best Stain Removers for Clothes, Linens, and Upholstery Fabric

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use baking soda to remove ink stains on clothes?

You can use baking soda mixed with water to remove ink stains from clothing. Make a paste with two parts baking soda and one part water and dab it gently on the stain being careful not to spread the stain into surrounding areas. Rinse and repeat until the stain is gone and then launder the item as usual.

Does toothpaste remove ink stains?

Toothpaste may not be the most effective method for removing ink from fabric, but it can work in a pinch. Just cover the ink stain with a non-gel-based toothpaste and let it sit for several minutes before rinsing the area with cold water. Repeat the steps until the stain is gone. Just be sure to test a small, inconspicuous area before applying the toothpaste to be sure it won’t damage the fabric.

What is the best method to remove ballpoint pen stains?

The cleaning methods outlined above work to remove ballpoint pen stains. Choose the method that works best for the material of your clothing item.

Can you remove dried pen ink from clothing?

It's important to treat ink stains as soon as they occur rather than waiting for them to dry. However, you can remove dried pen ink from clothing. Spray the area with rubbing alcohol or alcohol-based sanitizer before using the methods outlined above in order to saturate and break up the stain.

Does rubbing alcohol damage clothes?

Rubbing alcohol can discolor, damage, and fade some fabrics, so it’s best to exercise caution when using it to treat stains. While rubbing alcohol is an effective stain remover for fabrics like cotton and linen, it is best to avoid using it on fabrics containing wool, silk, acetate, rayon, or acrylic fibers.

When should I have my garment professionally cleaned?

Most ink stains can be removed with the methods listed above, but certain fabrics like suede, silk, and wool can be trickier. If a stain persists after performing the processes above, it is a good time to bring your garment to a professional cleaner.

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