Ink stains on clothes are a phenomenon, although not the most pleasant, but very common. Especially in the summer, when due to high temperatures, the pen unexpectedly leaks into the shirt pocket, leaving an unpleasant trace. In this article, we will consider the most effective options for removing ink from clothes, using special chemicals or improvised means that can be found in any kitchen or home medicine cabinet. Remember – do not leave the stain for later, act immediately.
First of all, it is necessary to prepare the surface. To do this, hold the contaminated area in water for 10-15 minutes, or wipe it with a richly moistened napkin. It is desirable that the latter contains alcohol. So the stain will get wet, and it will be easier to remove it from the fibers of the clothes.
General recommendations on how to remove ink from a ballpoint pen:
- process the ink stain while it is fresh;
- do not rub, smearing, but wet;
- do not dry with warm air or rinse with hot or warm water. Otherwise, it will be more difficult to remove the stain from the clothes.
Chemistry is a faithful assistant
Are you looking for ways to remove ink from a pen? You don’t have to go far – any stain remover with the OXI label on the package will help you deal with the scourge. Such products contain 15-30% oxygen bleaches that penetrate the pores of the fabric.
Example:
- “ACEOXIMAGIC” for colored linen. How to use: pour 3 tablespoons of the powder with hot water to the consistency of kefir and pour on the stain. Hold for 5 minutes and be surprised: there is not a trace left of the stain!
- A series of stain removers “Antipyatin”. It is available in different versions: in the form of concentrate, powder, soap. The active substance is active oxygen. How to use: apply to the contaminated area, leave for 10-15 minutes, wash off. If the result is not effective enough, repeat.
- Sarma Active. In addition to active oxygen, it also contains sulfates (15-30%), carbonates (15-30%) and phosphates (5-15%). Removes even old ink stains. Suitable for both machine and hand washing. Does not contain chlorine, which means it is safe for fabric.
Tools at hand
It is not always possible to use specialized means for removing stains. Then you have to use proven “grandmother’s methods”, how to remove the ink from a ballpoint pen.
IMPORTANTLY! Before trying any of the following products on clothing, test on a small inconspicuous piece to see if it changes the texture or color of the fabric.
- Alcohol. It perfectly removes ink from cotton fabrics. If the trace is fresh, pour a little alcohol on it, wait 3 minutes and lock it. If the ink has dried for a long time, then mix alcohol and vinegar in equal proportions, and wipe the contaminated area until it is clean. A combination of alcohol and soda also effectively removes ink. Apply the mixture of one teaspoon of alcohol and two teaspoons of baking soda on a cloth and gently wipe the ink area with it.
- Glycerin. Apply some glycerin on the ink stain, leave it for an hour. Rinse with slightly salted water and lock with household soap.
- Acetone. It will help remove the ink, but it is a very aggressive agent and can damage the fabric. First, conduct a small reaction test. Pour acetone on the stain, wait 20 minutes. Lock in soapy water.
- Salt and soda. Mix ammonia and soda in equal proportions. About a teaspoon of each substance. Soak the item damaged by ink in the resulting solution for several hours. If you need to remove a stain from a dense fabric, add medical alcohol instead of soda.
- Vinegar. You can heat the vinegar to 50 degrees and apply it to the ink stain. Then rinse thoroughly under cold water. This method, how to wash ink from clothes, removes well even old stains
- Lemon. Squeeze lemon juice on a cloth, leave for 20 minutes. During this time, you can add a little juice several times. The ink should dissolve.
Leather and denim
The skin needs special care, and jeans are difficult to open due to the density of the fabric. The methods discussed in this article are suitable for cleaning both types of material. Let’s note the most important points, how to remove ink from leather and jeans:
- A mixture of ammonia and soda is suitable for fresh stains and is safe only for light shades of skin and fabric. White spots may remain on dark ones.
- It is better to remove ink from denim fabric in several stages. First, apply alcohol to the area of the fabric, then, without rinsing, add a little hydrogen peroxide. After 15 minutes, rinse with cool water and wash with household soap.
- A greasy hand or face cream is one of the effective ways to remove a stain from the skin. Apply it for a few minutes, then wipe with a cotton pad. If necessary, wipe the cleaned area with a damp cloth. This method can also be used as preparation for stain removal.