A strip left on your favorite clothes from the ink of a ballpoint pen is a very unpleasant surprise. It requires a solution as soon as possible so that the paste does not have time to penetrate deep into the fabric. But if this happened, then it will still be possible to wash off the ink mark. Several well-known ways to remove a ballpoint pen ink stain will help with this.
Types of contaminated material
You can use the first option you like. To begin with, you should check what material the clothes are made of. And you need to choose a method only taking into account the type of fabric. This will help to avoid unnecessary actions that do not give results, and keep clothes whole and beautiful. Fabric methods are divided into several types:
- Cotton, linen, synthetics. Unpretentious materials. It is quite simple to remove pen marks from a blouse or other clothing that includes such fabrics. It is allowed to use almost any methods, except for very “aggressive” ones. It will be optimal to use alcohol, ammonia, milk, lemon juice or turpentine.
- Wool, silk and other delicate fabrics. Clothes made of such materials are quite susceptible to some substances. Therefore, it is necessary to remove stains from pants, blouses and other wardrobe items made of delicate fabrics only with soda or mustard.
- Skin. Those who have to clean leather goods from the paste get the biggest space of choice. For them, solutions with salt, eraser, scotch tape, glycerin, cosmetic creams, alcohol and ammonia mixtures, hair varnish are applicable. If it is necessary to remove traces from the jacket, it is advisable to first check the effect of the substance on an inconspicuous place so as not to permanently spoil its appearance.
- Artificial leather is more sensitive. It is worth working with it only using soap solutions, salt, citric acid. Heavy stains can be washed off artificial leather using alcohol.
- Denim fabric. It is allowed to clean jeans, jackets and shirts made of such material with soap diluted in water, vinegar, alcohol, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.
If we talk about color, it is not recommended to remove stains from white fabric with the help of means that can stain or lead to yellowing. You should not use alcohol mixtures on bright clothes, as a pale stain may appear after them.
Scotch tape, eraser
One of the simplest and most effective methods of removing ink stains is the use of tape and an eraser. They do a great job with the paste left on the skin.
How to use:
- Strongly stick a strip of tape to the problem area, and then tear it off.
- Walk over this place with an eraser in the same way as when wiping a pencil.
If this method is not enough, then it will simplify the task for the following means.
Soap
An ink stain, as a rule, easily lends itself to a soapy solution. In the process of cleaning, you should be careful so as not to damage the upper layers of the fabric.
Application:
- Grind laundry soap, dissolve in water. You should get a cloudy and slightly thick mixture.
- Apply it with a sponge to the desired places. Wipe off all traces of the pen with light movements.
- Wash using a machine.
If there is no household soap, then it will be well replaced by ordinary children’s or dishwashing detergent.
Salt
In this method, you will need a ready-made soapy solution. It will act as an effect amplifier. Salt will easily eat away old stains, saving the owner from the problem.
What shall I do:
- Wet the ink marks with a soapy solution.
- Sprinkle them with salt, wait about two hours.
- Wipe the treated area with a dry napkin and rinse.
You can also sprinkle the thing with salt for several days without using soap. Then you will only need to collect all the grains and wipe with cotton wool dipped in glycerin or turpentine.
Lemon juice
As a rule, freshly squeezed citrus juice is used to clean white clothes. However, this should be done carefully so as not to leave new stains on them.
How to clean a thing:
- Squeeze the juice from one lemon, mix with salt to get a thick paste.
- Apply to the ink strips for half an hour.
- Wash clothes.
The exposure time depends on how old the stain is. It may deviate from the specified within 15 minutes.
Soda
This method of getting rid of ink from clothes made of delicate materials is used for absolutely any things. It will be necessary to make a special paste.
How to act:
- Mix soda with water to make a thick paste.
- Spread it on the marks from the pen. Wait 10 minutes.
- Wash all areas with warm water.
This is a safe method that will not harm any kind of material.
Mustard
Another way to remove a ballpoint pen ink stain from “delicate” clothes. The use of mustard gives a stunning effect, while it does not cause any harm.
How to use:
- Pour a sufficient amount of dry mustard powder on the marked places.
- After waiting a day, wash these areas in warm water.
If it was not possible to wash away a delicate thing, then you should resort to other methods. But do not forget about the dangers and risks.
Milk
Regular milk copes very well with the task. It easily removes ink marks from clothes, making them beautiful again.
How to clean properly:
- Heat the milk, put a thing in it.
- Remove after 30 minutes, clean and wash.
The use of sour milk will be no less effective. If it is, then the fermented milk product should be applied to all the necessary points for 15 minutes, then simply wash the clothes.
Stain removers
Special means show high effectiveness of their use. Any of them should be used according to the instructions.
How to use stain remover:
- Pour the product on the problem area. Wait the necessary time.
- Machine wash with conditioner.
Such substances are also allowed to be added to washing together with powder.
Hydrogen peroxide with ammonia
A mixture of two popular means easily copes with most pollution. The pen was no exception. This method is most effective when removing stains from a shirt made of dense cotton.
How to act:
- Mix peroxide and ammonia in a teaspoon, dilute in a glass of water.
- Pour over the marked areas. Allow to absorb after waiting a few minutes.
- Wash the thing.
It is recommended to additionally wash the traces with a soapy solution.
Vinegar
Using vinegar is an effective way to restore the former appearance of any thing. But it is unsuitable for delicate fabrics, as it can damage them.
How to mix ink:
- Heat the acetic acid to 60 °C.
- Treat all traces with it for 15 minutes.
- Wash clothes.
In the same way, a mixture of acetone and alcohol is used, the proportions of which should be equal.
Glycerin with alcohol
A popular option for cleaning clothes from “drawings” with a ballpoint pen. It can also be dangerous for delicate things, but it allows you to remove ink extremely efficiently and quickly.
How to apply:
- Mix both components in equal amounts.
- Treat all the blue stripes by rubbing them hard.
- It remains to wash the thing in the usual way. It is recommended to add conditioner to avoid the presence of an unpleasant smell.
Ammonia
You will need a small bottle of ammonia. It will help to quickly get rid of traces of a fabric pen.
What is needed:
- Dilute ammonia (1 tablespoon) in water (200 ml), heat.
- Wet any clean rag with the solution, apply it to the desired point.
- Iron the areas with an iron.
- Put the classic wash.
This substance is suitable for white clothes, and shows the greatest effectiveness when working with cotton or linen.
Unusual means
If the listed options are not suitable or do not show results, then at home it will be possible to apply a few more unusual methods:
- Turpentine – soak a cotton swab, wipe the ink strips with it;
- Cosmetic cream – apply the substance to the traces of the pen, wipe with a soft sponge;
- Hairspray – spray on problem areas, wipe with a dry tissue, then repeat;
- Gasoline or kerosene – wipe the contaminated areas with a wet cloth, wash off the remains with hydrochloric acid;
- Match head – crush several pieces, apply to the ink, rub them with light movements;
- Paraffin – rub on ink, on clothes, wait a couple of minutes, remove the substance.
Such products can damage the fabric. Extreme caution should be exercised when using them.
Each of the present methods has repeatedly proven its effectiveness. They can remove ink stains of any complexity. The main thing is to be careful not to damage your clothes.