As a writer, I’m often pounding away at my keyboard to meet deadlines. But I love the feel of a pen on paper, so I still prefer a paper planner and notebook to jot down notes, ideas, and bits of my next novel. I’m a little appalled by the number of pens on my desk: everything from rollerballs to multicolored gels to ballpoints.
I also have a few fountain pens, but they’re mostly on display due to an unfortunate incident involving a spare cartridge and a white shirt. Even though I’m just one refill away from another disaster, it makes me want to try those fountain pens again. If you’re wondering how to get ink out of Clothes, I promise I’ll be more prepared this time.
In fact, I decided to learn how to get ink out of clothes by testing different methods, so I could be at least one step ahead of my future clumsy self. Here’s what I learned after testing five different, popular methods I found online. If you’ve ever faced ink stains, you’ve probably wondered how to get ink out of clothes effectively.
How I always tested the methods
I used a single white cotton T-shirt as my canvas for testing how to get ink out of clothes using different methods. I wrote the name of each method on the shirt using a regular blue ink pen, so I had no doubts about which removal method to try in that section. I followed each method with a clean cloth or cotton pad, then washed the shirt on a regular wash cycle and let it air dry.
Ratings: I gave each method two scores, one for results and one for ease of use. I used a scale of one to five, with five being the highest and one being the lowest.
Method 1: Dish soap and water
Results: 3/5
Ease of use: 4/5
Method: I always like to start with the obvious choice when learning how to get ink out of clothes—dish soap and water. I dampened the stained area with water, then applied a dab of dish soap to a damp cloth. I rubbed the soap into the cloth with my finger to loosen it up a bit before applying it to the shirt.
How it went: I realized I was being overly optimistic. The ink stayed there. I tried not to rub it and just kept dabbing it, but I didn’t see much fading. I was hoping that there was enough pre-treatment to make it fade in the wash. After the shirt went through the washing machine, the ink definitely faded, but it didn’t fade at all. Many cleaning methods for how to get ink out of clothes recommend repeating the process for better results, and this is clearly one of them.
Method 2: Isopropyl alcohol
Results: 4/5
Ease of use: 3/5
Method: When figuring out how to get ink out of clothes, one effective method is to dampen a cotton ball or cloth with isopropyl alcohol. Pour the detergent over the stain.
How it went: Not bad. I could see the color start to fade as the cotton absorbed the alcohol, and the ink almost came out in the wash. Patience is key when learning how to get ink out of clothes, and dabbing rather than rubbing can help the stain disappear completely.
Method 3: Acetone-based nail polish remover
Results: 4/5
Ease of use: 3/5
Method: How to get ink out of clothes with acetone-based nail polish remover follows a similar process to isopropyl alcohol: dampen a cotton ball or cloth, then dab it on the stain. Again, it can take a while because you’ll need to dab rather than rub the stain, which can cause the ink to transfer. Remember, you’re not removing nail polish, you’re trying to get the ink off a T-shirt.
How it went: Don’t worry. The color may actually be brighter at first, but then, just like with isopropyl alcohol, it will start to fade as you apply it. There’s only a slight stain left after washing, and that’s my fault because I focused on one part of the stain more than the rest. Patience is key when trying how to get ink out of clothes; continue dabbing until the entire stain is treated before washing.
Method 4: Hairspray
Rating: 0/5
Ease of Use: 5/5
Method: I was excited to try this method to see if hairspray really works for how to get ink out of clothes. I have vague memories of someone using it to help me with an ink accident years ago. I liked it because you literally spray the hairspray on the fabric until it covers the stain, then blot the stain with a cloth.
How it went: Oh boy, send help. The spray I used was “extra tight control” and since the stain stayed extra tight, it must have mixed the hair ink. No, it was worse. The ink looked brighter, but unlike the nail polish method, this one didn’t fade at all. I was surprised when I put the shirt in the washing machine, but I wasn’t surprised at all when the stain was still there, clear as day. What magic hairspray did I use to get the ink out years ago? Unfortunately, this method didn’t work for me this time.
Method 5: Vinegar and cornstarch
Rating: 3/5
Ease of use: 0/5
Method: When researching how to get ink out of clothes, I found a method recommended by the pros at Molly Maid using vinegar and cornstarch. but it didn’t make enough of a paste. I added more cornstarch and started mixing cement in the kitchen. I tried to get it to work, but even with more vinegar, the cornstarch hardened. Needless to say, I had a hard time spreading it on the shirt, but I finally got a coat. I should have waited for it to dry before brushing it on, but instead it just fell off in patches.
How it went: Vinegar and cornstarch can beat hairspray any day of the week, but the stain could definitely benefit from another round of this paste (which, no thanks). I’ll have to take my chances and use a different method or stain remover instead of mixing the concrete again.
Final Thoughts
Wow, learning how to get ink out of clothes is even less fun than watching ink stain your shirt. Hairspray, you disappoint me. Dish soap, you disappoint me too. While I would prefer never to talk about vinegar and cornstarch again, I will chalk the latter up to user error.
Among the best methods for how to get ink out of clothes, isopropyl alcohol and acetone-based nail polish remover remove most of the ink, keep in mind that I used these harsh chemicals on sturdy white cotton that is durable enough to handle both products.
While testing how to get ink out of clothes, I realized that these harsh chemicals might not be ideal for delicate or colored fabrics. Of course, given the alternative of never wearing an ink-stained shirt again, I would try it with a mild rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover and then throw the product straight into the washing machine. Or maybe it’s time to start writing with pens. If all else fails, the best advice for how to get ink out of clothes might just be to invest in stain-resistant shirts—or switch to pencils!
