How to Remove Ink Stains From Fabric
Getting ink out of fabric is a tricky business, often best handled by a dry cleaner. If you want to try it yourself, though, here's what to do.
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No matter what you spilled on your clothes or furnishings, we can tell you how to get it out.
You Will Need
- Denatured alcohol, also known as methylated spirit
- Cotton balls or pads
- Salt
- Milk
- Soapy water
Steps
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Step 1
Treat it immediately
Treat the stain immediately. Ink stains are almost impossible to get out once they've set in.
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Step 2
Make sure it's washable
Make sure the item is washable. If not, take it to the dry cleaner.
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Step 3
Apply denatured alcohol
Pour enough denatured alcohol to saturate the stain, and then gently press a cotton pad or a couple of cotton balls moistened with the alcohol on top of the spot.
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Denatured alcohol, also called methylated spirit, is available at hardware stores.
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Step 4
Change the cotton
As the cotton soaks up the ink, replace it with fresh, alcohol-moistened pads or cotton balls, repeating until they have picked up all the ink they can.
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Step 5
Flush the stain
Flush the stain with the alcohol and then let it dry completely.
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If the ink is water-based, like the ink from a felt-tip pen, alcohol may not remove the whole stain. Apply soapy water; then flush the stain with warm water before proceeding.
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Step 6
Salt it
If any ink remains, gently rub some salt into it, and soak the stain in milk overnight.
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Step 7
Rinse it
Rinse the area with cold water. Launder as usual.
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During the Revolutionary War, both sides sent messages in invisible ink, written between the lines of an innocent letter in regular ink, in case the enemy found them.
