Laundry Experts Share How to Remove Ink Stains From Clothes

Many people think that an ink stain means a shirt or handbag is ruined. And while these unsightly stains can feel catastrophic, cleaning pros explain that it’s actually possible to remove them using supplies you probably already have at home. We tapped experts to explain how to remove ink from clothes.

The strategies below work whether you’re trying to remove oil-based pigments from ballpoint pens or permanent marker ink. As is the case with almost any stain, ink stains will be easier to remove when they’re fresh. It’s also best to avoid putting items through the dryer until you’re sure the stain has been removed. That said, it’s not impossible to remove dried or set-in ink stains.

Experts from the Home Care and Cleaning Lab have filled us in on how to remove ink stains with rubbing alcohol, ammonia, or nail polish remover. Plus, they shared what not to use when you’re looking to get an ink stain out of fabric. If you’re looking for tips on how to remove other types of tricky stains, read our guides on how to remove dye stains, how to get rid of yellow sweat stains, and how to get paint out of clothes.

Removing ink with rubbing alcohol works best on fresh ink stains, especially on the oil-based pigments in ballpoint pen ink. This method may also be effective on permanent marker ink, too. As with any stain, the quicker you get to it, the easier it will be to remove. Keep in mind: Rubbing alcohol is flammable, so keep it away from open flames and launder all garments thoroughly after treating.

What You’ll Need:

• Paper towels
• Rubbing alcohol
• Eyedropper
• Pre-wash stain remover

1. Flush the stain with rubbing alcohol. If it’s a small stain, place a paper towel under the stain and use an eyedropper to apply rubbing alcohol. For a larger spot, pour the alcohol into a small dish, immerse the stained area, and soak for 15 minutes.
2. Blot the stain with a clean paper towel. Continue sponging and blotting the stain until no further ink is released from the fabric.
3. Rinse and apply a pre-wash stain remover. Rinse under cool water, apply a pre-wash stain remover, and wash the garment on the hottest setting with a bleach that’s safe for the fabric—opt for a color-safe formula for colored clothes.
4. Check that the ink stain is completely removed. If the stain is still there, repeat the steps above one more time or until the ink is gone. Toss the item into the dryer only after the ink is completely gone.

By breaking down the dye pigments in ink, ammonia makes it easier to rinse out stains with water. Try this method on ballpoint or felt-tip ink for the best results.

What You’ll Need:

• Hot water
• Ammonia
• Stain-removing laundry detergent

1. Rinse the stain under cold water. Flush out as much of the ink as you can.
2. Soak garment in a mixture of hot water, bleach-free laundry detergent, and ammonia. Fill a basin with hot water and pour in a bleach-free, liquid laundry detergent (like one of our top-tested detergents) and a few splashes of ammonia. Stir the solution and immerse the garment. Give the stain a rub with your fingers, and let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Allow stubborn stains to soak overnight, giving it a rub every so often.
3. Rinse and wash the garment as usual. When the stain is gone or lightened as much as possible, rinse the garment. Wash as usual with a fabric-safe bleach, either by hand or in the washing machine. As with any stain, don’t put the garment in the dryer until you are certain the stain is completely removed.

Need a quick fix? Try nail polish remover to remove fresh ink stains. Similar to rubbing alcohol, acetone-based nail polish removers help break down pigment. Keep in mind: Acetone is a powerful solvent, so don’t submerge clothing in the product.

What You’ll Need

• Acetone-based nail polish remover
• Cloth or cotton rounds

1. Blot the stain. Apply a few drops of acetone-based nail polish remover to a clean cloth or cotton ball, then gently blot the stain. Take your time blotting the stain until it begins to lift—don’t rub or the stain may spread.
2. Rinse the garment, then wash it on a regular cycle. Run the garment under cool water to remove the acetone. If the stain is still visible, apply a pre-wash stain remover. Wash the garment as usual with a fabric-safe bleach in the hottest setting that’s safe for the fabric.

If you’ve realized a garment fresh out of the dryer has an ink stain or you’ve let a fresh stain sit a bit too long, you may not be completely out of luck. If the methods above don’t completely remove the set-in stain, turn to stronger commercial stain removers.

Pro tip: Before trying a stain remover for the first time or using one on a new garment, test it in a hidden spot before applying it to the stain. If you don’t see any color change or damage, it’s safe to proceed. Try one of the best laundry stain removers, according to Good Housekeeping Institute testing.

Over the years, hairspray has earned a reputation for removing ink stains because of the alcohol in its formula. However, some of today’s sprays contain less alcohol, so they aren’t as effective on ink stains as older formulas may have been. Plus, you still have to deal with removing the sticky hairspray residue.

Other DIY methods you may have seen touted as effective ink removers include vinegar, toothpaste, and even hand sanitizer. Though the alcohol in hand sanitizer may budge it a bit (as will most other DIY methods containing alcohol), we’ve never found any of these alternatives to be effective.

Rubbing alcohol in small amounts should not cause damage to most fabrics. As with any store-bought or other DIY stain remover, you should test it on a small hidden spot before using it on the visible part of any garment.