by Kimberly Smith

Created on: February 20, 2009

There are tons of products on the market that boast that they can remove any stain, all stains, at the same time. They come in sprays and rubs and gels and powders. But how can any single product tackle all the messes we get into and effectively remove the stain completely and properly?

Ink is a difficult stain to deal with. It falls into a few different categories. Water based ink stains are easier to remove than some of the others. They also include markers that are available in different colors. Permanent ink stains can present a much tougher challenge and include permanent highlighters and markers.

Water Based Ink Stains
Lay the stained area on top of a clean dry white towel. Apply water to the ink stain and blot with another clean white cloth, removing the stain as you blot. Apply your normal liquid laundry detergent onto the ink stain and allow the garment to sit for 3-5 minutes. Wash in the warmest water that the fabric can tolerate. Before drying, double check to make sure the ink stain was removed, if it wasn't, repeat the previous process until it has been removed.

Permanent Ink Stains
It is important to remember that permanent inks and markers represent some of the most difficult stains to remove. If a permanent ink stain happens on fabric or patterns that cannot be treated with bleach, it will be extremely difficult if not impossible to remove. You can try and you might have some success, but dont count too much on it. The first solution to try is rubbing alcohol. Place the clothing on top of a clean white towel. Be sure to test a hidden spot before applying rubbing alcohol to the permanent ink stain. the towel underneath will become wet and discolored from the ink. Be sure to move the garment to a clean dry section of the towel as this happens. Continue until no more ink stain can be removed. Make sure you rinse the stained area completely free of the rubbing alcohol.

Next you can try fingernail polish remover. Blot in the same fashion as you did with the rubbing alcohol, moving the stained area to a clean dry section of the towel as the ink stain is removed. Rinse the polish remover throughly from the stained fabric.

As a last resort,you can try acetone, although this doesn't do well with a lot of fabric types such as acetate adn rayon. Test first in a hidden area. Apply the acetone in the same way as the rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover, remember to rinse throughly.

Next try rubbing baking soda mixed with water into the ink stain. Rinse throughly. Apply a stain stick, gel or spray commercial cleaners to the ink stain and wash according to the fabric directions. If the stain still remains after washing,try repeating the baking soda step again before rewashing and drying.

Ballpoint Ink Stains
Lay the stained area on top of a clean dry white towel. Apply rubbing alcohol to the ink stain and blot with another clean white cloth, removing the stain as you blot. Rinse throughly. Lay the stained area on top of a clean dry white towel. Apply nail polish remover to the ink stain and blot with another clean white cloth, removing the stain as you blot. Rinse throughly.
Apply your normal liquid laundry detergent onto the ink stain and allow the garment to sit for 3-5 minutes. Wash in the warmest water that the fabric can tolerate. Before drying double check to make sure the stain was removed. If not repeat eh previous steps until the stain appears to be removed.

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