How to Remove Pen Stains from White Clothes: A Step-by-Step Guide
Accidentally getting a pen stain on your white clothes can be frustrating and stressful. However, with the right techniques and cleaning solutions, you can remove the stain and restore your garment to its original whiteness. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to remove pen stains from white clothes.
Identifying the Type of Pen Stain
Before you start the cleaning process, it’s essential to identify the type of pen stain you’re dealing with. There are two main types of pen stains:
- Water-based pen stains: These stains are caused by pens that contain water-based ink, such as ballpoint pens and rollerball pens. Water-based pen stains are relatively easy to remove.
- Solvent-based pen stains: These stains are caused by pens that contain solvent-based ink, such as felt-tip pens and permanent markers. Solvent-based pen stains are more challenging to remove and may require more aggressive cleaning methods.
Removing Water-Based Pen Stains
To remove water-based pen stains from white clothes, follow these steps:
- Act quickly: The sooner you treat the stain, the better. Water-based pen stains can set over time, making them more difficult to remove.
- Blot the stain: Gently blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove as much of the excess ink as possible. Don’t rub the stain, as this can spread it further.
- Apply a stain remover: Apply a stain remover, such as Shout or OxiClean, directly to the stain. Follow the product’s instructions and make sure to test a small area of the garment first.
- Soak the garment: Soak the garment in cold water for about an hour to help loosen the stain.
- Wash the garment: Wash the garment in cold water using a mild detergent. Check to see if the stain is still visible before putting it in the dryer.
- Repeat if necessary: If the stain is still visible after washing, repeat the stain removal process until the stain is gone.
Removing Solvent-Based Pen Stains
To remove solvent-based pen stains from white clothes, follow these steps:
- Act quickly: As with water-based pen stains, it’s essential to act quickly to remove solvent-based pen stains.
- Blot the stain: Gently blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove as much of the excess ink as possible.
- Apply a solvent-based stain remover: Apply a solvent-based stain remover, such as Goo Gone or WD-40, directly to the stain. Follow the product’s instructions and make sure to test a small area of the garment first.
- Let it sit: Let the stain remover sit on the stain for about 10-15 minutes to help loosen the ink.
- Wash the garment: Wash the garment in cold water using a mild detergent. Check to see if the stain is still visible before putting it in the dryer.
- Repeat if necessary: If the stain is still visible after washing, repeat the stain removal process until the stain is gone.
Additional Tips
- Always test a small area of the garment before applying any cleaning solutions to ensure they won’t damage the fabric.
- Avoid using hot water, as this can set the stain and make it more difficult to remove.
- Don’t dry clean a garment with a pen stain, as this can push the stain deeper into the fabric.
- Consider taking the garment to a professional cleaner if the stain is particularly stubborn or large.
By following these steps and using the right cleaning solutions, you should be able to remove pen stains from your white clothes. Remember to act quickly and be patient, as removing pen stains can take time and effort.
Family left a pen in their pocket and it ruined our white clothing in the dryer, any ideas on how to fix it? I really don't want to throw these away
Oof, it looks like they went through the dry cycle which means the stains are pretty well baked-in.
Hydrogen oxide mixed with baking soda and rubbing alcohol for 1-2 hours of how deep it is.
What type of pen? Like, what’s the name on the side?
For most ink stains soak in alcohol for 15 minutes, blot with paper towels. then wash in cold water with detergent.
Try to work with the Alcohol outside if possible.
By the way is there a time limit? It’s 1am for me right now and I’m panicking as I won’t be able to properly deal with these until 6pm
If it doesn’t work out, consider coloring them entirely.
best to take it to a professional for an opinion.
if you insist on DIY, the only thing that works in your favor is that it’s white, which means that you don’t have to protect the color. tightly tie off the stained parts. soak the tied-off parts in a light mineral oil overnight. then clean with dawn to remove the oil. some of the ink will be gone. re-tie the stained parts tightly. put the tied-off parts into a container with isopropyl alcohol. soak for several days, changing the alcohol when it discolors. then soak and wash in oxygen bleach, several times. if there’s still stain, maybe a weak chlorine bleach.
Hairspray
Back in the day I would say take it to your dry cleaner and see if they offer bulk dry cleaning. basically they just toss it in a net bag run it through and hand it back to you no ironing or spot checking, but its way cheaper.
If they went through the dryer, they are likely screwed. But if you want to try, hit the spots with hairspray. Someone told me that years ago, and it actually worked! Again, if yours were already in the dryer…
This is going to sound really weird. Try hairspray. I used to have a job where our clothes were often messed up by ink. We’d spray the dickens out of the spot, let it sit a bit then launder. Not sure if it will work on something that’s been in the dryer.
… Is there an option to dye them black?
sounds really odd and might not work but sunscreen is a pro at getting sharpie off skin & walls, maybe trying to rub sunscreen in and rinse and repeat?
Hair spray!!
Amodex and pray. It’s unlikely that you’ll get all of it out, though.
Bleach maybe?