It may feel like a disaster when you accidentally stain your clothes with some ink, but don’t worry. This guide will teach you how to get ink out of clothes without permanently damaging your lovely clothes. Ink stains can be extremely stubborn, but you can easily remove them using the right approach and materials, leaving no traces left.
Why It’s Important to Know How to Get Ink Out of Clothes
Stains happen to the best of us no matter if you are a student, a professional, or someone working on a creative project. Knowing how to remove ink from clothes ensures you can act fast and can prevent the stain from deepening itself in your clothes. The more time that ink has to sit, the harder it may be to take it out. Fortunately, many effective methods use everyday household items to help make ink stains a thing of the past.
Best Methods for How to Get Ink Out of Clothes at Home
Rubbing Alcohol and Cotton Balls: The Quick Fix
Rubbing alcohol may be the most popular home remedy for getting ink out of clothes. You can easily purchase one at a nearby convenience store, and you only need to do a few simple steps to apply it:
- Place the stained area over a clean towel.
- Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and gently dab the ink stain.
- Continue blotting until the ink transfers from the fabric to the cotton ball.
- Once the stain fades, wash the garment in cold water.
This method works best on fresh stains but can also be effective for older, set-in ink.
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How to Use Dish Soap and Baking Soda to Remove Ink Stains
Another good method of teaching how to remove ink from clothes is by using dish soap and baking soda. You can try this at home like this:
- Apply some drops of the dish soap directly onto the ink stain.
- Sprinkle some little amount of baking soda above the soap.
- Rub the mixture into the cloth using your fingers or soft cloth.
- Rinse with cold water and wash as usual.
The combination of dish soap and baking soda helps break down the ink, making it easier to remove without damaging the fabric.
Vinegar and Cornstarch: A Natural Way to Remove Ink
For a non-chemical removal method, vinegar and cornstarch assist those seeking a more herbal approach on how to remove ink from clothes:

- Soak the stained area in white vinegar for 10 minutes.
- Create a paste using cornstarch and a little bit of water.
- Spread the paste over the ink stain and let it sit until dry.
- Brush off the cornstarch, and then launder the garment in cold water.
This method is very gentle on the fabrics, thus you can try it on delicate clothing.
Why Acting Fast Is Key When Dealing with Ink Stains
The best time to treat ink stains is immediately after the spill. The ink hasn’t yet truly become one with the fibers of the fabric, making it more amenable to treatments. The longer you wait, the more likely the ink is to bind to the fabric and you’ll have an extremely hard time getting it to go away. No matter if you’re using rubbing alcohol, dish soap, or vinegar, treating it immediately will make it as likely as it can be to work.
Can All Types of Ink Be Removed from Clothes?
Not all inks are the same. Some inks are water-based, and others are oil-based, such as that of ballpoint pens. Knowing how to get ink out of clothes depends also on knowing the type of ink you’re dealing with. Water-based inks, for instance, belong to the washable kind-they are easier to clean and usually come out with just soap and water. Some inks are persistent, requiring rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, or other strong cleaning agents to remove. Check Here.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Remove Ink
When you’re learning how to get ink out of clothes, there are plenty of mistakes you want to steer clear of to avoid worsening the stain. Never rub the stain because this could spread the ink and damage the fabric. Always blot the stain gently, and work from the outside of the stain toward the center so that you do not spread the ink. Never use hot water when rinsing out the stain, as heat can set the ink to deepen into the fabric.

1. Can you remove ink stains from dry-clean-only clothes?
Yes, but these clothes are best to be taken to professional dry cleaning. Self-stain removal may damage the fabric.
2. Is rubbing alcohol safe to use on all fabrics?
Rubbing alcohol can be used on most fabrics, but make sure to test a small inconspicuous area, especially for silk items, as you do not want them to be damaged.
3. How do you remove ink marks on white clothes without leaving a mark?
Hydrogen peroxide or bleach, in small quantities, can be used to assist in lifting the stain without leaving a discoloration on white clothes.
4. What if the ink stain does not come out after the first attempt?
Repeat the method you used or try a different one. It may take several attempts before you completely remove the ink.
5. Can I use an ink remover pen to remove ink stains?
Yes, stain remover pens are effective for small ink stains, especially if you’re always out and about, and needing a quick fix.

Conclusion
Ink stains may be frustrating, but they’re not the end of the road for your favorite clothes. Knowing how to remove ink from clothing using items you probably have at home, such as rubbing alcohol, dish soap, and vinegar, can save your attire. Don’t forget to act fast, test your cleaning method in a small area of the fabric before you apply it, and don’t rub. Well, with these, you can wash out the ink stains on your clothes and have them look like new again.