How to Get Pen Stains out of Clothing

It’s frustrating when you discover a fresh pen stain on your favorite blouse or brand new pair of pants. The good news is that although removing pen stains is tough, it’s not impossible. The key is to act quickly, avoid rubbing the stain in more, and not to put your stained garment in the dryer. By following these rules, and applying a stain remover like rubbing alcohol or detergent, you can have your clothes looking clean and new again.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using a Stain Remover

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Look in the laundry aisle at your local grocery store or shopping center and see if you can find a stain remover that says something like “removes ink stains” or “eliminates pen stains” on it.
Try to lift as much of the ink stain as you can using just the cloth.^{[1]XResearch source}
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If the stain remover you’re using comes in a spray bottle, spray it directly on the stain. If you’re using a stain-removing pen, draw over the surface of the stain with the tip of the pen until the entire stain is covered with the stain remover.^{[2]XResearch source}
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Try a Tide Pen for a quick fix. Ilya Ornatov, the founder and owner of NW Maids, says: "You can use a Tide Pen or even rubbing alcohol to remove ink stains. Soak the stain with the Tide Pen and then place the clothes in the laundry on a normal cycle."
Read the instructions that came with the stain remover to see how long you should leave it on the garment. If you’re not sure, leave it on for about ten minutes.^{[3]XResearch source}
You should begin to notice more of the ink transferring from the stained garment to the cloth. This is a sign that the stain remover is working.^{[4]XResearch source}
This will prevent the ink from transferring to other clothes in the wash. Wash the stained garment on the same setting you normally would.^{[5]XResearch source}
If it didn't, repeat the process, starting with applying the stain remover to the stain.^{[6]XResearch source}
Never put stained clothing in the dryer, as the heat will set the stain and make it much harder to remove.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Rubbing Alcohol

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You can find rubbing alcohol at your local drugstore or pharmacy.^{[7]XResearch source}
2
Apply the rubbing alcohol to the stain using a cloth or cotton ball. Gently dab it on and let it sit for two minutes.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Never rub anything into a pen stain, as rubbing may cause the stain to sink in and spread more. Always dab onto a stain instead.
Apply pressure with your hand to encourage more of the ink to lift off the stained garment. Periodically check the cloth for ink to see if the rubbing alcohol is working. You should start to see some of the ink transferring from the stained garment onto the cloth.^{[9]XResearch source}
Make sure you've lifted all of the ink you can using the cloth.^{[10]XResearch source}
You can do this by hand in the sink with detergent or by using a machine. Once the garment’s been washed, check to see if the stain is gone.^{[11]XResearch source}
Keep trying to lift more and more of the ink off the garment using rubbing alcohol and a cloth. If the rubbing alcohol stops working, you may need to try a different method to remove the stain.^{[12]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Glycerin

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You can find liquid glycerin at your local drugstore or pharmacy.^{[13]XResearch source}
Dab it onto the stained garment so the entire stain is covered, and let it set.^{[14]XResearch source}
Mix the detergent and water together in the bowl.^{[15]XResearch source}
Gently rub the surface of the stain using the cotton swab to help the detergent mixture lather.^{[16]XResearch source}
Check to see if the stain is gone after the garment is finished washing. If the stain is still there, repeat the process.^{[17]XResearch source}

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Hairspray

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Avoid hairsprays with added perfumes, oils, or conditioners, as they can stain and damage clothing. Check the ingredients list on the bottle before using a hairspray.^{[18]XResearch source}
This will prevent the hairspray from drying out on the stain.^{[19]XResearch source}
Hold the hairspray about 2 inches (5 cm) from the stain while you're spraying. Make sure the stain is completely soaked with hairspray.^{[20]XResearch source}
Use a toothbrush for smaller stains.^{[21]XResearch source}
Check to see if the pen stain is gone before you put the garment in the dryer. If the stain is still there, apply more hairspray to the stain or try using a different stain remover.

Community Q&A

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Question
How do I get ink stains out of clothes that have been in the dryer?
Community Answer
It's still possible to remove an ink stain that has been set in the dryer, but it might take longer. Start with a store-bought stain remover, as they will be the most effective. If you use rubbing alcohol, glycerin, or hairspray, you may need to repeat the process several times before the stain is completely removed.
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Question
Does the material of the clothing matter?
Community Answer
Yes, some materials are harder to work with than others. If you're trying to remove a stain from a delicate fabric - like silk - look for a stain remover at the store that's designed for delicate clothing. Also, be careful using hairspray or rubbing alcohol on delicate fabrics as they could cause color bleeding or other damage.
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How can I get blue pen stains out of a cream colored hoodie?
Community Answer
You would still follow the same instructions listed above. However, you may want to spray it with extra spot treatment as soon as you can, so that it does not have a chance to really set in deep.
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Tips

Always test a stain remover on a small, non-visible portion of your garment before you apply it to a stain.^{[22]XResearch source}
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Never try to rub away a stain. Rubbing will push stains further into the fabric and make them harder to remove.^{[23]XResearch source}
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The sooner you try to remove a stain, the easier it will be to get it out. Avoid letting stains set in for a long period of time.^{[24]XTrustworthy SourceConsumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testingGo to source}
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