How to Get Ink Stains Out of Fabric, Bedding, Linen & More

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Cleaning tips to remove fresh and dried ink stains from any fabric

Co-authored by Susan Stocker

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 Fact Checked

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Choosing a Cleaning Solution

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Removing the Ink Stain

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Video

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Your first instinct when you discover an ink stain on fabric may be to panic and throw the item away. Don't despair! There are actually several ways to successfully clean ink from fabric using common household cleaners you probably already have. With a little patience and some tried-and-true methods, you may be able to save your stained fabric.

Removing Pen Ink Stains From Fabric

Use dry paper towels to remove as much excess ink as possible.
Wet a cotton ball with hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, or acetone nail polish remover.
Spot-test the cleaning solvent on a discreet part of the fabric to ensure it doesn’t bleed.
Blot the stain with the cleaning solvent until no more ink comes out of the fabric.
Rinse out the cleaning solvent with soap and water, then let the fabric air dry.
If the stain persists, try a different cleaning solvent or take the item to a dry cleaner.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Choosing a Cleaning Solution

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1
Opt for alcohol-based solvents for most permanent ink stains.^{[1]
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Susan Stocker
Cleaning Guru

Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.} Permanent inks are usually oil-based and can be broken down by applying an alcohol-based solvent. There are many common household items that will work. Choose hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, or an acetone nail polish remover.^{[2]
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- Hairspray used to be the most recommended product for cleaning ink from fabrics. Today, however, most hairsprays are made with much less alcohol and will not be very effective at breaking down an ink stain.^{[3]
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- Don't water down or dilute the solvent in any way. You will apply it directly to the stain.
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Use soap and water to clean water-based ink stains. For semi-permanent and non-permanent water-based inks, you should be able to clean it up using dish soap, shampoo, or laundry detergent. To make the solution, just mix about 1 cup (240 ml) of warm water with a few drops of soap in a bowl.^{[4]
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- A mild laundry detergent will work best, but you can use a dye-free shampoo or soap as well.
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Make a vinegar and water solution to tackle tough stains. Vinegar can act a stronger solvent than some of your other alcohol-based cleaners, but it is also very acidic and corrosive and should be used with caution. Dilute the vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio. Either make the solution in a bowl and dip your cleaning cloths in it, or fill a small spray bottle with 1 part vinegar and 1 part room-temperature water.^{[5]
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- Don't use water that is too hot as it may damage your fabric when you apply it.
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Choose chlorine bleach on white fabrics as a last resort. If you have not been able to salvage the fabric with other methods, you can try a chlorine and water solution. Make the solution in a bowl or spray bottle with 1 part water to 1 part bleach.^{[6]
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- Chlorine bleach not only removes dyes from fabric, but it's also a harsh chemical that can break down the fibers and cause damage. Making a mistake with chlorine bleach is usually irreparable, so only use it with extreme caution.
- Color-safe non-chlorine bleach is not always as safe for fabric as it is advertised. Use it with caution and spot test a hidden part of the fabric first if you want to use it.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Removing the Ink Stain

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1
Soak up any wet ink as soon as you can with dry paper towels. If you get to the stain immediately after it happens, the first thing to do is quickly soap up as much ink as you can. Use dry paper towels or clean white rags and blot the spill until the stain no longer looks wet.^{[7]
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- If you are able to turn the fabric over, blot up excess ink that leaked through the reverse side as well.
- Keep blotting up the ink until no more comes off on the towel when you gently press on the stain.^{[8]
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Spot-test the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous part of the fabric.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Cleaning Guru

Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.} Choose an inside hem on an item of clothing or a hidden corner of carpet or upholstery and apply a little of the cleaning solution. Let it sit for a few minutes and make sure it doesn't fade the color or cause pigments in the fabric to bleed.^{[10]
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- If it does bleed or fade, choose a different cleaning solution and repeat the spot test.
Don't apply the cleaning solution directly to the fabric, as that may cause it to spread and make the problem worse. Instead, apply the solution to the cotton ball, cloth, or toothbrush first.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Susan Stocker
Cleaning Guru

Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.} You want it to be wet enough that the cleaning solution is soaked in, but not dripping wet.^{[12]
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Blot the stain with the solution until it's gone. Apply repeated gentle pressure on the stain, moving from the outside of the stain to the inside. Rotate the cloth or cotton ball as you dab to ensure you are using a clean part of it. Replace the cotton balls or cloth with new ones when they become saturated with ink to avoid spreading the stain farther. Repeat the process until no more ink comes out of the fabric and the stain disappears.^{[13]
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- If you are cleaning clothing or linens that you can easily move around, place a clean towel or paper bag underneath the fabric as you blot the ink so it can help to soak up any pigment that is soaking through the fabric.
- Never rub an ink stain—always blot—otherwise you will spread the stain around and make it worse.
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Wash away the cleaning solution with soap and water. If your fabric is clothing or linens and can be washed in the washing machine, launder as you normally would. If you are cleaning a carpet or upholstery, dab away the cleaning solution with a damp, slightly soapy cloth. Only use one or two drops of soap on the cloth so that you don't leave behind a soapy residue on the fabric's surface.^{[14]
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- Don't put clothes or linens in the dryer until you are certain all the ink has been removed. If there are still traces of ink, the heat from the dryer will set the stain and they may be impossible to remove after that.
If you aren't drying the fabric in the clothes dryer, you can either dab it with a clean towel or just let it air dry. Take care not to walk on carpet or sit on upholstery while it is still damp as dirt and oils from your clothes, shoes, or body may transfer into the fabric, creating another mess for you to clean up.^{[15]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I get rid of pen ink from fabric?

Susan Stocker
Stain Removal Specialist
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Stain Removal Specialist

Expert Answer

Use a product that contains alcohol as a solvent to help get rid of the ink. Lightly work the stain out of the fabric with a toothbrush.

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Question

Does hairspray remove ink?

Susan Stocker
Stain Removal Specialist
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Stain Removal Specialist

Expert Answer

Hairspray contains alcohol so it could remove ink, but alcohol-free spray will make your stain worse.

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How can I remove an old marker stain from a bed sheet?

Dionna Richardson

Community Answer

If the sheet has been washed and dried and it the stain is very old, you may not be able to get the stain out. However, you can try your luck at any of the methods above and it may at least fade the mark so it is no longer noticeable.

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Tips

For very valuable fabrics, such as high-quality rugs or furniture, it's best to have them cleaned by a professional. For clothing, contact a reputable dry cleaner and for rugs and furniture, seek out the assistance of an experienced in-home cleaning service.

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Warnings

Always blot, never rub, when you are dealing with ink stains. Rubbing the stain can push the ink deeper into the fabric fibers or cause it to spread out and make the stain bigger.

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