How to Get Ink Out of Dried Clothes

By: Melissa J. Bell

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Bad news for the accident-prone office workers, artists, writers and everymen amongst us -- ink is one of the most difficult stains to remove from clothing once dried. Knock an inkwell into your lap, smudge an inkwash art piece with your sleeve, leave a pen in your pocket or handle a computer printout too soon and your clothing might as well be history -- or so you think. Although fresh ink stains lift more easily, you can still get your clothes looking good as new later, at the end of the day or even the week.

Step 1

Wet a sponge with cold water and dab at the stain. Spritz a small amount of hairspray on the wet mark, and blot the front and back of the stain with a white paper towel. Treat the spot with a squirt of liquid stain remover, and launder the garment in a cold water wash cycle. Let the garment air dry.

Step 2

Stretch the garment beneath a faucet and run cold water through it repeatedly if the stain remains after laundering. Make a paste of a powder detergent like borax and lemon juice, and rub it gently into the stain. Let the paste sit for 30 minutes, launder the garment in cold water and let it air dry.

Step 3

Gently rub petroleum jelly into the remaining stain. Pour 1 teaspoon of liquid detergent onto the stain and let it sit for 20 minutes. Launder the garment in cold water.

Step 4

Rub a small amount of liquid hand soap into the stain and rinse it under cold water.

Step 5

Dab rubbing alcohol or nonacetone nail polish remover onto the stain. Blot the top and back sides of the stain with a white paper towel. Rinse under cold water with 1/4 cup of vinegar, and rinse again in plain cold water.

Step 6

Blot at any remaining ink marks with a baby wipe, and machine wash the garment in cold water.

Step 7

Spread foam shaving cream, which contains several types of alcohol, over the stain. Blot the stain with a white paper towel, and launder it in cold water and let it air dry.