Remove an Ink Stain from a Shirt Pocket

When the pen inside the pocket of your shirt leaks and makes an ugly ink stain, you want to get rid of your stained shirt already. Even though ink is a tough stain to remove, there are different ways you can do to deal with it. So instead of getting rid of your shirt, follow the steps below to get rid of the ink stain instead.

Steps

Try to deal with the ink stain on the pocket of your shirt immediately as it happens. You will have a harder task removing the stain once it sets in. Remove the excess ink by blotting the stained area with a dry cloth or a paper towel. Put a little pressure on it to remove the excess ink. Blot only and don't rub or scrub since rubbing could spread the stain. Change the cloth when needed. Try to remove as much ink as you can working from the outside towards the center. This will prevent the stain from spreading.

Below are different methods to remove ink stains. Choose a method appropriate for the kind of ink that stained your pocket shirt. First, test the stain lifter you are going to use on a hidden part of the shirt to ensure that it won't damage the fabric.

Water-based Ink Stain

A water-based ink stain is easy to remove especially if you treat it right away.

  1. Lay your shirt on white paper towels.
  2. Spray a little amount of water on the stained area. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
  3. Blot the stain with a clean white cloth to absorb the ink. Repeat the spraying and blotting process until the cloth is not getting any more of the ink. Replace the cloth and the paper towels under the shirt as needed.
  4. Combine 1 tablespoon of dish-washing detergent, 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and a cup of water in a small bowl.
  5. Soak a clean, white cloth with the solution and apply it to the stained area. Let it sit for about 20 minutes.
  6. Rub the shirt together with your fingers to help the solution lift the ink stain.
  7. Wash your shirt in the warmest water temperature safe for the fabric. If the ink stain is still visible, try using the other methods under "Non Water-based Ink stain" to completely remove the stain.

Non Water-based Ink Stain

Ballpoint pen ink and permanent ink are tough stains to remove. You might need to do more than one of the methods below to effectively get rid of that stubborn ink stain from your shirt pocket.

Using Nail Polish Remover

  1. Put the shirt on a firm surface or keep your palm on the inner side of the stain area to provide support.
  2. Dab a small quantity of nail polish remover on a cotton or soft cloth, and rub it gently to the stain area. Gradually the ink stain will start lifting off.
  3. Run the shirt under tap water.
  4. Hang the shirt out to dry.

Using Rubbing Alcohol

Ink stains often come out with rubbing alcohol. Use 90% isopropyl alcohol but you can use 70% if that's the only one you have.

  1. Lay your shirt faced down on white paper towels.
  2. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol directly on the stained area. Make sure you don't put too much alcohol as this might spread the stain.
  3. Blot the ink stain with a clean cloth to absorb the ink. Do not rub or wipe. Rubbing will cause the stain to spread. Repeat the applying and blotting process until the cloth is not absorbing any more ink. Make sure to change the cloth when it is saturated with ink.
  4. Rinse the shirt with cold water.
  5. Wash your shirt in the warmest water temperature safe for the fabric. Let it air dry.

Using Methylated Spirits

Methylated Spirits is a solvent that can help remove ink stains.

  1. Lay your shirt on a flat surface.
  2. Soak one pad of cotton wool in methylated spirits and place it under the stained area.
  3. Put a clean cotton wool pad on top of the stained area to absorb the ink. Repeat the blotting process until the top cotton pad is not getting any more of the ink. Make sure to change the cotton pads as needed.
  4. Rinse the shirt with cold water.
  5. Wash your shirt in the warmest water temperature safe for the fabric. Let it air dry.

Using Vinegar

Vinegar works wonder on ink stains. Its acetic properties make it remove stains effectively. Plus, it's safe to use, gentle on hands and environment friendly.

  1. Lay your shirt on a flat surface.
  2. Mix 1 tablespoon of dish-washing detergent and 1 cup water in a small bowl to make a solution.
  3. Apply the solution to the stain using a clean cloth.
  4. Add a few drops of white vinegar to the stained area. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
  5. Blot the stain with a clean cloth to absorb the ink. Change the cloth when needed. Repeat the applying and blotting process.
  6. Rinse the shirt with cold water.
  7. Wash your shirt in the warmest water temperature safe for the fabric. Let it air dry.

Tips

  • For really stubborn stains, using powerful cleaners may eventually remove the stains but there is also the possibility that the material will discolor.
  • You can use hairspray instead of alcohol to remove ink stains from your shirt pocket.

Warnings

  • Do not put your shirt in the dryer until you are sure that the stain is gone. The heat from the dryer will cause the stain to set on the fabric.
  • Work in a well-ventilated area. Fumes from the alcohol can cause you to be nauseous.

Things You'll Need

  • Small bowl
  • Spray bottle
  • White paper towels
  • White cloths
  • Cotton wool
  • Dish-washing detergent
  • White vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Methylated spirits

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Sources and Citations

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