5 Steps to Removing an Ink Stain from your Clothes

Say goodbye to ink stains.

By Janine Giorgenti

Recently a client came to me with a complaint that – I’m sure – many of you can relate to. He had one too many perfectly good – dress shirts and slacks ruined by ink stains. It happens!

You may have dropped your pen on an article of clothing, or even worst, dealt with the leaky (or exploding) pen.

Now what?

Here’s a quick step by step plan to removing that ink stain and making your clothes look brand new.

Apply rubbing alcohol. This is the quickest (and strongest) way to remove ink stains from clothing. You will want to – liberally – pour rubbing alcohol directly to the affected area; and let it settle in for a few minutes. Following 10-15 minutes, put your stained clothes into a – regular – wash cycle.

Use hand sanitizer (yes). That little bottle, generally reserved for your car’s glove compartment, is actually a “rubberized” form of rubbing alcohol. Considering that most of you will – generally – not have a bottle of rubbing alcohol stashed away at your office desk – hand sanitizer becomes a very viable option to apply directly to ink stains. Like step 1, you will still want to put your affected clothes in a wash cycle.

Use dish soap. The detergent that you use to clean off the trickiest stains on your kitchen (or office) cutlery may actually be a very effective means to get that pesky ink stain out of your clothes. Here’s what you do: add 1/2 teaspoon of dish detergent with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, along with 1 quart of warm water. I call this the MacGyver approach. Apply this solution on the site of the stain – for approximately 30 minutes – before washing the clothes in a regular wash cycle.

Use some good old ammonia. You will want to be careful with this measure, as ammonia is a very strong agent, and – while very potent – can be potentially harmful if used recklessly. Make sure to apply a small amount to the affected area, and scrub using a damp rag. Optionally, you may also want to add a dash of dish or laundry detergent – for additional effect. Follow this step with a regular wash cycle.

Good enough for your teeth and good enough for removing ink stains – toothpaste. There is a catch with this step, however, we’re referring specifically to non-gel toothpaste. Take a dab and apply it with your finger over the stain area, make sure to rub it in good. Complete this step with a regular wash cycle.

Book your fitting with Janine Giorgenti at Giorgenti New York’s new Garden City location!

Call (516) 200-4088 (office) (646) 957-6916 (cell).

The Garden City showroom is located at:

1325 Franklin Avenue
Suite 255
Garden City, NY 11530

About the Author

Janine Giorgenti For over 25 years, Janine Giorgenti, renowned fashion designer and image consultant – has provided a long line of satisfied clients with unparalleled service and first class made-to-measure custom suits. Featured in the Wall Street Journal, Vogue Magazine, The New York Times, CNN, Fox News, CBS, and other top media outlets – Janine has established a clientele of some of New York’s most successful and discerning professionals – including such New York dignitaries as former New York Islanders legend Bobby Nystrom and chief economist Dr. Irwin Kellner.