If you’ve held a pen, you know how inconspicuously an ink stain can creep onto your favorite dress or jacket and ruin it. Removing it can be quite a nuisance.
But the damage might not be as permanent as the inscriptions on a Rosetta stone. You may very well be able to remove it using pretty simple household remedies.
Here are three methods for removing an ink stain using standard household ingredients.
Contents
Method 1: Vinegar and Milk
Things you’ll need:
- Stained Fabric
- Vinegar – ½ cup
- Whole milk – 1 cup
- Bowl
- Liquid detergent
Step 1. Combine milk and vinegar
- Pour 1 cup of whole milk into a bowl.
- Add ½ cup of vinegar to it.
The mixture will coagulate over time and form lumps of curd.
Step 2. Soak the stain in the mixture
Immerse the stain into the mixture and let it soak overnight. Put only the part of the fabric that contains the stain in the coagulated mixture.
Step 3. Wash the stain
Remove the fabric from the mixture and rub the fabric against itself to get rid of the stain.
Wash it with water to remove the coagulated mixture.
Step 4. Wash the fabric with detergent
Wash the fabric with a liquid detergent. Rinse it thoroughly and you will notice the stain has completely vanished.
Dry it under the sun for 3-4 hours.
Method 2: Lemon and Liquid Detergent
Things you’ll need:
- Stained Fabric
- Liquid detergent – 2 tablespoons
- Lemon – ½ of a whole lemon
- Bowl
- Knife
- Toothbrush
- Clean light-colored cloth
Step 1. Place a light-colored cloth underneath the stain
Use a light-colored cloth as a base for your stained fabric. The light color of the base cloth will ensure that its color is not absorbed by the fabric when it gets damp.
Step 2. Mix detergent and lemon juice
Squeeze the juice out of 1 whole lemon and mix it with about 2 tablespoons of liquid detergent.
Mix the contents using a toothbrush.
Step 3. Apply the mixture on the ink stain
Dip the toothbrush in the mixture and apply it on the stain.
Step 4. Rub it thoroughly with toothbrush
Rub the stain meticulously with the toothbrush. Remember to use a brush with soft bristles and you won’t have to worry about whether applying pressure may damage your fabric while rubbing the stain.
Step 5. Rub a lemon half directly onto the ink stain
Rub one half of a lemon directly on the stain. Keep squeezing the lemon while rubbing the stain to release more juice with each successive rub.
Repeat steps 3 through 5 until the stain begins to fade.
Step 6. Wash the stain in water
Apply a little bit of detergent and wash the fabric thoroughly with water. Set it out to dry in the sunlight for 3 to 4 hours.
Method 3: Lemon and Salt
Things you’ll need:
- Stained Fabric
- Lemon – ½ of a whole lemon
- Table salt
- Toothbrush
- Liquid detergent
- Cotton balls
- Knife
- Clean light-colored cloth
Step 1. Place a light-colored cloth underneath the stain
Use a clean, light-colored cloth as a base for your stained fabric. The light color of the base cloth will ensure that its color is not absorbed by the fabric when it gets damp.
Step 2. Dab the stain with cotton balls
Dab the stain with cotton balls until no more ink is visible on the cotton ball. It indicates that all the ink on the surface of the fabric has been absorbed and the remaining ink is blended into the fabric.
Step 3. Apply salt on the stain
Sprinkle 3 or 4 pinches (approx.) of salt on the lemon half. The amount of salt depends on the size of the stain.
Step 4. Rub lemon on the stain
Rub the lemon half thoroughly over the stain. While rubbing, keep squeezing the lemon to keep the juice flowing.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the stain begins to fade.
Step 5. Apply detergent on the stain
Apply liquid detergent on the stain and rub it rigorously.
Step 6. Wash the fabric in water
Thoroughly wash and rinse the fabric with water.
Now, place it in the sunlight for a couple of hours and let it dry out.
Out of the three methods performed, the first method - Milk and Vinegar - turned out to be the most effective in removing stains.
Additional Tips
- You can use cotton balls to dab the stain (mentioned in 3rd method) if it’s fresh.
- Use a light colored cloth as a base.
- Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent any damage to the fabric.
- Baking soda must not be used on delicate fabrics.
- Try to wash stained clothes as quickly as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes.
- Sometimes, successive washes and sunlight removes the stain.