How to remove pen ink from a washing machine

Ink stains on white shirts and other light-colored clothing are a real headache for any mother whose child has started school. Often, people try to remove ink stains from clothes in the washing machine by using a stain remover, which involves placing the garment in the drum with other items. This is not recommended, as there's a high risk that the stain won't disappear, but will instead penetrate the fabric further and spread to other items. In this situation, even a professional dry cleaner won't be able to help, so you should look for other cleaning methods. We'll explain them in detail.

We remove ink professionally

Ink from pens, seals and stamps is usually created on a water-glycerin base, or a dispersion medium with a solvent, plus alcohol. Because the ink contains a powerful color pigment, it quickly penetrates a wide variety of surfaces and remains there for a long time. Therefore, ordinary soap, laundry detergent, or washing gel are incapable of removing such stains—you'll need a more powerful solution capable of dissolving the pigment and base. Most inks are made with a water-soluble base, which causes them to dissolve very quickly upon contact with liquid and spread across the entire surface. Therefore, instead of immediately soaking the garment, it's important to strictly follow the instructions developed by professionals.

• First, sprinkle the pen ink with starch, crushed chalk, or talc. This will prevent the pigment from spreading further onto your clothing, and the powder will also absorb some of the ink.
• Ink stains are much easier to remove if you try to remove them immediately after they appear, as set-in stains are much more difficult to remove.
• It is easier to clean clothes from the edge to the center of the stain to avoid ink stains.

To prevent streaks from forming during manual cleaning, you can use talcum powder or starch, which should be applied to the edges of the stain beforehand.

• Be sure to place a napkin or cloth under the ink stain on your clothing to prevent the stain from transferring to the other side of the garment. This is especially important for cleaning pants and sleeves.
• If you're unsure about your cleaning product, you can test it on an inconspicuous area of ​​the item—if the powder doesn't change the color or texture of the fabric, it's suitable for removing pen ink.
• There's no need to wait after applying the cleaning solution to the stain—you can begin removing the stain immediately, without waiting for the solution to dry.
• When using aggressive household chemicals, you should use a respirator and thick gloves, open all windows in the house, and ask children with allergies to leave the room for a while.

The list of rules is quite extensive, but following all of them will allow you to reliably remove ink stains from clothing without the risk of further damaging the item.

What should I do before putting my clothes in the washing machine?

If your clothes are stained with ink, you can still wash them, but you must follow certain guidelines. First, prepare the item for washing by pre-treating the stain to ensure it partially lifts during prep and then fully disappears during washing. To do this, you must also follow the instructions.

• Prepare a bottle of 90% ethyl alcohol, purchased from a pharmacy, not a grocery store.
• Using cotton swabs soaked in alcohol, gently rub the stain from the clothing, but try not to spread it.
• Once the ink has been successfully dissolved, carefully remove it with a cotton pad.

This way, without rushing, you can not only soften pen ink, but also remove even old, stubborn stains. If the stain has become lighter or has almost completely disappeared from the item after the procedure, you can wash it with peace of mind.

How to properly wash an item in a washing machine?

So, the stain has been found and partially removed with ethyl alcohol, now all that's left is to completely remove it in the washing machine. For this procedure, you'll need a stain remover like Vanish or similar. Add two capfuls of the product to the dispenser on your "home helper" designed for the main wash cycle.

Be careful when buying household chemicals for clothing, as stain removers for colored items will not work on whites and vice versa.

All that's left to do is load the laundry into the drum, select a cycle with the appropriate temperature and fabric, and start the wash. Afterward, your items should be squeaky clean, free of any stains.

   

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