Jeans are a wardrobe staple for many people. They are comfortable, durable, and can be dressed up or down. However, jeans often end up with ink stains from pens, markers, or printer toner. Removing ink stains from denim can be tricky, but it is possible with a few simple techniques. Here are two easy methods to get ink out of jeans.
Method 1: Use Alcohol
Alcohol is effective at breaking down and dissolving ink stains. Follow these steps to use alcohol to remove ink from jeans:
Gather Your Supplies
You will need:
- Isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%)
- An old toothbrush or other soft brush
- Paper towels or clean rags
- Spoon or dull knife
Prepare the Jeans
- Lay the jeans flat on a clean surface.
- Place paper towels or rags underneath and around the ink stain to absorb any liquid and prevent transfer.
Apply the Alcohol
- Pour a small amount of isopropyl alcohol directly onto the ink stain.
- Use a spoon or dull knife to work the alcohol into the fabric.
- Gently scrub the stain using a toothbrush or soft brush. Avoid vigorous scrubbing as this can damage the denim.
- Keep applying alcohol and scrubbing until you see the ink transferring from the jeans to the paper towels.
Rinse and Dry
- Once the stain has lifted, rinse the area under running water. This stops the alcohol from continuing to spread in the fabric.
- Gently blot with clean paper towels until no more ink transfers.
- Allow the jeans to completely air dry before assessing if more treatment is needed. The ink may take a couple of cycles to fully lift.
Repeat as Needed
- Check if any residual stain remains once fully dry.
- Repeat the alcohol treatment if needed, applying to just the stained area.
- For tough stains, allow jeans to soak for 10 minutes in alcohol before scrubbing.
Method 2: Use Hairspray
The alcohol in hairspray can also help dissolve and remove ink stains. Here is how to use it:
Gather Supplies
You will need:
- Hairspray (aerosol or pump bottle)
- Toothbrush or other soft brush
- Paper towels
- Spoon or dull knife
Prepare and Apply Hairspray
- Lay the jeans flat and place paper towels underneath the stain.
- Use a spoon or dull knife to work hairspray directly into the stained fabric.
- Spray or pump more hairspray as needed to thoroughly saturate the stain.
Scrub the Stain
- Allow the hairspray to sit for a minute or two.
- Then use a toothbrush or soft brush to gently scrub the ink stain.
- Keep applying hairspray and scrubbing until the ink transfers onto the paper towel.
Rinse and Dry
- Once the stain has lifted, rinse the area well with clean water.
- Blot dry with fresh paper towels.
- Allow jeans to fully air dry to see if more treatment is required.
Repeat if Needed
- Check for any residual staining once the jeans are dry.
- Repeat the process, applying hairspray just to the stained area.
- For tough stains, allow jeans to soak for 10 minutes before scrubbing.
Tips for Removing Ink from Jeans
Follow these tips to get the best results when using alcohol, hairspray, or other agents to remove ink stains from denim jeans:
- Act quickly – the faster you treat an ink stain, the better chance of getting it out entirely.
- Use 70% isopropyl alcohol or higher – the stronger the alcohol, the better it can dissolve ink.
- Avoid using bleach or harsh cleaners – these chemicals weaken and damage denim fibers.
- Test treatments first on an inconspicuous area to check for any discoloration or damage.
- Use a soft bristle brush and gentle scrubbing – don’t rub so hard you abrade the jean fabric.
- Rinse thoroughly after applying any cleaning agent. Residual chemicals left on fabric can cause fading or discoloration over time.
- Re-wash jeans as normal after removing the ink stain. This helps eliminate any remaining traces left behind.
- If one method fails, try another – alcohol, hairspray, or baking soda paste often get stains out that others miss.
- For old or set-in stains, be patient and persistent when treating – it may take multiple applications and scrubbing.
- Iron the jeans after – the heat from ironing sometimes helps lift any remaining ink trapped in the denim fibers.
With some time and effort, you can get ink stains out of jeans without damaging them in the process. Give these simple methods a try next time you have an ink mishap!
Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Ink from Jeans
How do I get pen ink out of jeans?
Pen ink often comes out well using alcohol. Apply isopropyl alcohol to the stain and gently scrub with a soft brush. The alcohol dissolves and lifts the ink so it can be blotted away with paper towels. Repeat as needed until the stain is gone.
What removes permanent marker from clothes?
For tough permanent marker stains, try using rubbing alcohol, hairspray, or nail polish remover containing acetone. Apply the product and let it soak in for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. The ink solvents in these products help break down permanent marker.
What is the best homemade stain remover for jeans?
Some effective homemade ink stain removers for jeans include:
- Rubbing alcohol – dissolves inks.
- Hairspray – alcohol ink solvent.
- Baking soda paste – gentle abrasive ink lifter.
- Lemon juice – natural bleaching agent.
- Hydrogen peroxide – fizzing action lifts stains.
- Dish soap – helps cut greasy stains.
Mix with warm water and apply these to ink stains before laundering as usual.
Does hairspray get ink out of clothes?
Yes, hairspray often removes ink stains from clothing and fabric. The alcohol in hairspray breaks down stubborn ink stains. Spray it directly on the stain, let it soak in a few minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush before washing. It works on both fresh and dried in stains.
What removes ink from a cotton shirt?
For cotton shirts, rubbing alcohol or hairspray work well on ink spots. Apply either product directly on the stain, let sit briefly, then scrub gently before laundering as usual. The alcohol in these products dissolve and lift ink from cotton fibers. Repeat treatments if needed.
How do you get a ink stain out of white jeans?
Try using a baking soda paste to lift ink stains from white denim jeans. Mix baking soda with just enough water to form a paste. Apply this paste to the stain, let sit for 5-10 minutes, then scrub with a soft brush. The baking soda will help draw out and absorb the ink so it can be washed away. Be gentle to avoid abrading the white fabric.
How do you remove dried in ballpoint ink from jeans?
For dried in ballpoint ink stains on jeans, isopropyl alcohol is often effective. Apply alcohol directly on the stain and let soak for 10 minutes. This gives the alcohol time to penetrate and dissolve the dried ink. After soaking, gently scrub the spot with an old toothbrush, then rinse and launder the jeans as usual. Repeat if needed for stubborn stains.
What removes ink stains from colored jeans?
To remove ink from colored denim, avoid harsh chemicals like bleach that can damage the dyes. Instead, try using alcohol, hairspray, or baking soda paste. Check for colorfastness first and gently scrub the stain. Then rinse thoroughly. This lifts the ink with minimal risk to the colored fabric. OxiClean powder can also help without bleaching or fading colors.
What do you do after getting ink out of jeans?
Once you have removed an ink stain from jeans using alcohol, hairspray or another treatment, be sure to thoroughly rinse the area with clean water to eliminate any residue. Also re-wash the jeans through a normal laundering cycle after stain removal. This helps ensure no lingering ink or cleaning agents are left in the fabric to cause damage. Finally, inspect the area after drying – if any faint stain remains, do a spot treatment and re-wash.
Conclusion
Removing fresh or dried ink stains from jeans is possible without ruining them in the process. Using inexpensive and readily available products like isopropyl alcohol, hairspray, or baking soda, you can lift and dissolve stubborn ink spots on denim. With some patience and the proper technique, you can erase pe, marker, and toner stains from your favorite jeans and get them looking like new again. Keep these effective ink removal methods in mind next time disaster strikes your jeans.