Sometimes we find ourselves in the most cliché nerd predicament: a leaking or exploding ink pen (where was your pocket protector when you needed it?). Removing the ink blob is easier than you think. Just grab yourself some milk and vinegar and get to the stain asap!
What You Need
Materials
Materials 2 Parts Whole Milk
1 Part White Distilled Vinegar
Large Bowl
Instructions
1. Combine Milk and Vinegar. Pour just enough milk to cover your garment into a large bowl. Add about half as much white distilled vinegar.
2. Soak Garment in Mixture. Overnight is best to ensure that the milk and vinegar have enough time to do their magic!
3. Remove, Hang Dry, Wash as Normal. You may see a light trace of the ink stain upon removal but after washing the ink stain should be gone.
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Does this work on other stains or just ink stains?
I use an old remedy. Spray hairspray on the ink. The ink doesn't disappear, but it does wash out when you wash the garment with your usual laundry.
Works like a charm.
what if its a stain on leather?
e53 - I've only tried this technique with ink stains but I'd be curious to know how it works with others!
shakeshakee - Not sure about leather stains, but I'd be concerned about the vinegar's reaction with leather. Maybe try an eco leather cleaning kit of some kind - just to be safe.
Interesting. Not sure what the milk is doing so much as the vinegar (and aren't you just making really strong homemade buttermilk?) but I have a nasty ink stain on my husband's pillowcase we have NO clue where it's coming from but every few nights, there it is! Will try this for sure.
@jmorri26, you have a very interesting (and probably literate) poltergeist.
@rapunzel Ha! I never thought of that. Maybe my husband is sleep writing!
@jmorri26 Maybe he's in the habit of putting a pen over his ear, and some ink gets in his hair.
Oxiclean powder got blue sharpie out of white cotton. I can attest.
Has anyone had luck with the ink from ink pads or permanent markers like Sharpie? I have a favorite cardigan cuff damaged in a moment of drunken crafting or the holidays.