How do you remove ink stains from pants?

Answer 1

Although this is not the perfect solution, you can significantly lighten the stain by applying either hairspray or WD-40. Spray and blot with a white paper towel, repeat, repeat. This process will lighten the stain, but might not remove it completely. It really depending on the fabric and the color contrast.

-Additional Information- Added 24.Sep.2008 by SoopirV900-

Permanent marker works by leaving behind pigment after the carrier solvent has evaporated. The best way to reverse the process is to replace the carrier solvent, and then wick the re suspended pigments away. Sharpie brand marker relies on a form of alcohol as the carrier. Use common isopropanol ("Rubbing Alcohol") to restore the liquidity of the pigment (first, place an absorbent material between the fabric and the workspace or the stained fabric and the unstained back (as in a shirt, or pair of pants). Dribble the alcohol on, and immediately begin blotting in a quick motion with a cotton fabric you don't care about. Don't let the alcohol sit, or you'll perform chromatography as the different constituents of the pigment are carried away from the original stain based on their densities (the lighter ones move farther). Also, use something highly absorbent as both the backer and the blotter- the goal is to "entice" the stain to leave the garment; for this to happen, it has to have somewhere "better" to go. For heavily saturated areas, a lot of patience (and alcohol and absorptive material) is required.

If your KID is stained with Sharpie (as mine was), use denatured isopropyl alcohol (again, "rubbing alcohol") and several clean cotton balls. Avoid the eyes, nose and mouth, and use a fresh ball for each swabbing. Works like a charm.

The shirt (100% Cotton) my kid was wearing took a heavy hit from the marker, and I'm now out of alcohol (after cleaning him up), so I'm going to try xylene tomorrow, at work. Acetone will probably work as well, but is much more volatile, and so is harder to control the chromatographic aspects of it (it may evaporate too fast to absorb the stain). Either way, the shirt is toast, so no harm. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT try to use xylene, paint thinner, acetone, or any other organic solvent to try to remove a stain from a synthetic shirt (polyester, acetate, nylon, etc). The stain may fade, but you'll remove the fabric first!

Answer 2

Well I do not know for sure but I would try using bleach. If it is on something that is not white, then try using a color safe bleach. You might also try using oxi-clean if bleach does not work or a stain remover such as Shout.

Answer 3

1. Blot up as much ink as you can with a clean, dry paper towel.
2. Rinse the stain and then pretreat it.
3. Wash the garment in hot water.

Answer 4

you can't