So, I went to a second hand store yesterday and got a big bag of baby clothes. I took the bag into the laundry room and washed it. Well, I did 3 loads and when I went to fold the second one, there was black ink all over. I stopped the next load in the dryer and there is ink all over my favorite sheets and a brand new tank top. (The rest of the clothes I'm not so worried about), but how do I get black ink out of a bright melon colored tank top and yellow cotton sheet? Luckily, I stopped it before they got dry all the way. Thanks so much for your help ladies!
Hairspray does the trick every time. Like Ladybug said you may have to spray and wash, spray and wash, but it will come out. Make sure you soak the area.
If there is pen in the dryer itself, rubbing alcohol will take it right out.
Hairspray - the cheaper the better.
Spray it until it's soaked and wash it.
Again and again... I've had it come right out the first time and then again, I've had it not come out until the 4th or 5th time.
YMMV
LBC
It's the isopropyl alcohol in the hairspray that removes the ink. I just use the alcohol straight. Dab on with a q tip for small stains, use a cotton ball or just pour directly on the fabric for larger stains. You can test this on an inside or unseen part of the garment before actual stain removal. I've had good luck removing ball point pen ink from white t-shirts and other cotton garments. It even removed magic marker from my cherry wood cabinets.
Try Lestoil ... same thing happened to me ... stepson had marker in pocket and got on everything including the dryer. I found it at Walmart. The smell is a little strong, but it works. I washed that load of clothes once with the Lestoil sprayed on the spots and then re-washed and it all came out. It also cleaned the marks in the dryer. Have found that Lestoil takes out alot of stains on clothes, etc. Good luck!
GALLEN SEIFE. It is soap made from the gall bladder of a cow. It now comes in liquid form. I do not know what brand name it comes under in the states as I usually buy it overseas.
Hairspray didn't work for me when this happened (twice!). I used a solution of "Simple Green" - you should be able to get it at Target or Walmart or a big supermarket. I soaked the clothes in the washer in the solution overnight and then laundered as usual. I also used it full stength on a sponge to scrub the dried ink stains off the dryer drum. Good luck!
