How to Remove Ink Stains from Linen

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References

Ink stains can be some of the hardest to remove from clothing. If you're trying to remove ink from linen, you have to be particularly careful not to ruin the natural dyes of this fabric because they can bleed or discolor easily. Using hairspray, dish detergent and vinegar, or rubbing alcohol and washing the linen properly can help you remove ink from your favorite linen garments.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Stains with Hairspray

1
Apply a light coating of hairspray to the ink stain. An alcohol-based hairspray is best. Aerosol cans typically spray more evenly than pump hairspray, so you may want to choose an aerosol brand, but either kind will work. The hairspray will help loosen the ink from the linen fibers.^{[1]
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- This method can be used for clothing or other linen items, such as couches.
2
Let it sit. You want to give the hairspray time to work, so don’t spray the stain and then start blotting immediately. Wait up to 10 minutes to allow the ingredients in the hairspray to react with the ink.^{[2]
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3
Blot the stain with a damp cloth. You should be able to see the ink coming to the surface of the fabric. Gently blot the ink away. Don’t rub, or you risk spreading the ink stain and further damaging the fabric.^{[3]
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4
Launder the garment. Be sure all the ink has been removed before washing. Linen can be washed regularly, in your washing machine. Just be sure to separate your “lights” from “darks” to ensure dye doesn’t bleed onto your light-colored clothing.^{[4]
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5
Air-dry the fabric. Hang your garment or lay it flat. Using a clothes dryer will not only shrink your linen but could set the stain if you did not remove it completely.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Trying Dish Detergent and Vinegar

1
Create a cleaning solution. Fill a bowl or basin with 1 US quart (950 mL) of warm water. Add ¹⁄₂ teaspoon (2.5 mL) of dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of white vinegar to the water. Mix until well combined.^{[5]
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- This method may be best for larger stains, as you will soak the entire garment.
2
Soak the garment. Submerge the linen into the solution. Let it soak for approximately 30 minutes. This will allow time for the chemicals to react with the stain. You may want to gently stir the solution from time to time.^{[6]
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3
Remove and rinse. Take the linen out of the soaking solution and rinse it with cold water. Pay special attention to the stained part of the garment. Don’t use hot water, as it can permanently set the stain.
4
Air-dry the linen. Squeeze out excess moisture without wringing the fabric. Squeezing the liquid out instead of twisting it will help keep the shape of the garment intact. Set it out to dry on a flat surface or hang it on a clothesline.
5
Repeat the process if needed. If traces of the stain remain, repeat the process by mixing up a fresh soaking solution. You may also want to try another method, such as rubbing alcohol, if the stain is particularly stubborn.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Rubbing Alcohol

1
Apply rubbing alcohol directly to the stain. Alcohol works because it dissolves the pigments in the ink. Be sure to get all parts and edges of the stain. You may want to put cardboard or another material beneath the fabric to ensure it doesn’t bleed through. Cover it with something absorbent like a cotton pad or a thin stack of paper towels.^{[7]
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- This method may be best for smaller stains, as you only apply the product to the stained area.
2
Place a heavy item on top. Putting a book or pan on top of the cotton or paper will help it better absorb the stain. Let this sit for up to thirty minutes to allow the alcohol to dissolve the pigments in the ink.
3
Blot the stain. Don’t rub, or the ink could spread, making a bigger stain. Just gently press down on the stain with a rag or paper towels. Be sure to use a new section after every few blots, or you will end up putting the ink back into your clothing.^{[8]
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4
Flush the spot with alcohol. This will ensure the ink is completely dissolved. You can blot the area again if you see remnants of the ink.^{[9]
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5
Rinse the fabric in cold water. Pay special attention to the edges of the stain. Cold water helps remove the stain as well as the alcohol. Don’t use hot water, as this may set the stain.
6
Air-dry your garment. You can lay it flat or hang it on a clothesline. Avoid using the clothes dryer, as this could set the stain if it isn’t completely removed as well as damage or shrink the linen.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you get stains out of linen?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

There are many ways to remove stains from linen - for ink stains you can apply hairspray, rubbing alcohol, or dish detergent and vinegar. Alternatively, you can use a commercial stain treatment suited for linens. As always, try to treat the stain as soon as possible for the best chance for full stain removal.
Question

How do you get ink out of clothes that have been dried?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You can use any of the methods described in the article for stain removal. Once stains have been set in and dried, they will be harder to remove. A good place to start would be to apply a mixture of vinegar and liquid laundry detergent to the stain.
Question

How do you remove ballpoint pen ink?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

There are many ways to remove ink stains, including applying hairspray, rubbing alcohol, or dish detergent and vinegar. A good way to start is to spray hairspray on the stain, then blot at it with a damp cloth. Proceed by laundering the item as usual, then letting it air dry so as not to set the stain in further if it is still present.

Warnings

Do not dry linen in the dryer. The high heat will shrink the fabric to a considerably smaller size.

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Use rubbing alcohol sparingly, as pure alcohol can have a harsh effect on linen.

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