can ink come out of clothes?

Ink is made up of certain chemical properties that make it a bit tougher to remove than other household products.

Ink comes in either a liquid or a paste form, and contains the following ingredients:

Ink contains even more chemicals than listed above, depending on whether it’s an oil-based or water-based ink.

There are four different types of ink that can stain your home’s surfaces:

Modern-day ink is also divided into two classes: writing inks and printing inks. While black ink is made using carbon black, colored ink is made up of soybean oil, linseed oil, and is combined with organic pigments that often stain.

When it comes to stain types, residue from food, fruit juice, and grass, for example, are considered organic stains, which make them easier to get rid of. Stains from paint, dyes, and ink, on the other hand, are considered inorganic stains, and are tougher to remove.

But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get rid of them! If you act quickly.

Regardless of whether your stain from ink is on fabric, leather, upholstery, or carpet, the faster you act, the better. Wet ink stains are easier to remove, so it’s important to act as quickly as possible before the ink dries.

There are a few different types of ink that create different kinds of ink stains:

Each type of stain from ink requires a different approach to remove it, so be sure to consider the surface you’re working with before you try anything.

Water-based ink stains are the easiest of the bunch to remove. Both washable markers and t-shirt prints contain water-based ink. Many types of water-based ink are actually environmentally friendly. Depending on the surface, there are different ways to tackle ink stain removal.

If you’re trying to remove a water-based ink stain on fabric, for example, place a towel or paper towels underneath the stain. Using a cotton ball, apply a bit of rubbing alcohol and press firmly until the stain is absorbed.

Permanent ink stains aren’t quite as easy to tackle, but there are some steps you can take to lessen the impact. Take note that some permanent ink stains may leave some residue behind, but depending on how fast you act, your results will vary.

First, you can try applying rubbing alcohol onto the ink stain, with a cotton swab, if you’re working with a fabric. After firmly pressing, be sure to rinse the garment to remove the alcohol. If this ink removal technique isn’t working, try repeating the same process using nail polish remover or acetone.

Your degree of success will depend on how large the stain is and how long it has been there. It’s important to try one of these techniques as soon as you discover the ink stain- the quicker the better!

Ballpoint pen ink stains are not as difficult to remove as permanent marker ink stains. The ink in a ballpoint pen is made of pigments and dyes that provide the color. Ballpoint ink is slightly thick, slow drying, and free of particles.

When it comes to removing ballpoint ink stains, try using rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball, as mentioned above. If that doesn’t remove the stain, shaving cream is another option to try, depending upon the surface you’re cleaning.

For a step-by-step guide to removing other types of ink stains, explore this COIT stain removal page:

To remove ink stains from washable linen or canvas, test rubbing alcohol on an inconspicuous spot to ensure it won't damage the fabric. Then place the stained area facedown over the mouth of a jar or glass, holding the fabric taut so the ink spot won't spread. Drip rubbing alcohol through the stain. The alcohol will pull the ink along as it drops into the jar. Rinse well and line-dry, then check that the stain has been removed before laundering per fabric-care instructions.

To treat an ink stain on washable chenille, first soak the item for 30 minutes in an ink stain remover solution of 1/2 teaspoon mild, clear dish soap and one tablespoon white vinegar diluted in one quart warm water. Rinse with water and air-dry. If the stain remains, dab with rubbing alcohol (test on an inconspicuous spot first). Rinse with water, and wash as directed on the garment's label. Air-dry and inspect to make sure the stain has been removed before drying as directed again.

To remove a pen ink stain on washable corduroy, first soak the item for 30 minutes in a solution of 1/2 teaspoon mild, clear dish soap and one tablespoon white vinegar diluted in one quart warm water. Rinse with water and air-dry. If the stain remains, dab with rubbing alcohol (test on an inconspicuous spot first). Rinse with water, and wash as directed on the garment's label. Air-dry and inspect to make sure the stain has been removed before drying as directed again.

Lightly spritz the cotton with hair spray to loosen the ink stain. Then soak for 30 minutes in a solution of 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon white vinegar diluted in one quart warm water. (Test on an inconspicuous spot first.) Rinse with water and allow to dry. If stain persists, press with an absorbent cloth moistened with alcohol. Change cloth as stain lifts. After the stain is removed, dab with water, then a dry cloth.

Keep your denim jacket or favorite pair of paints in good condition with this simple process for removing inks stains from jeans. Start by immediately blotting excess ink with a paper towel or cloth; take care not to rub the stain further into your jeans. If you get an ink stain on jeans while away from home, treat the dried ink with a few drops of water before blotting. With paper towels or a clean cloth placed under your jeans, apply isopropyl rubbing alcohol (a few drops is plenty) to the stain and gently scrub with a cotton swab or soft-bristled toothbrush. Rinse the ink stain in cold water before washing your jeans on a cold cycle. Commercial stain sticks and sprays are also alternatives to removing inks stains from jeans. Hang to air-dry once clean.

To remove ink stains from leather clothing, use a cleaning product specifically designed for leather. Apply the leather cleaner with a clean cloth ASAP, preferably within the first six hours after staining. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the leather cleaner.

Before you try to remove ink stains from polyester or nylon, test the treatment on a hidden corner or seam to check for color damage. Then stretch the stained area over the mouth of a jar or glass. Slowly drip rubbing alcohol through the stain, catching the ink residue in the jar. Rinse, then line-dry. Wash the garment, and if necessary, use a color-safe bleach (as long as the label says it's okay). Air-dry, and make sure the ink is gone before you dry as directed.

For ink stains on silk clothing, blot the stain with paper towels as soon as possible. You can simply blot with cold water as long as the stain lifts. If stain remains, spray with hairspray and continue blotting until the stain lifts. Finish by blotting with warm water. You also can dip a soft toothbrush in a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar, then gently scrub on the stain. Dab with cold water. Blot dry.

To remove ballpoint pen ink from spandex or Lycra, test the treatment on a hidden corner or seam first to check for color damage. Then stretch the stained area over the mouth of a jar or glass. Slowly drip rubbing alcohol through the stain, using the jar to catch the ink residue. Rinse and line-dry the garment, then wash, using a color-safe bleach, if necessary and the label says it's okay. Air-dry, and make sure the ink stain is gone before you dry as directed again.

To remove a ballpoint pen stain from suede, test in an inconspicuous area with a dab of consumer dry-cleaning solvent on a clean cloth, then apply sparingly on the stain, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the garment's label before trying to remove an ink stain from velvet. To treat a ballpoint pen stain on washable velvet, first soak the item for 30 minutes in a solution of 1/2 teaspoon mild, clear dish soap and one tablespoon white vinegar diluted in one quart warm water. Rinse with water, and air-dry. If the stain remains, dab with rubbing alcohol (test on an inconspicuous spot first). Rinse with water, and wash as directed on the label's garment. Air-dry, and inspect to make sure the stain has been removed before drying as directed again.

For wool items, blot the ballpoint pen stain with paper towels ASAP. Try blotting the wool with cold water first to see if the stain lifts. If stain remains, spray the ink stain with hairspray and blot, repeating until stain lifts. Blot with warm water. You also can dip a soft-bristle toothbrush in a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar and gently scrub that on the stain. Dab with cold water and blot dry.

If you’ve ever accidentally grazed your sleeve on a piece of paper with still-wet ink or noticed a stain only after you wash and dry your garment, you know how difficult it can be to remove ink stains from clothes.

Luckily, in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab we’ve tested dozens of commercial stain removers and DIY stain removing methods for many of the most common household stains, so we know just what to do to get garments back in tip-top shape.

Different ink stains require different care, so make sure you follow the appropriate how-to guide depending on if you're trying to remove ballpoint pen, felt-tip pen or permanent marker ink. All of these methods should only be used on washable fabrics and should first be tested on a small hidden corner of your garment to make sure they won’t cause any damage.

Two of our recommended methods use rubbing alcohol as the main ingredient. Because it is flammable, always use it away from open flames and launder all garments thoroughly after treating an ink stain with alcohol. Never try to remove ink stains from dry-clean only garments at home.

Good news: Fresh ballpoint ink is the easiest type of ink to remove from washable clothing like cotton blouses and denim jeans. As with any stain, the quicker you get to it, the easier it will be to remove.

Removing felt-tip ink is a bit more time-consuming — but not impossible, as long as you follow this guide.

Removing permanent ink isn’t always possible. In addition to being formulated to last forever, the success of removing this stain is largely dependent on the material, color of the ink and how long the stain has been allowed to set in. The steps below may work on some fresh permanent ink stains, but if they’re unsuccessful, try a dedicated stain remover for permanent ink like Carbona Stain Devils #3 or Amodex Ink & Stain Remover. As a last resort, if your garment is bleach-safe, try using bleach to remove the stain.

If your pen accidentally brushed up against your purse, don't worry. Just dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and lightly rub the stain to wipe away the marks. If your purse has a shiny patina or a glossy surface, it's probably been coated in a leather protectant and should be easier to treat. If rubbing alcohol doesn’t do the trick, try a commercial product designed specifically for cleaning leather, like Good Housekeeping Seal star Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner.

If that doesn't work or your purse is made of unfinished leather, take it to a dry cleaner that specializes in treating leather. To make marks, like ink, easier to remove the next time, apply a leather protectant, like GH Seal star Furniture Clinic Leather Protection Cream, to purses, sofas and other finished leather items.

If you've realized a bit too late that the shirt you're folding fresh out of the dryer has an ink stain you forgot to remove or you've let a fresh stain sit a bit too long, you may not be completely out of luck. You can try the methods above first, but if you’ve been unsuccessful, turn to stronger commercial stain removers. These products often contain ingredients to target all types of ink. Just be sure to follow the label directions when using them and test them in a hidden spot first to be sure they are safe for the fabrics you are treating. Another option is the Shout Advanced Action Gel, which even works to remove stains that have gone through the dryer.

Over the years, hairspray has earned a reputation for removing ink stains because of the alcohol in its formula. However, many of today's sprays contain less alcohol, so they aren't as effective on ink stains as older formulas may have been, plus you still have to deal with removing the sticky hairspray residue. Other DIY methods that you may have seen touted as effective ink removers include vinegar, toothpaste and even hand sanitizer. Though the alcohol in hand sanitizer may budge it a bit (as will most other DIY methods containing alcohol), we've never found any of these alternatives to be effective. If you really want to tackle ink, stick with the above options.

Rubbing alcohol in small amounts should not cause damage to most fabrics. As with any store-bought or other DIY stain remover, you should test it on small hidden spot before using it on the visible part of any garment.

Fresh ink stains are easier to remove before they dry and set into the fabric. Blot the excess of the stain gently, being careful not to rub it into the fibers. Apply rubbing alcohol, hair spray, or hand sanitizer to dilute the stain, making it easier to remove during the wash.

Step 1: Test the solvent

Choose the alcohol-based cleaning solution of your choice, such as hand sanitizer, hair spray, or rubbing alcohol, and test it on an inconspicuous spot on the fabric to ensure it doesn't cause more damage.

Step 2: Drip the cleaner over the stain

Place the stained area over the mouth of a jar or glass, and keep the fabric stretched tight to make sure the ink doesn’t spread.

Drip the alcohol-based cleaner through the stain. It will loosen the ink, which will then be dropped into the jar.

Step 3: Rinse and dry

Once the stain is removed, rinse the stained area well with water. Air dry and check to make sure the stain is really gone.

Step 4: Launder the item

If the stain is completely removed after drying, launder the item with a natural laundry detergent and a non-chlorine bleach for an extra boost — per the instructions given with the fabric.

Step 1: Blot

For wool or silk fabric, the first step is to blot out as much ink as possible.

Dampen a microfiber cloth with cold water, and dab it on the stain.

Step 2: Use a cleaning solvent

If the stain does not come off after blotting, apply an alcohol-based cleaner and blot with warm water, or use a mixture of vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio and scrub the stain.

Try using a toothbrush to really scrub into the fibers.

Step 3: Clean with water and dry

If the stain is lifted, use a cloth dampened with cold water to take off the cleaning agent.

Blot dry with a clean eco-friendly paper towel.

Step 1: Spray alcohol-based cleaner on the stain

Spray an alcohol-based hairspray or hand sanitizer on the stained area, and allow it to loosen the ink.

Step 2: Soak in a vinegar and laundry detergent solution

Make a cleaning solution of natural laundry detergent and vinegar diluted in water, and test it on a corner spot.

If it doesn’t damage the fabric, soak the stained area in this solution for about half an hour.

Step 3: Rinse and dry

If the stain is removed after soaking, rinse the fabric with cold water and let it air dry.

Step 4: For stronger stains, dab with alcohol