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DIY for Homeowners

Stained Fabric to Perfection!

7/11/2015

10 Comments

 
by Vicki
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Remove stain with rubbing alcohol. MotherDaughterProjects.com
As a volunteer at the Living Harvest Thrift Store, I have a first look at many of the donations that are brought to the store. One was this large, bed cover in great condition, but was covered in ball point ink stains.

What to do? It wouldn’t sell in it’s current condition. I volunteered to take it home to see what I could do with it.
  • On the largest of the ink stains I poured 91% rubbing alcohol on the spot & blotted until the stain was dispersed but not gone. I used paper towels under the spot to absorb the ink & blotted with another paper towel changing when they were covered with stain. 
  • On the smaller stains, I put rubbing alcohol into a small spray bottle & sprayed each stain. 
  • All stains received a small amount of Dawn Dishing Washing liquid which I gently rubbed into the spot. 
  • The entire thing went into the wash with another small squeeze of Dawn with white vinegar poured into the “bleach” & “softener” compartments. The vinegar is not necessary, but I use it in every cycle to help keep my front loader free from odors.
  • After washing & examining the coverlet, I found all the spots that were treated came out!
Using rubbing alcohol & Dawn Dishwashing liquid to remove ink stains. MotherDaughterProjects.com
Paper towels with ink transfer.
Using rubbing alcohol & Dawn Dishwashing liquid to remove ink stains. MotherDaughterProjects.com
The ink starts to break up. Notice how the ink has transferred to the paper towel.
Using rubbing alcohol & Dawn Dishwashing liquid to remove ink stains. MotherDaughterProjects.com
The Dawn Dishwashing liquid gently worked into the stain.
Using rubbing alcohol & Dawn Dishwashing liquid to remove ink stains. MotherDaughterProjects.com
As the ink spreads, it will look much worse than when you started.
Note: If you try this stain removal method, be sure to test it first to be sure the alcohol will not remove the color of the item. Be gentle, do not rub the spot harshly. 

Materials used:

  • 91% Rubbing Alcohol, generic
  • Dawn Dishwashing liquid (do not use a generic)
  • Paper towels--use a high absorbency one--I used Bounty
  • Small spray bottle--I used a travel size one
  • White vinegar--optional
Using rubbing alcohol & Dawn Dishwashing liquid to remove ink stains. MotherDaughterProjects.com
After washing
10 Comments
Jamie link
7/14/2015 03:43:37 pm

I would have never guessed using this method! Thank you!

Reply
Carolyn
7/19/2015 09:18:24 am

Thanks! I worked on my three small ink stains on my white top!!

Reply
Lee Sullivan link
1/6/2016 09:28:12 am

I'm in love with all of the ideas you've expanded on. I would look forward to any thing else you could share

Reply
Steph
1/6/2016 07:51:15 pm

Thanks so much Lee :)

Reply
ophelia link
1/6/2016 08:10:08 pm

you can also use hairspray it removes ink too.

Reply
Marilyn Mead
4/4/2017 03:05:30 pm

Look forward to more ideas. Thanks

Reply
Steph
4/4/2017 06:36:28 pm

Thanks Marilyn!

Reply
Brenda
12/30/2017 11:10:30 am

Do you have any idea how to get an old, dried nail polish stain out of my quilt? I love this quilt and I just can’t get rid of
It. Please help?

Reply
Vicki
12/30/2017 03:12:28 pm

Unfortunately, those kinds of stains are pretty much permanent. Here's a good response to the question I found from Clorox. https://www.clorox.com/dr-laundry/how-do-you-remove-nail-polish-from-shirt-and-pants/ Good luck if you try to get it out. ~Vicki

Reply
colleen
1/27/2018 12:14:49 pm

Great Job ! Do you have any idea how to remove RUST! If I was clothes and don't remove them, say, overnidht, I will have rust spots all over. Any ideas?

Reply



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