Getting a tattoo is a big decision. Not only are you making a permanent change to your body, but you’re also committing to taking care of the ink for the rest of your life. What if you decide that you don’t want the tattoo anymore? Or what if you get it done at home and the ink ends up all over your clothes?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we will discuss how to get tattoo ink out of clothes. We’ll provide tips and tricks for removing ink from fabric, no matter what kind of material it is made from!
Follow the Care Instructions On the Garment
If the garment has any special care instructions, be sure to follow them. Many times, ink can be removed from clothes if they are machine-washed using cold water and a gentle cycle. However, some fabrics (like silk) may be damaged by machine-washing, so it’s important to read the care instructions before you begin. If you don’t want to risk damaging your clothes, you can also try hand-washing them instead [1].
If the care instructions say that you can’t machine-wash your garments, then use this guide instead.
You will need to soak them in cold water before rinsing out any stains with warm soapy water and a gentle detergent like Dawn dish soap or Woolite (other mild detergents may also work).
Once they have been thoroughly washed and dried, check again for any remaining ink stains on both sides of each garment; if there are still some areas that haven’t come clean yet – don’t panic!
Try a Homemade Stain Remover for Your Clothes:
1) Rubbing alcohol
Pour some rubbing alcohol onto a cloth and dab at the ink stain until it begins to disappear. Be careful not to saturate the fabric with alcohol, as this can cause it to shrink.
2) Nail polish remover
Pour a small amount of nail polish remover onto the ink stain and cover with plastic wrap. Let it sit for about 20 minutes before washing as normal in cold water or soapy detergent.
You can also use acetone-based nail polish removers, but they may be too harsh on delicate fabrics like silk and satin. You should always read instructions carefully before using any type of product on your clothes!
Do not use alcohol-based hand sanitizers because these contain methanol which will dissolve paint without damaging clothing fibers.
3) Hairspray
Some individuals claim that hairspray can also be used to remove stains. One of the primary reasons hairspray may be a good stain remover is because of its high alcohol content. However, today, many hairsprays do not contain any significant amount of alcohol and are unlikely to be your finest option for removing stains. If you do have access to an alcohol-based hairspray, you might be in luck.
Simply spray the ink stain with hairspray and allow it to sit for several minutes before rinsing out any excess product. If you have an alcohol-based hairspray, then this may work as well. However, keep in mind that these products are usually very drying on clothes so only use them sparingly!
4) Bleach
Bleach is legendary for its stain-eliminating capabilities. Bleach, on the other hand, is notorious for discoloring clothes and being particularly harsh on them.
Bleach may be an excellent method to remove marks, but you must use caution when using it. Bleach is typically used on monochromatic white clothing.
Remember that bleach can be used for all different kinds of stains, not just ink! Bloodstains can also be removed by bleaching them in the laundry machine before washing as usual with hot water and detergent-like Tide PODS plus Oxi Liquid Laundry Detergent (if you’re worried about staining your clothes again).
5) Vinegar and cornstarch
Make a paste out of white vinegar and cornstarch. Apply the mixture to the stain, leave it for about 30 minutes, then wash your garment as usual – this may get rid of some stains but not all types!
The combination of vinegar and starch has been used in various ways since ancient times. Vinegar is known to be an effective method for removing wine or apple cider stains from clothing while cornstarch helps absorb grease when cooking meats like bacon (which can also cause permanent staining).
It’s worth noting that even though both items work well alone they don’t always pair up well together so make sure you test any concoctions beforehand before applying them onto fabrics because there’s no guarantee how these ingredients will react once mixed.
Also, you may use white vinegar [2].
6) Baking soda
Baking soda and white vinegar will remove tattoo ink stains, especially those caused by temporary paint like henna.
To begin, use half a teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to make a thick, sticky glue. Apply this mixture over the ink markings and allow it to sit until all moisture has evaporated. The stain should be removed in conjunction with the dry paste.
However, while these two at-home procedures can remove tattoo ink from clothing, accuracy is important. So once the ink has been sprayed, get to your cabinet as quickly as feasible [3].
7) Hot water
Hot water is a powerful stain remover. When you wash your clothes in hot water, the heat can loosen fresh stains and make them easier to remove.
The best way to use this method is by bringing some boiling water into contact with the ink stain on your clothing item for about 30 seconds or so – if it doesn’t work then try again!
8) A toothpaste and baking soda mixture
Use toothpaste as a last resort to remove ink stains. Toothpaste is designed to clean teeth, so it’s bound to work on ink stains too – just make sure that the toothpaste doesn’t contain any whitening agents!
To start, mix a teaspoon of baking soda with enough toothpaste to create a thick paste. Apply this paste over the stain and leave it for about 30 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
If you’re still having trouble removing the stain after trying all these methods, then it might be time to bring your clothing item into a professional dry cleaner. Ink can be difficult to get out once it sets, but don’t give up hope yet! Just remember that different techniques might work for different types of ink and clothing materials [4].
Try a Commercial Stain Remover
If you’re having trouble removing a tattoo ink stain, try using a new or fresh stain-removing detergent.
There are many different types of detergents on the market that have been specifically designed to remove stains. You might want to consider using one of these products if all else has failed in your attempt to get rid of the unwanted markings.
Just make sure that you read the label carefully and follow any specific instructions for use – some detergents may require that you pretreat the stained area before putting it in the washing machine!
You may try such popular commercial cleaners to get rid of a tattoo ink out of your clothes:
1) OxiClean
You’ve undoubtedly seen strange OxiClean TV commercials, but this stuff can be a lifesaver for stubborn stains. Sodium percarbonate is the key component in OxiClean, which releases hydrogen peroxide when it comes into contact with water.
The hydrogen peroxide then aids in the oxygenation of the garments, pulling out the tattoo ink stain. OxiClean works similarly to bleach because it is sodium percarbonate-based, however, it is far kinder to textiles.
OxiClean is a company that makes household cleaning products, including detergent and stain-removal sprays as well as gel sticks. Because tattoo ink can be a difficult stain to remove, it’s advisable to add one of OxiClean’s pre-treatments to the wash before washing your tattoo-ink-stained clothing.
If you’re looking for a commercial stain remover that specifically targets tattoo ink, OxiClean is your best bet. However, if you’re not interested in using this specific product, there are many other detergents on the market that have been designed to remove stains – just be sure to read the label carefully!
2) Amodex
Amodex is a non-toxic soap, not a solvent, rather than many other commercially available stain removers. If you’re searching for a milder stain remover for a particularly delicate item of clothing, Amodex might be more suitable [5].
If you decide to use Amodex, be sure to read the instructions first because they are not the same as other stain cleaners. Users should not wet the spot before applying their stain remover, according to Amodex.
Amodex can be used on all kinds of fabrics, as long as the instructions are followed correctly. It is available in both a liquid and a stick form, which can make it easier to apply directly to the stain.
If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly and chemical-free method of removing tattoo ink from clothing, then Amodex might be the right option for you.
It’s important to remember that this product might not work on all types of stains – so if OxiClean doesn’t do the trick, try Amodex!
3) Carbona Stain Devils
Carbona Stain Devils offers specific stain removal solutions for a variety of stains.
The Stain Devils Ink, Marker & Crayon product is available on their website and is designed to combat stains caused by the tattoo ink.
Unsurprisingly, one of the key components in the Stain Devils solution is alcohol.
The alcohol in Carbona’s Stain Devils product is effective in breaking down the molecular structure of the ink, which makes it easier to remove. The product also includes other ingredients such as surfactants and solvents that work together to lift the stain from the fabric.
Carbona offers a wide range of products for different types of stains, so if you’re not successful with OxiClean or Amodex, be sure to check out their website for more potential solutions!
If you’re having trouble removing a tattoo ink stain from your clothing, there are many commercial stain removers on the market that might do the trick.
Each product has a different set of ingredients, so it’s important to read the label carefully before using any one of them. Be sure to test the stain remover on an inconspicuous area of the fabric first in order to make sure that it doesn’t cause any damage. If you’re still not successful in removing the stain, try a different product!
Removing Tattoo Ink Stains From Clothing: Steps
1) Act quickly and keep the stain moist
When you get tattoo ink on your clothes, act quickly and keep the stain moist by applying cold water to it. This will allow any remaining pigment in the fabric fibers to be dissolved more easily when you wash them later on!
The longer a spot remains untreated, the greater its chances of becoming permanent – so don’t wait too long before treating it with some kind of remedy or solution.
2) Select your stain remover and pre-treat the garment with it
Many commercial stain removers are available at stores, or you can make your own. If using a store-bought product like OxiClean, be sure to read the label carefully before applying it directly onto clothing fibers because some ingredients may damage certain types of fabrics!
When pre-treating with any kind of stain remover, always apply it first by dabbing lightly on an inconspicuous area of fabric and then washing as usual according to instructions for best results.
This will help prevent any potential color bleeding that could occur during normal laundering procedures later on down the line when colors run together more easily than other kinds of stains do not get removed properly due to different chemical makeup in their pigments – so use caution when treating any kind of garment with color.
3) Wash in hot water
After pre-treating the garment, wash it in hot water with a laundry detergent that is designed to remove tough stains. Be sure to follow the instructions on the stain remover product carefully – as some recommend using chlorine bleach which can also damage some types of fabrics!
If you have any doubts about whether or not a specific stain remover is safe to use on your clothing, be sure to test it out first by applying it to an inconspicuous area of fabric.
When washing stained clothes, always remember to use enough water and agitation (either through hand-washing or machine-washing) so that the stain remover can work properly and loosen up the ink pigment from the fabric fibers.
4) Hang dry or dry on low heat
When dried at high temperatures, some types of inks have been known to fade away completely due to their sensitivity towards heat exposure. If you want your clothing item looking as good as new after washing it with a stain remover product then hanging dry is recommended for best results!
After washing the garment according to instructions above step number three), remove any excess water by rolling it up inside a towel before laying it flat out on an ironing board.
Iron over the top surface area without applying too much pressure (just enough so that all wrinkles are removed) and continue until the entire piece has been smoothed down using this method – then set aside while still wet from previous steps until ready for use again later.
You can also dry your clothes on low heat using the dryer if necessary – however, be sure to check them periodically throughout this process because some fabrics may not tolerate high temperatures well at all times!
Once they’ve been ironed or dried again, hang these items up somewhere where they won’t get wrinkled before wearing them out [6].
FAQ
1. Will sweating ruin a new tattoo?
A tattoo might take several weeks to heal, during which time the body will be healing. Despite the body’s ability to function so effectively, over-sweating a new tattoo may dissolve the ink before the skin has had time to trap it.
2. Can your clothes touch a new tattoo?
The tattoo needs air to breathe and dry out, clot, and form scabs. As a result, make sure to wear the loosest clothing feasible and, if required, wrap the tattoo with cling film for the first few nights to prevent it from sticking or staining your clothing or bedding.
3. Does tattoo ink wash out of sheets?
The tattoo ink will not bleed onto your sheets. If you see any bleeding, the artist has used too much water or is using cheap supplies. When the tattoo dries out for about 24 hours, it’s safe to sleep on it.
4. What is a blowout on a tattoo?
Blowouts happen when a tattoo artist pushes too hard while inking the skin. The ink is driven beneath the top layers of skin, where tattoos are acceptable. The ink spreads out below the surface of the skin in a pool of fat. This is the cause of tattoo blowouts’ blurring effect [7].
5. Will acetone remove tattoo ink from clothes?
Yes, acetone can be used to remove stains from fabrics. Acetone may be found at home improvement stores, and if none is available, nail polish remover may suffice. Be sure to test any acetone or nail polish remover on an inconspicuous area of the fabric before using, as some types of fabrics may be damaged by these chemicals.
6. Can vinegar remove tattoo ink stains?
Yes, vinegar can remove stains from fabrics. However, it is not recommended for use on delicate clothing items such as silk or lace due to its acidic nature and tendency towards causing colors in the fabric to fade over time with repeated exposure.
7. After removing the stain from clothes, should I put them in a dryer?
Wash in cold water using the fabric care precautions. Regular stains should be removed in cold water, but very dirty clothes or extremely tough spots may require a higher temperature setting that is safe for the material. Place it in the dryer only after you’ve successfully gotten rid of the stain [8].
8. Does Vaseline fade tattoo ink?
Avoid products that are 100 percent petroleum-based, such as Vaseline.
Petroleum-based goods have been shown to fade ink, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Look for lotions that are water-based or have lanolin, glycerin, and beeswax in the ingredients list. These ingredients will help keep your ink looking sharp [9].
9. Does salt fade tattoo ink?
If you want to remove a tattoo using salt at home, you should know that this is a hazardous process that might be unpleasant and may not work. The ink can run or fade when rubbed with salt, causing scarring and infection.
10. How can I remove tattoo ink out of satin or silk?
Soak your item in a solution of equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Using a mild-bristled toothbrush, gently scrub the stain. Continue to soak and clean until the mark has faded away [10].
Useful Video: EASY! Remove Ink Stains from Clothes with Toothpaste After It Is Dry
References:
- https://www.thecoldwire.com/how-to-get-tattoo-ink-out-of-clothes
- https://sewingfeed.com/how-to-get-tattoo-ink-out-of-clothes
- https://www.bangbangtattoo.com/how-to-get-tattoo-ink-out-of-clothes
- https://sewingfeed.com/how-to-get-tattoo-ink-out-of-clothes
- https://www.thecoldwire.com/how-to-get-tattoo-ink-out-of-clothes
- https://www.thecoldwire.com/how-to-get-tattoo-ink-out-of-clothes
- https://www.healthline.com/health/body-modification/tattoo-blowout
- https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/stain-removal-guide
- https://www.healthline.com/health/vaseline-for-tattoo
- https://cleaning.lovetoknow.com/How_Do_You_Remove_Ink_Stains_from_Silk