How do you get ink out of cloth?

Kathy
by Kathy
My nephews decided to play tic tac toe on my red Christmas tablecloth. Plus lots of additional scribbles. How do I get this out?
Here are some of the scribbles.
  26 answers
  • Dfm Dfm on Jan 31, 2016
    hi! there are about 5 different things to try for ink removal. krud cutter tough task citrus remover, carbona stain devils ink pen version, rubbing alcohol, and motsenbocker's "lift off- and goop. that big online retail store that begins with an "a" and ends with "n" carries most of these. now motesen's- it's labeled for hard surface, but my scrub top had tons of ink marks, and it worked just fine. just was immediately. goop is generally sold as a hand cleaner for mechanics. sometimes krud cutter is found in the paint department at hardware stores... not with the other cleaners as it takes out old dried paint as well.
  • Jennifer richardson Jennifer richardson on Jan 31, 2016
    hi a friend of mine used to spray with hair spray,leave for a while then wash off
  • Davie Adam Davie Adam on Jan 31, 2016
    soak the ink part in milk then wash.
  • Lynn Lynn on Jan 31, 2016
    i have used both rubbing alcohol and hair spray wi th good results. let set awhile then wash in cold water. hang dry.
  • Sharon Sharon on Jan 31, 2016
    hair spray works great
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 31, 2016
    You can also try Mr. Clean magic eraser.
  • Michelle Michelle on Jan 31, 2016
    Hair spray, takes time but does work
  • Patricia Patricia on Jan 31, 2016
    Rubbing alcohol. It works amazingly fast--just keep blotting and gently rubbing in. And if you happen to get ballpoint ink on clothes while you're out and about, just use a disinfecting wipe (like Purell). It'll get most of the ink out immediately and you can finish up at home with straight alcohol.
  • G.perrette G.perrette on Jan 31, 2016
    I read somewhere that it's the alcohol in the hairspray that does the job. There is a higher strength alcohol. I noticed that when I went looking. It's 91% Isopropyl instead of the regular. I wish you luck!!
  • Jimmy bennett Jimmy bennett on Jan 31, 2016
    Home Depot sells Zep orange citrus degreaser , spray , rub in ,add full strength liquid dish detergent / Dawn rub in , wash out .works great as a quick spot cleaner the citrus spray will probably do it alone , but i always add the Dawn for any residual oils . works better than any of the above or any thing else I've ever used. this citrus product is amazing . i mix up a 25% citrus cleaner to 75%water ,& enough dish detergent to suit my cleaning purposes to make a spray cleaner . it's so versatile to change the formula as needed ,& smells great .
  • Jean Thompson Jean Thompson on Jan 31, 2016
    Read that you can use Milk to get ink stains out. Have to leave it soak for a while...
  • Beve Falley Beve Falley on Jan 31, 2016
    Just want to second the hairspray hint, I got red ink out of a satin blouse with it in the past. You just need to apply it several times and don't panic when it seems to be spreading it.
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Jan 31, 2016
    Give the tablecloth to their mother and ask for her suggestions
  • Greenbeings Greenbeings on Jan 31, 2016
    Yep, hairspray!
  • Mar3393727 Mar3393727 on Jan 31, 2016
    I used to use hair spray, worked for me.
  • Cris Cris on Jan 31, 2016
    Hairspray has always worked for me...but the old kind like aqua net!
  • Rosemary Hesse Rosemary Hesse on Jan 31, 2016
    I find Hydron-peroxide works best for me. Has not failed me on any stain or fabric. Will not even harm silk.
  • Leslie Leslie on Jan 31, 2016
    I have always used the cheap aerosol-type hairspray. It works on my husband's dress shirts and my kids t-shirts as well. Like was mentioned above, AquaNet if it is still around. Also, I think rubbing alcohol works, but I would test dab it in an inconspicuous place, just in case it lightens the color. Good Luck!
  • Barb Barb on Jan 31, 2016
    Yep! Hair spray is the answer to all the world's problems!!!
  • CK CK on Jan 31, 2016
    Try hairspray as recommended. And then if it doesn't work, make your nephew's mother buy you a new one ;-) LOL!
  • Swan Road Designs Swan Road Designs on Jan 31, 2016
    Eek! First of all, WHO writes on someone else's tablecloth? I've never heard of such poor behavior/manners. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox. The first thing you might want to try is drenching it with plain old rubbing alcohol, then blot with a paper towel on both sides. I used to use that on my nursing uniforms. Worked like a charm. If that doesn't do the trick, massage in a good quantity of men's aerosol saving cream. It that fails you then, as has already been suggested, use hairspray. Beyond that, I can't offer any further suggestions. And, yes, whether or not you get the stains out, your nephews owe you a new tablecloth.
    • See 2 previous
    • MN Mom MN Mom on Jan 31, 2016
      I suggested she give the tablecloth to their mother and ask for her suggestion. I would be mortified...guess you and I are old-fashioned and that's ok with me!
  • Kathy Kathy on Jan 31, 2016
    Thanks to everyone for your feedback. The hairspray didn't work for me so I'm trying the citrus spray and Dawn.
    • Kecia Kecia on Feb 02, 2016
      @Kathy I have found that it HAS to be Clariol hairspray non-aersol.
  • Marge Shay Marge Shay on Jan 31, 2016
    Hairspray and Era laundry detergent.
  • Sandra Scott Sandra Scott on Jan 31, 2016
    Surgical Spirits worked for me
  • Patti C Patti C on Feb 02, 2016
    Before doing anything, take it to the cleaners. It is worth paying the price to get it back without any ink. They can get it our, but sometimes after you have tried and failed, it is more difficult for them, and some may remain. If you really love your tablecloth, take it to the cleaners.
  • Semeeker Semeeker on Feb 03, 2016
    Rub a raw onion on it. Has worked for me many times when pens have leaked.