There’s nothing more frustrating than opening the dryer to find all of your clean clothes splattered with pen ink. 

As moms, we get it—sometimes you’re in a hurry and forget to check pockets.

Accidentally leaving a pen in your laundry can feel disastrous, especially once heat or time sets the stain.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help!

In this article, we’re sharing several natural and effective methods to remove pen ink from clothes after drying.

1: Rubbing Alcohol 

Dried pen ink stains, especially oil-based pigments found in ballpoint pen ink, are no match for rubbing alcohol. 

During treatment, it acts as a solvent, dissolving and lifting the ink from the fabric’s fibers.

With any stain, it’s always best to act quickly for easy removal. But even if pen ink has set in, rubbing alcohol is most likely your best bet.

Note: Although rubbing alcohol is proven to remove pen ink and is a safer choice than bleach or other commercial stain removers, we don’t generally recommend it for everyday cleaning. 

Learn why in Hydrogen Peroxide Vs Rubbing Alcohol: Which is Safest? 

How to use rubbing alcohol to remove pen ink from clothes after drying

If you choose to use rubbing alcohol to remove pen ink, we highly recommend using it in a ventilated area away from babies, children, or anyone with respiratory illness or chemical sensitivity.

Also, use rubber gloves and do not allow the rubbing alcohol to come into contact with your eyes or skin.

Here’s how to use rubbing alcohol to remove pen ink stains:

Method 1:

1. Place an old towel underneath the stain. This will prevent the pen ink from transferring to other areas of the garment during treatment.
   
2. Soak a cotton ball or clean cloth in rubbing alcohol. Gently dab until the stain is saturated. This will begin to break up the ink for easier removal.
   
3. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
   
4. With a clean, dry cloth or cotton ball, blot the area again. The ink should lift and transfer to the cloth or cotton ball.
   
5. Repeat steps 2-4 as needed until the pen ink lifts.
   
6. Launder as usual. Check to ensure the stain is gone before drying.

Method 2:

1. Stretch the stained area over the mouth of a jar or drinking glass. Make sure the item is pulled taut before applying the rubbing alcohol.
   
2. Using a small dropper, slowly drip rubbing alcohol onto the stain. This should lift the pen ink from the fibers and will drip into the jar.
   
3. Rinse the item in cold running water.
   
4. Repeat the process as needed.
   
5. Let air dry.
   

2. Branch Basics—Two Ways

Branch Basics’ all-in-one cleaning system is simple, affordable, and can be used for any cleaning job, including stain removal.

Depending on the stain, we typically recommend using Branch Basics All-Purpose for fresh stains, Bathroom for tougher stains, undiluted Concentrate for oily stains, and Oxygen Boost as a soaking agent for really tough, dried, or set-in stains.

For set-in pen ink stains, try Concentrate or Oxygen Boost.

Here’s how to use Branch Basics Concentrate to remove pen ink from clothes after drying:

1. Blot up as much of the stain as possible using a damp cloth.
   
2. Add a few drops of Branch Basics Concentrate directly onto the stain.
   
3. Let sit for 1-10 minutes.
   
4. Wet the stain again and gently agitate with a soft-bristled brush until the stain lifts.
   
5. Rinse in cold water and repeat if necessary.
   
6. When the stain lifts, launder as usual with a natural, human-safe laundry detergent like Branch Basics Laundry.

Alternatively, you can use Oxygen Boost* and a small amount of Branch Basics Concentrate to remove set-in pen ink from clothes after drying.

Here’s how:

1. Blot up as much of the stain as possible using a damp cloth.
   
2. Fill a large bowl or basin with cold water.
   
3. Add ½ teaspoon Branch Basics Concentrate and one half to 1 scoop of Oxygen Boost.
4. Mix well.
   
5. Add the stained garment to the soaking solution.
   
6. Agitate to work the solution through the fabric.
   
7. Soak for 15 minutes to a few hours.
   
8. Launder using a human-safe laundry detergent such as Branch Basics Laundry.
   
9. Repeat if necessary before drying.

*Note: Always test an inconspicuous area to ensure colorfastness. Oxygen Boost can have a lightening effect on clothing, but it is typically fine to use as a soaking aid on all colored clothing.

For more detailed instructions on how to use Branch Basics as a natural stain remover, be sure to refer to our Branch Basics Stainmaster Guide.

3. Lemon Juice and Salt

Remove dried pen ink with the natural stain-fighting and bleaching power of lemon juice and salt*. 

This method works best on white cotton shirts stained with water-based pen inks, like washable markers and gel pens.

How it works:

The salt acts as a gentle abrasive, helping to lift the ink without damaging the fabric. 

Combined with the citric acid in lemon juice, this mixture breaks down the ink and prevents it from spreading across the material.

How to remove pen ink from clothes after drying with lemon juice and salt:

1. Place an old towel underneath the stain. Then, wet the stain with water.
   
2. Squeeze undiluted lemon juice directly onto the stain.
   
3. Pour table salt over the lemon juice and gently rub it into the stain.
   
4. Let dwell for 10-15 minutes.
   
5. Rinse with cold water. If the stain lifts or lightens, move to the next step. If not, repeat the above steps.
   
6. Squeeze more lemon juice over the stain and gently dab it in.
   
7. Hang the garment in the sun. Together, the lemon juice and sun will naturally bleach the stain.
   
8. Launder as usual.

*Note: While lemon juice is generally safe on all types of light-colored garments, salt should not be used on delicate items like wool and silk.

4. Vinegar and Cornstarch

For a natural, non-toxic way to remove dried ink stains, combine vinegar and cornstarch to make a stain-removing paste.

How to remove pen ink from clothes after drying with vinegar and cornstarch:

1. Dampen the stain with a few drops of vinegar.
   
2. Mix two parts vinegar to three parts cornstarch in a bowl to make a paste.
   
3. Slather the paste onto the pen ink stain. Allow to dry.
   
4. Brush off the paste with a natural scrub brush or soft-bristled toothbrush.
   
5. Repeat as necessary.
   
6. Rinse with cold water to remove any remaining paste and launder as usual.

The vinegar helps break down the ink, while the cornstarch absorbs it, making it easier to remove in the washing machine.

For more uses, check out Cleaning Vinegar vs White Vinegar: Whats The Difference?, and 12 Ways to Use Vinegar in Your Home.

Tips For Set-In Ink Stains

Removing set-in pen ink can be tricky. But with the right approach, you can easily lift even the toughest stains.

Here are a few tips to help you tackle tough pen ink stains:

• Act Quickly: Even if the stain has set in, the quicker you treat it, the better the results.
  
• Use Natural and Reliable Laundry Stain Removers: Opt for safe and natural stain removers like Branch Basics Concentrate, Oxygen Boost, and/or the effective options listed above.
  
• Blot, Don’t Rub: Scrubbing too hard can redistribute the ink, causing a more significant stain. Gently blot, dab, or use a soft-bristled toothbrush to work the stain out.
  
• Avoid Heat: Heat, in any form, will drive the ink deeper, locking it into the garment’s fibers. While treating, avoid hot water and dryer heat, opting for cold water and air drying instead.
  
• Repeat Treatment if Necessary: Set-in stains are typically deeper in the fabric fibers and may require multiple treatments. If the stain remains, repeat the process until it lifts.

Finally, if there’s only a little bit of ink stain remaining, try sunning the garment.

Sun acts as a natural bleach alternative, and will gradually (or quickly, depending on where you live) erase stains.

Note: The sun can fade colored clothing quickly, so only leave it out for 15-30 minutes at a time or cover the rest of the garment to reduce fading.

Healthier Homes With Branch Basics

Stains happen. But with the right products, like Branch Basics and common household products, you can easily remove pen ink from clothes after drying.

If you’ve been dealing with stubborn clothing stains, Branch Basics has you covered. 

With our all-in-one cleaning system, you’ll have everything you need for stain removal, laundry, house cleaning, and more. 

To get started, check out our Premium Starter Kits, available in refillable plastic or glass bottles.

Our Premium Starter Kits have everything you need to remove any type of stain on clothes, carpets, furniture, and more. Each kit comes with a bottle of Concentrate, refillable bottles, and a bag of Oxygen Boost.

All Branch Basics products are made with only the most gentle, human-safe, plant- and mineral-based ingredients. 

They are also Made-Safe Certified, Leaping Bunny Certified, third-party certified to not be a skin or eye irritant, and safe for the most sensitive individuals, including babies, pets, and the chemically sensitive.

Learn more about our products and how the system works in How To Get Started With Your Branch Basics Kit.

And be sure to check out our other educational resources on natural cleaning, stain removal, healthy living, and more in our Wellness Center and Toss The Toxins Online Course.