How to remove a stain from a gel pen - many good ways

Modern parents are familiar with the problem of removing stains firsthand, because children love to write with gel pens. Let's determine how to remove gel pen from clothes effectively and quickly, consider and compare different methods of removing stains.

What is important to know

First of all, you need to remember a number of important nuances:

• Pastes for gel pens are alcohol-soluble and water-soluble. You need to try different methods: if you can’t wash it with water, use an alcohol-containing solution.
• You need to remove ink marks in cold water, since hot water will only “weld” them to the material.
• To prevent the stain from spreading, you need to limit it on all sides with melted paraffin. You can remove paraffin at the end of the procedure with an iron. To do this, place paper napkins (or a towel) on the bottom and top of the item being treated and iron the fabric.
• Remember that it is better to start cleaning from the less noticeable underside.

Suitable chemicals

If you don’t want to spend a lot of time solving an everyday problem, your choice is industrial stain removers, which can be bought at any household chemical store.

• Vanish is a popular product that easily cleans both fresh and old stains from gel pens. It can be used for white and colored items. Acts quickly - within 10 minutes. The product should not be used for items made of silk, wool, or leather, since it contains chlorine.

Recommendations for removal are very simple: first wet the contaminated area with water and treat it with gel. Then wait 10 minutes and wash the item with Vanish according to the instructions.

• Stain remover "Expert" from Dr. Beckmann. The company produces several different cleaners - each type of stain has its own “Expert”. This is where “Expert: Pen and Ink” comes in handy. Effective within 10–15 minutes.

The formula contains active oxygen, so the product should be used with caution when cleaning colored fabrics.

Recommendations for use: apply the gel, wait 10 minutes, then remove the residue with a clean napkin and wash the item as usual.

• Amway SA8 stain remover. Works on all types of stains, including new and old. Its formula includes active oxygen, so it is better to use it on things that do not fade. In other cases, it is worth first testing the remedy where the flaws will not be visible. Manufacturers have also developed a stain remover for wool and silk items. To wash an item with Amway SA8, you need to dilute 1 tbsp. spoon of stain remover powder in 1 glass of water, moisten the desired area and soak it in the solution for 1-3 minutes, then wash the product.

Table No. 1. The effectiveness of popular chemicals

Folk remedies

Almost all chemical bleaches harm natural fibers, especially silk. That is why experienced housewives use folk remedies at home.

1. Soda and water will save a silk blouse.You just need to mix the ingredients to a paste consistency, apply it to the stain and leave for 5-10 minutes, then wash the item.
2. Warm or sour milk will wash white and colored natural and delicate fabrics. If the area of ​​contamination is large, change the milk as it becomes colored. The plan is this: heat the milk to about 37ºC, soak the stained area in it for 30 minutes and rinse in cold water.
3. Soda with alcohol will take care of things made from natural fabrics - both colored and white. First, treat the contaminated area with alcohol and generously sprinkle it with salt. Wait 20 minutes and rinse the product in cold water.
4. Toothpaste will help remove pen marks. This method is used when you need to remove stains from white clothes. To do this, apply toothpaste to the stained item, rub well and leave for half an hour. Wash your clothes as usual.
5. Alcohol and peroxide will remove stains from white synthetic items. Treat the stain with hydrogen peroxide, prepare a solution of one glass of water and one tablespoon of alcohol. Soak the stain with this solution, and then wash the item.
6. Acetic acid will get rid of ink prints on synthetic items of any color. Just treat them with acid, then rub and leave for a few minutes. Once the effect is achieved, you need to wash the entire item.
7. An ammonia solution (ammonia) will help remove ink from light-colored synthetic fabrics. Mix a few drops of ammonia in half a glass of water and treat the problem area with the solution. Rinse the product with cold water.
8. The gel pen paste can be easily removed from any type of fabric with hairspray. Apply varnish to the stained area and remove the stain with an absorbent rag.The procedure must be repeated until the traces completely disappear, then wash the clothes.
9. Laundry soap is the most popular product among housewives. It tackles fresh stains easily and can be used on all types of fabric. Lather the stained area, scrub well and rinse in cold water. Lather again and leave in water for 10–20 minutes, then wash the item.

Table No. 2. Traditional methods of removing stains

Methods for clothing made from natural fabrics, leather, suede

There are special methods for leather, suede, natural nubuck, cotton and linen. However, some options from the previous section will also work.

• A mixture of alcohols. The composition is slightly more effective than a mixture of alcohol and acetic acid, since it contains acetic alcohol. This method is used to remove dried stains on both fabric and leather. Mix ethyl and vinegar alcohol in equal proportions, then apply the solution to the blot and wait a few minutes. Blot with a damp cloth.
• Warm milk. To remove a dried stain on a shirt, you need to first soak it in milk for several hours. This method can be used to remove stains from natural fibers (wool, silk, cotton, linen, viscose).
• Using ammonia You can clean suede items: mix alcohol with water in a one-to-one ratio and gently wipe the stain with the resulting solution.
• Hairspray Fresh pen stains are easily removed from the skin. To do this, just spray the item with varnish and wipe it with a soft absorbent cloth.
• An aqueous solution of valerian Removes fresh traces of gel pen from suede.
• A mixture of soda and water removes fresh dirt from handles on natural fibers.

Table No. 3. Folk methods for removing old and fresh pen stains