Biro on fabric and clothing

Ben84

If they're items you really want to keep, getting professional help from a dry cleaner is probably the safest option.

You haven't said what type of fabrics they are? Synthetics can react badly with some chemicals.

However, I have had good results removing various stains. You need to try and wash the stain out the way it came, so do not ever pour anything on top of a stain. I know that's how they show stain products being used in advertising and on products, but it doesn't work well as it pushes the stain in deeper. Put a clean folded up bit of scrap cloth against the surface of the stain (the side where the ink/staining substance first contacted) then turn the item over and apply the cleaning product from behind to push it out in to the scrap cloth.

The cleaning product you use depends on the item fabric and the stain type. For biro ink, you'll probably need solvents. Rubbing alcohol for example.

A slightly different variation of this which I prefer, but really needs to be done outside is to use a butane can (lighter refill) to spray butane through the stain. It vaporises almost instantly, so put the end of the can right against the fabric to push it through while it's still liquid. Between the solvent and the pressure, most solvent soluble materials migrate very quickly in to the rag. The benefit of the butane is that it is pretty much inert to other chemical reactions (except ignition, so avoid flames!) and it vaporises immediately, leaving nothing in the fabric, so rather than soak the stain in some chemical only to find it doesn't work and to then worry about adding another one and how it might react, this one even if it doesn't work leaves as many options as before.

Another very good stain remover, I find it works on nearly every stain and beats any commercial stain spray I've tried so far is household ammonia. This might be a better option for washable ink however.

dr_winston

Well they're all synthetics, the jacket is a harrington. The main problem I'm finding is the fact that the biros were sat in my pockets so they've properly soaked in. Not dealing with just a biro mark here people!

So basically I can blast it off one way with lighter fuel on to a cloth without pushing?

What would be the method with nail polish remover?

Thanks so far : )

Alton_Towers

Hairspray works a treat on biro, spray and dab as much out before washing. I also agree with work from the back of the stain against an old cloth or towel so it soaks into it and not through the other side of the jacket.

Ben84

dr_winston wrote: »

Well they're all synthetics, the jacket is a harrington. The main problem I'm finding is the fact that the biros were sat in my pockets so they've properly soaked in. Not dealing with just a biro mark here people!

So basically I can blast it off one way with lighter fuel on to a cloth without pushing?

What would be the method with nail polish remover?

Thanks so far : )

Nail polish remover is usually acetone - which is a good solvent, but it does chemically attack many plastics so I'm not too sure you should apply it to synthetic clothing unless nothing else has worked and you're willing to take a chance.

I would probably go for the ammonia first as it has been the most successful general stain remove I've tried so far, using it from behind the stain and a clean cloth for the stain to migrate in to on the front. Depending on the type of ink, it might work very well. You don't really want it to just spread out, so I would use the ammonia solution in a spray bottle and move from the edges to the centre.

zippychick

ive mergd this with our biro on clothing thread which should have loads of ideas
we also have ink stains on clothing

Let us know what works

Zip

BAGGY

Any ideas? They appear to be dark green permanant marker pen on the cuff and tummy area. They were given to me so dont know how old they are.
I've tried........hairspray. Fairy soap. Soaking in vinegar and bio. colour catcher sachet. Nail varnish remover. Vanish bar.
Help please oh wise people.

carefullycautious

soak in milk for a few hours untill it leaves fabric. What you dont want to do is set it into the material.

Not sure if it will remove marker but it does remove all other felt tip and ink/biro marks

meritaten

set in stains are a bu99er! try a stain devil for permanent marker and if that doesnt work dye the garment Green! but, the cost of this may be more than binning the garment and buying a new one! any reason why you particularly want this garment in this colour?

zippychick

we have a few links to help you

Removing permanent marker from a jacket

biro on fabric and clothing - is probably the one you're looking for.

Hope these help and I'll merge this later on

Zip

BAGGY

Yellow is the colour of the primary school uniform!!!!! £11 new and I have 4 to 'rescue'