How to Get Ink Out of Knit

Water-Based Ink Stains

• 1

  Place a clean towel on a flat surface. Lay the ink-stained part of the knit garment on top of the towel. Soak the stain with water and blot it with paper towel or a clean rag.

• 2

  Apply a small dab of liquid laundry detergent onto the stain and let it soak for about five minutes.

• 3

  Check the care instructions for your garment to see how warm of water you can wash the garment in without it shrinking. Wash the garment following those instructions. Repeat Step 2 if any remnants of the stain persist, then wash the garment again before drying.

Permanent Ink Stains

• 4

  Lay the knit garment on a flat, non-absorbent surface. Use a dampened sponge or paper towel to dab the ink stain.

• 5

  Spray the ink stain with an unscented, hold-style hair spray. Place the paper towel behind the area where the stain is and another one on top of the area where the stain is. Turn the garment over so the stain is facing downward. Blot the stain again.

• 6

  Pretreat the stain with a dab of liquid laundry detergent, allowing it to rest for five minutes.

• 7

  Wash the garment as directed by the care instructions and allow it to air dry.

• 8

  Use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on the stain if the hair spray treatment did not work. Add a couple drops to a hidden area of the garment to make sure it is colorfast.

• 9

  Place the garment on a clean towel and add some rubbing alcohol to a paper towel or cloth rag. Blot the stain with the rubbing alcohol. Move the garment around as the towel becomes stained with ink. Rinse the area with water before washing and drying as directed.

• 10

  Use finger nail polish remover if the rubbing alcohol did not remove the stain completely. Follow the same procedure as listed for using the rubbing alcohol.