So, you’ve got a gel pen stain on your clothes. Don’t worry, it happens to everyone. One minute you’re writing, the next minute—whoops—your shirt is covered in ink. But the good news is, it’s not as hard to get out as it might seem.
Act Fast and Blot the Stain
First off, the quicker you act, the better. Grab a paper towel or cloth and gently blot the stain. Don’t rub it—just tap at it to soak up as much ink as you can. Rubbing will only spread the stain, so keep it light.
What You Need to Get It Out
You don’t need some fancy stain remover for this. Chances are, you’ve got some stuff around the house that’ll work just fine. Rubbing alcohol, hairspray, or even hand sanitizer will do the trick. Just dab a little on a cotton ball or cloth and gently blot the stain. Don’t go crazy—just let the product sit for a minute before you blot again. Repeat a few times if you need to.
Wash and Check Before You Dry
Once you’ve gotten most of the stain out, throw your clothes in the wash. Use the warmest water the fabric can handle. But—and this is important—don’t dry it yet. Always check to see if the stain is completely gone before you toss it in the dryer. If it’s still there, just repeat the blotting process one more time.
When to Get Help From a Professional
If after all that the stain still won’t budge, you might want to take it to a dry cleaner. They’ve got the right stuff to get rid of stubborn stains.