How do I get ink out of a load of laundry?

United States
March 15, 2007 6:18pm CST
The load has been washed and dried and then we discovered ink all over everything. I've heard that hairspray works, has anyone tried it?
6 people like this
8 responses
Thoroughrob
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
16 Mar 07
Hairspray is good for permanant markers and ink. I used to use it on the smocks we had to wear at work. I am not sure how it will do on a whole load. Sounds like a lot of work.
2 people like this
Thoroughrob
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
16 Mar 07
I might even try WD-40. It takes out tomato and blood off of clothes. It might work.
2 people like this
Debs_place
@Debs_place (10520)
• United States
16 Mar 07
Hockeygal, I am afraid you are out of luck, you have heat set it, that is pretty much permanent.
2 people like this
hockeygal4ever
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
16 Mar 07
awwwwww... dagnabit! LOL I was hoping there was something out there that could help.
2 people like this
kiiizu
@kiiizu (1901)
• Estonia
21 Mar 07
You can try: 1) hot milk, or 2) citric acid, or 3) acetic acid 15%, warmed to 60 - 70 deg. C I found the tips in a book about old domestic household tricks. I haven't try them myself, and I'm not sure do they work in your case. The spots are much better removable when they are fresh, and as much I understand, the ink spoiled the whole mashineful. If you have white things there then after trying everything your friends are suggesting there you could try to to bleach them...
1 person likes this
kiiizu
@kiiizu (1901)
• Estonia
21 Mar 07
Yes, try and let me know, did it work or not. We can never know, perhaps one day it will happen to me also...
hockeygal4ever
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
21 Mar 07
What great ideas! I'm definitely going to do the hot milk one! Hope it works! LOL Thanks. And unfortunately most are colors, not whites. I have considered trying some color bleach but I don't think it's really that well known for removing stains in particular so I didn't bother.
tba123
@tba123 (457)
• United States
16 Mar 07
Sorry but from what I've saw and I've had this experience. After it's dried the ink is there to stay. It's enough to make a grown women cry well it was me anyway. If you find a solution please let us know.
2 people like this
cyntrow
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
16 Mar 07
Soak the load of laundry in vodka and white vinager overnight. Then wash again. It may not take all the stains out, but I think you will see a noticable difference. No water, just vodka and vinager.
1 person likes this
hockeygal4ever
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
17 Mar 07
LOL.. worse case scenario I can drink the soak and forget about the stains!!!!!
czechdoll1
@czechdoll1 (153)
• United States
16 Mar 07
Hairspray will work if the ink is fresh. Unfortunately, once something has been washed and dried the stain will usually be set. It couldn't hurt if you tried it though.
2 people like this
EdwardF
@EdwardF (431)
• United States
17 Mar 07
Wow...tough break. Hair spray will remove ink from some materials. We use to use it to remove prices from cans of food when they still priced it before scanners. I haven't ever heard of it being used on clothes though. Good luck... . your friend
1 person likes this
maildumpster
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
26 Mar 07
Oh dear I hate to say this but the stains are probably permanent now. You may want to try OxyClean and giving it a good soak. Also there is this stuff called Mostenbockers that has a formula for ink that might help. I have also used Goop on some ink stains with great success. The thing is I tend to catch ink stains before they end up in the dryer. Heat sets stains so you might not get them out. Good luck and let us know how you make out.