Tattoos are great and beautiful; getting them can be exciting because they become part of us since their inks are made to either be permanent or last as long as possible. This excitement can easily go sour when our favorite clothes get stained by these powerful inks.
Tattoo ink or accidental stains on clothes can happen to anyone. This can occur during tattooing if you had the unpleasant experience of a pen exploding or when the ink seeps from your skin to your clothing.
Ways To Get Tattoo Ink Out OF Clothes
Tattoo ink stain removal can be a bit tricky but very doable; however, treating the stain on time can increase your chances of perfectly removing the stain. Do not put a tattoo ink-stained cloth into your washing machine or dryer without first treating the stain.
Doing so will set the ink stain, making it harder to remove. In removing tattoo ink stains, a potent solvent is required. In the methods below, we will list potent solvents that can be found easily at home and can come in handy for removing stains. Below are ways you can effectively remove tattoo ink stains;
1. Use Chlorine bleach
Chlorine bleach is the most popular type of bleach out there because of its effectiveness in stain removal; it uses sodium hypochlorite as its active ingredient. This chlorine-based chemical is what makes bleach a potent solvent.
This bleach should only be used on white clothes since it can damage colored clothes by removing the clothes dye. Below are the steps to follow when using this method:
Step 1: Begin by rinsing off the excess stain with clean water if the stain is still fresh. Read the cloth’s care label to ensure it supports bleaching
Step 2: Fill the bowl with warm water and add bleach to the water. Soak the stained cloth into the solution,
Step 3: Leave for about 5 minutes, take the clothes out, put them in the washing machine, and wash as usual.
2. Use Oxygen bleach
Oxygen bleach or non-chlorine bleach is a type of bleach that uses hydrogen peroxide as its active ingredient. Although not as potent as chlorine bleach, this bleach is still strong enough to remove stains.
It is safe to use this bleach on colored clothes, especially colorfast clothes. It includes most of the bleaches you find in stores. Here are steps to follow when using this method:
Step 1: Rinsing off the excess stain with clean water. Using a cloth or cotton, test the bleach on a hidden part of the cloth to make sure it’s safe.
Step 2: Fill your bowl or sink with warm water. Add 3/4 cup of the bleach to the water, then add your normal amount of detergent
Step 3: Sock in your clothes and leave for some minutes. Non-chlorine bleach works slower than chlorine bleach, so you must be patient.
Step 4: Once the stain is gone, you can wash and rinse the cloth as usual.
3. Use Ammonia
Ammonia is another very powerful cleaning agent that needs to be handled with proper care; it is very effective at removing stains in clothes.
This product can remove a tattoo ink stain because ammonia is an extremely potent solvent. It should not be mixed with other cleaning agents like chlorine bleach, which can be dangerous. To use ammonia to remove tattoo ink stain, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Fill a bowl or sink with warm water. Add one cup of ammonia to the water.
Step 2: Add your regular laundry detergent, soak in the stained cloth, and leave for about thirty minutes or an hour.
Step 3: Wash as usual or put it into your washing machine
4. Use Vinegar
Vinegar belongs not just in the kitchen but also in the laundry room. It can be used to remove tough stains. It can also be used to remove tattoo ink stains. To use this method, follow the instructions below:
Step 1: Fill your bowl with water. Add 1/4 cup of vinegar and stir.
Step 2: Soak the stained cloth and leave for some hours, if possible at night. Wash and rinse clothes as usual and then dry them
5. Use Baking soda
Just like vinegar, baking soda is another effective stain remover. Even though it takes quite a long time to work, it is still a potent solvent. It is effective in removing tattoo ink stains. To use baking soda, you have to do is follow the instructions below:
Step 1: Lay the stained cloth flat on a table. Place a board under the part to separate it from the other side.
Step 2: Mix baking soda and water in a bowl to create a paste. Dip the toothbrush in baking soda and scrub the stained area
Step 3: Leave the paste on for at least 30 minutes. Rinse the cloth and wash as usual.
How To Remove Tattoo Ink Without Washing
It is possible to remove tattoo ink from your clothes without washing them. Here are simple methods to use:
1. Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a potent solvent that is effective for stain removal and can be used to fight tattoo ink stains. The alcohol content helps to dissolve the ink, so you can easily wash it from your clothing. Here are steps to follow when using this method:
Step 1: Lay the stained cloth flat on a table. Place an absorbent towel under the stained part to separate it from the other side.
Step 2: Dip a clean cloth or cotton in the alcohol. Gently rub the cotton or cloth on the stained part. Continue until the stain disappears.
2. Nail polish remover
Nail polish remover is another product that can be found easily in our homes. It is a potent solvent effective in tattoo ink stain removal. Nail polish removers contain powerful chemicals. Before using them, you may need to test them on an undisclosed cloth area. Below are the steps to follow if you want to use this method:
Step 1: Lay the stained cloth flat on a table. Place an absorbent towel under the stained part to separate it from the other side.
Step 2: Dip a clean cloth or cotton in the alcohol. Gently rub the cotton or cloth on the stained part. Continue until the stain disappears.
3. Hair spray
Another home-based product that is good in fighting stains is the hair spray. Hair spray containing alcohol is good at removing stains and tattoo ink. Here are steps to follow when using this method:
Step 1: Lay the stained cloth flat on a table. Place a board under the part to separate it from the other side. Spray the hair spray directly on the ink stain.
Step 2: Using cotton, gently scrub the ink-stained area. Rinse the area. If the stain remains, repeat the process until the stain disappears.