Accidents happen. A pen in your pocket leaks. A quick doodle ends up on your thigh. And now, there’s a dark blue or black stain on your jeans. Pen ink can be tough, but it’s not impossible to remove. You just need the right method and a bit of patience. Don’t throw those jeans away just yet.
Here’s how to get pen ink out of jeans, step by step.
Act Fast
Fresh ink stains are easier to remove. Once the ink dries, it sticks deeper into the fabric. So as soon as you notice the stain, stop it from spreading. Do not rub it. Rubbing pushes the ink further into the cloth. Blot it gently with a clean paper towel or a soft cloth. This soaks up extra ink.
Test Before You Treat
Always test any cleaning method on a small hidden part of your jeans. Some products can lighten the fabric or damage the texture. Better safe than sorry.
Use Rubbing Alcohol or Hand Sanitizer
Alcohol is a powerful ink remover. Many pens use alcohol-based ink, so this method works well.
What you need:
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Rubbing alcohol or clear hand sanitizer
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Cotton balls or soft cloth
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Old towel or thick paper towels
Steps:
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Place your jeans on a towel. Put the ink stain face down on top of the towel.
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Dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol.
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Dab the back of the stained area. You will see the ink start to transfer to the towel underneath.
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Keep blotting until no more ink comes off.
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Rinse with cold water.
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Wash the jeans as usual.
This method works best on small ink stains.
Try Milk for a Gentle Touch
Milk sounds strange, but it works. It’s gentle on fabric and can break down ink.
Steps:
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Pour milk into a bowl.
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Soak the stained part of the jeans overnight.
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In the morning, take the jeans out and rinse with cold water.
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Wash in the washing machine.
This method is slow but safe. It’s great for light stains or older fabric.
Use Vinegar and Cornstarch Paste
Vinegar helps clean, and cornstarch makes a paste that sticks to the stain.
What you need:
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White vinegar
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Cornstarch
Steps:
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Mix two parts vinegar with three parts cornstarch to form a paste.
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Apply the paste to the ink stain.
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Let it dry completely.
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Brush off the dried paste.
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Rinse with cold water.
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Wash the jeans.
This works well for bigger stains. It’s also good if you don’t have alcohol at home.
Use Baking Soda and Water
Baking soda is a gentle scrub that lifts stains.
Steps:
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Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a bit of water.
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Make a thick paste.
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Rub the paste on the ink stain using a soft brush or your fingers.
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Let it sit for 15 minutes.
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Rinse and check the stain.
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Wash the jeans in cold water.
Repeat if needed.
Wash and Air Dry
After using any stain remover, always wash your jeans in cold water. Hot water can set the stain. Use regular detergent. Let the jeans air dry. Do not use the dryer until you are sure the stain is gone. Heat will make the stain permanent.
What Not to Do
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Don’t rub the stain hard.
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Don’t use hot water first.
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Don’t dry the jeans until the ink is gone.
These actions make it harder to remove the ink later.
Final Tips
Use clean cloths for blotting. Dirty ones can spread more ink. Be patient. Some stains need more than one try. Always check the care label on your jeans. Some fabrics may need special treatment.
Ink stains look scary, but most can be removed at home. With simple tools like alcohol, vinegar, or baking soda, you can save your jeans. Just remember to act fast and avoid heat. The sooner you treat the stain, the better your chances.
No need to panic the next time a pen leaks. A few steps and some household items are all you need. Try one method, or try a few. Your jeans deserve a second chance.
