How to Easily Get Rid of Ink Stains on Your Buttondown Shirt
Accidentally spilling ink on your favorite buttondown shirt can be a total bummer. But don't worry, it's not the end of the world! Here are some super easy steps to remove ink stains from your beloved buttondown.
Updated 20 Feb 2023
By Luke Smith
Removing Fresh Ink Stains
- Dab stain gently with a damp cloth soaked in water. Don't rub the fabric, as this may spread the stain.
- Apply a little rubbing alcohol directly onto the stain.
- Cover the stain with a paper towel and iron over it on low setting.
- Check the stain after a few minutes. If it's still there, repeat step 2 and 3 until the stain is gone.
Removing Set-In Ink Stains
- Create a mixture of 1 tablespoon of detergent, 1 teaspoon of ammonia, and 1 cup of water.
- Soak the stained area in the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse it out with cold water.
- Apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the stain.
- Cover the stained area with a damp paper towel or cloth and press with an iron set to low heat.
- Check stained area every few minutes to make sure it isn't too hot.
- If the stain is gone, launder the shirt as you normally would.
Preventing Future Ink Stains
- Always test chemicals on a tiny corner of the fabric first before using them on stain.
- Pre-treat the stain right away, as soon as possible. Fresh stains are much easier to remove than those that have set in.
- Keep a bottle of rubbing alcohol handy in case of emergency spills.
- Always check garment care labels before attempting to remove the stain.
- Have your shirt professionally dry-cleaned if the stain still won't come out.