How do I remove lead pencil marks from clothing?

Mix a tablespoon of liquid dish soap with a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and a tablespoon of white vinegar. Dampen a white cloth with the mixture and use it to gently rub the pencil stains. Rinse the garment with cold water and repeat the process if the stain is still visible. Launder according to clothing instructions.

Can I use any type of soap to clean pencil stains from clothes?

It’s best to use liquid dish soap for the cleaning process because it is gentle yet effective at breaking up grease and oil, which is what will help lift the stain from the surface of the garment.

Will vinegar harm my clothing?

No, vinegar is a mild cleaning agent, mild enough to be used even on delicate materials. It is important to rinse the clothing with cold water afterwards to avoid any potential discoloration.

WikiLaundry > Stains > Pencil > Sweater

Erase Pencil Stains From Sweaters Effortlessly

Accidentally spilled lead from a pencil onto your favorite sweater? Never fear, it’s easy to get out with the right technique. Here’s all you need to know to quickly and safely remove pencil faint from clothing.

Updated 13 Mar 2023

By Noemi Denker

Gathering Supplies

To remove pencil stains from clothing, all you need is a few simple, everyday items. Grab some liquid dish soap, vinegar, a white cloth, and hydrogen peroxide. You may also want to have a clean brush on hand for scrubbing stubborn spots.

Pre-Treatment

Before you tackle cleaning away the pencil stains, there are a few pre-treatment steps that can help minimize any potential damage:

Scrape off any excess lead with a butter knife or spoon.
Test a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide on an inconspicuous part of the garment to make sure it won’t bleach the color.
Gently dab the stained area with a damp white cloth.

Cleaning the Stain

Once you’ve completed the pre-treatment steps, it’s time to actually work on removing the pencil stain. Follow these steps:

Mix a tablespoon of liquid dish soap with a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and a tablespoon of white vinegar.
Dampen a white cloth with the mixture and use it to gently rub the pencil stains.
Rinse the garment with cold water.
Repeat process if the stain is still visible.
Launder according to clothing instructions.

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