Stain removal - Remove stains from markers and pens.
Little mishaps happen in the daily handling of pens and markers. In a hurry, we catch our favourite blouse with a highlighter. We accidentally smear tables, textiles or our smartphone with a biro. It is not uncommon for a pen to fall on a new pair of trousers and leave unsightly marks. But stubborn stains do not only lurk in the office.
Anyone who has children knows the problem. If there is not enough room in the colouring pad, they embellish radiators, walls, tables, furniture and floors with their felt-tip pens and crayons. In order to remove the traces of markers and crayons completely, we give you a few tips for effective stain removal.
How do I remove stains from ballpoint pens, markers or foil pens?
To remove stains from ballpoint pens and similar pens on textiles, pre-treat with liquid detergent. Optionally, use water and soapy water. Gently massage the detergent into the material. Then wash the fabric with the washing machine. This method of stain removal is suitable for water-soluble biros stains.
For fresh stains, use home remedies such as toothpaste, hairspray or washing-up liquid. Rub the product into the stain. After fifteen minutes of exposure, wash it out. After a machine wash, the stain will disappear completely.
In the case of stubborn inks, it is very difficult to dissolve stains from textiles and leather. This is where ethanol in the form of spirit comes into play. You can buy this in health food shops or drugstores. Most markers, foil pens and ballpoint pens contain two dyes that you dissolve with ethanol.
To do this, use a fleece cloth soaked in ethanol and dab the area to remove the dye. This method is also suitable for removing residues of fineliners or gel pens.
Important: Avoid rubbing the spot as this will increase the size of the stain. Before treating the stain with the remedy, test whether the textiles can withstand the application. To do this, use the spirit on an inconspicuous area of the clothing. If the fabric does not discolour, use it without hesitation. Be careful to avoid open flames during application, as the chemicals are quickly combustible.
How do I remove stains from highlighters?
It is difficult to remove dried-on stains from highlighters. In most cases, you will only achieve a reduction in intensity. Highlighters contain textile dyes that are responsible for the good adhesion to the paper. This also means that the ink adheres excellently to fabrics. Similar to wall paint, you do not dissolve it with water after it has dried, as the dye quickly cross-links with the garment.
When removing highlighter stains, it is important to act quickly. In the best case, remove the not yet absorbed dye immediately. To do this, place an absorbent, dry fleece on the affected area of the garment. Hold a moistened fleece under the fabric and gently press the dye from behind into the dry piece of fabric on the front. As the dry fibres absorb the dye immediately, you prevent the stain from spreading further. After the treatment, the dye that has already been absorbed remains in the fabric.
Treat the residue with stain remover or bile soap, rubbing it in with a damp cloth. Test the fabric in advance on a hidden spot to see if it is colourfast, in order to rule out any unattractive colour changes in the fibres.
Important: Immediately after removing the stain, wash the textiles in the machine at the highest possible temperature! This procedure is also recommended for stains caused by rollerball pens, fineliners or gel pens.
Popular home remedies for removing stains from highlighters include hair lacquer or hair spray. Spray the affected area with the product and leave it on for ten minutes. Then wash the stain out with warm water. Then throw the garment into the washing machine and clean it at a high temperature.
If the stains on white textiles are very stubborn, bleach can be used to remove them completely. In some cases, nail polish remover can be used to remove stains by dabbing it onto the affected areas with a cotton pad or stick.
How do I remove stains from crayons and felt-tip pens?
Especially in households with children, stains from felt-tip pens and crayons are a common nuisance. If the little ones try out their arts far away from the colouring block, they embellish their own skin, paint their playmates or spread the colour on their clothes. We tell you what helps to remove stains in individual cases:
- Stains from crayons and felt-tip pens on textiles: Dab off the colour of crayons with a clammy microfibre cloth. Then wash the fabric at the specified temperature to remove any residue in the fibres. Stain sprays or bile soap are suitable for pre-treatment. In the case of felt-tip pens, they can be washed out with plenty of water to which you add hand washing detergent. For textiles, it is sufficient to wash them in the machine at 40 °C, adding normal washing powder. Important: The sooner the stain is removed, the greater the chance that it will disappear completely.
- Coloured pencils and felt-tip pens on leather: Dabbing with a damp microfibre cloth is also recommended to remove the stains. If this is not sufficient for smooth leather, rub the spot gently with some scouring milk and a clammy cloth. The cleaning agent has an abrasive effect that can easily damage the surface of the leather, even if you are gentle. It is therefore advisable to apply a leather care product afterwards.
- Crayon stains on the skin: If children paint themselves with crayons or misuse them as make-up pencils, good advice is expensive. If a damp cloth is not enough, try using a peeling or pumice stone. By rubbing gently, you remove loose skin flakes on the surface and soften the colouring. Optionally, use hand washing paste for heavy soiling. However, this is highly irritating and not suitable for children's delicate skin. After use, wash the product off quickly with clean water to prevent skin damage. Then apply a care cream to soothe the skin.