Key steps
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Test your chosen method on an inconspicuous area.
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Place a towel under the fabric.
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Use commercial products per the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Other methods include using rubbing alcohol, hand sanitiser, or butter on the stain.
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Wash your clothes as normal.
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Check the stain is gone before drying.
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Air dry your clothing.
Whether it was an exploded pen or an artistic mishap, finding ballpoint pen stains on your clothes can be a heart-sink moment. But with the right methods and materials you can learn how to get biro out of clothes easily and make them as good as new again!
Whichever method you choose to get biro out of clothes, follow up by washing your clothes as normal with a good-quality detergent to get them back to their best.
How to remove biro from clothes: quick and easy steps to follow
The biro has been around since the late 1800s, and many have loved it for its practical use.[1] However, it is still far from perfect. For instance, it can still leak and leave stains on garments. Here’s everything you need to know about how to get biro off clothes:
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Always test any of your chosen stain removal products on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric. Moreover, look out for signs of discolouration or other reactions
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Place a towel underneath the stained area of the fabric before applying any cleaning solution. This will prevent the biro from soaking through and staining more areas.
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Apply a commercial stain removal if possible, following the manufacturer’s instructions. If you don’t have one to hand, you could try out some household alternatives like hand sanitiser or even butter! Find out how these work below.
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Check the care label and wash your clothing on the hottest setting you can use without damaging the item, with a quality detergent such as Persil.
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Avoid washing with any other items to prevent ink transfer.
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Check that the stain has disappeared before drying, and avoid using a tumble dryer. Let the garment air-dry instead; if there are any remaining biro marks once it's dried, repeat the steps above.
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For other ink removal tips, check out our articles on getting ink out of clothes and how to get biro out of leather.
Alternative methods to remove biro from clothes
Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser can work as household alternatives to commercial stain removers.
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Apply the solution to the biro stain.
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Allow it to soak for 10 minutes.
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Apply a liquid detergent such as Persil to the stained area.
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Rub the detergent into the stain with your fingers.
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Skip to step 6.
You can even use butter to remove biro from clothes using the following steps:
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Rub salted butter into the stain using a soft cloth. Take care to focus on the stain only, and not to spread butter anywhere else on your clothes.
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Always rub the stain in a circular motion, working from the outside in.
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Leave the item in direct sunlight for 1–2 days.
How to get dried biro out of clothes using hairspray
Because most hairsprays contain alcohol, they are also effective in removing dried biro from clothes. Here are the steps:
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Spritz hairspray generously on the biro stain.
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Let the hairspray sit on the affected area for about ten minutes.
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If you notice it drying up, spritz more hairspray on it.
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Use a clean cloth to rub the biro stain off the garment.
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Once the ink has dissolved, wash the piece of clothing as you normally would.
Pro Tip: You can also use hairspray to get old stains out of clothes.
How to get biro ink out of clothes with vinegar
The acetic acid in vinegar is effective in breaking down dirt.[2] So, you can also use it to loosen up biro stains. Follow these instructions:
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Mix equal parts vinegar and water.
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Apply the vinegar solution onto the biro stain.
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Let the vinegar solution sit on the affected area for about ten minutes.
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Use a toothbrush to scrub the stain off the garment.
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Once the biro stain has lifted, wash your clothing as you normally would.
Quick Tip: Check out our article on how to do laundry like a pro to discover cleaning hacks for your stained clothes.
How to get ballpoint pen out of clothes using baking soda
Bicarbonate of soda is another natural ink remover. Follow these steps:
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Create a paste by mixing equal parts baking soda and vinegar.
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Apply the paste onto the biro stain and let it sit there for about ten minutes.
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Gently scrub the stain off the garment using a toothbrush.
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Once you see that the stain has faded, wash the clothing piece as you normally would.
Pro Tip: Read our guide on cleaning with baking soda around the house.
With our tips on how to remove biro from fabric and clothing, you can be sure to clear up any mishaps. Moreover, you can get your clothing ready to wear in no time.
How to get biro out of clothes: tips for specific types of clothing
The aforementioned tips generally work for most types of clothing. However, you can also follow the instructions below for specific garments. Also, remember to check the washing symbols to ensure that you’re following the recommended cleaning method for the specific piece of clothing.
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Jeans: It’s best to get biro out of jeans while the ink is still wet. So as soon as the accident happens, take a microfibre cloth or a paper towel and blot out the excess ink. Then, add a few drops of isopropyl alcohol and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub the ink residue off. Once you’ve done those, sprinkle a bit of Persil detergent onto the stain and wash it under cold-running water.
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Linen or canvas clothes: For these types of clothing, you’ll need to run a quick test first. Soak a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and dab it onto an incospicuous area. If the colour doesn’t fade, you can proceed. To remove biro out of linen or canvas clothes, you’ll need a jar. Stretch the stained spot over the jar’s mouth and hold it in place tightly. Pour isopropyl alcohol over the affected area and let it drip into the jar. Rinse the clothing under cold, running water.
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Nylon or polyester: Check the fabric for colourfastness before getting the biro stains out. If the dye doesn’t wash out, you can follow the same steps we shared for removing biro stains from linen or canvas clothes.
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Silk: silk fabrics are quite delicate, so make sure to check the care label before trying any stain treatment. Plus, when it comes to silk clothing, your best option is still to take the garment to professional cleaners. However, if that isn’t possible, you can try blotting the stain off under cold, running water and with a paper towel. If you still see some biro stains, apply a reasonable amount of hairspray to the affected area and blot it off in warm water. You can also try using a mixture of warm water and white vinegar as a stain removal treatment.
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Velvet: Velvet is also quite delicate so you should carefully review the care label before trying to get biro stains out. For this type of clothing, you’ll need to make a soaking solution. Mix half a teaspoon of washing-up liquid with a tablespoon of white vinegar and a litre of warm water. Soak the velvet clothing in the solution for about 30 minutes, then rinse it under cool, running water. If you still see biro residue, blot it out using a paper towel or a microfibre cloth. You can also try dampening the cloth with isopropyl alcohol before blotting the stain.
References:
1. Dowling, S. (2022, February 24). The cheap pen that changed writing forever. BBC Future. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201028-history-of-the-ballpoint-pen
2. Nsf. (2022, August 22). Reliable and scientific tips for cleaning with vinegar. NSF. https://www.nsf.org/blog/consumer/reliable-scientific-tips-cleaning-with-vinegar
