Sometimes when you get a tattoo, you can spill ink on your clothes. It is very hard to get tattoo ink out of fabric. This is especially true for tattoo ink. But through a series of appropriate cleaning methods, you can clean these stains to the greatest extent. In this blog, we will introduce the relevant knowledge about tattoo ink and the entire process of removing stains.
Table of Contents:
- What’s the Difference Between Tattoo Ink and Ordinary Ink
- What Factors Will Affect the Effectiveness of Tattoo Ink Removal
-
How to Get Tattoo Ink Out of Clothes
1. Using Laundry Detergent
2. Using Dish Soap and Baking Soda
3. Using Lemon Juice and Salt
4. Using Diaper Cleaning Powder
5. Using Acetone/Nail Polish Remover
6. Using Rubbing Alcohol
7. Using Hairspray
8. Using Hydrogen Peroxide - How to Care for Clothes after Tattoo Ink Stain Removal
- How to Prevent Tattoo Ink from Getting on Clothes
What’s the Difference Between Tattoo Ink and Ordinary Ink
In fact, tattoo ink differs significantly from the ordinary inks(such as fountain pen ink or printer ink). This distinction also dictates that the methods for removing them are slightly different. The specific differences between tattoo ink and ordinary ink are as follows:
1. Different Ingredients
- Tattoo Ink: Primarily applied to the human body, tattoo ink is biocompatible. Therefore, its main components are safe pigments and mild solvents (such as glycerin and propylene glycol).
- Ordinary Ink: Ordinary ink contains resin-based binders to adhere pigments to fibers. Some ordinary ink also include preservatives.
2. Different Persistence
- Tattoo ink: Designed for long-term retention in the body, tattoo ink fades only minimally over time.
- Ordinary ink: Ordinary ink fades or washes away when exposed to air and sunlight, offering significantly less longevity than tattoo ink.
3. Different Security
- Tattoo Ink: Tattoo ink emphasizes biocompatibility and is generally harmless to the human body, though risks of allergic reactions or inflammation still exist.
- Ordinary ink: Ordinary ink is not suitable for touching the deep tissue of the human body. If it enters the skin, it may cause an allergy, inflammation and even poisoning.
What Factors Will Affect the Effectiveness of Tattoo Ink Removal
1. Ink Type: There are two main types of tattoo ink: water-based and oil-based. Water-based ink uses water as a solvent. But oil-based ink uses oil-soluble resins. These are harder to dissolve in water. So, water-based ink is easier to remove than oil-based ink.
2. Fabric Type: Natural fibers (e.g., cotton, wool) feature uneven surfaces with gaps, allowing ink to penetrate deeper into the fibers. Synthetic fibers (e.g., nylon, polyester) have a dense structure and smooth surface. Consequently, tattoo ink on synthetic fibers is more readily removed through friction and washing.
3. The Time When the Removal Begins: It is best to remove the tattoo ink within two hours after it gets on the clothes, as the ink has not yet fully penetrated into the fibers. In fact, the longer the time, the worse the removal effect will be and the more effort you will have to put in.
4. Ambient Temperature: Ambient temperature alters ink’s physical state, affecting removal efficacy. High temperatures accelerate drying and curing, enabling the binder to bond more quickly with fibers. Low temperatures slow ink penetration, prolonging the uncured state. Consequently, ink stains incurred in winter are easier to remove than those in summer (provided treatment occurs within two hours of ink contact).
How to Get Tattoo Ink Out of Clothes
We will offer several methods for getting tattoo ink out of clothes. You can choose one or several methods according to your needs. Please note that if you are not sure which method to choose, you can first conduct a removal test on inconspicuous stains.
1. Using Laundry Detergent
For fresh tattoo ink, you can remove it by using laundry detergent.
- Mix one tablespoon of laundry detergent with 2 liters of lukewarm water. Let the stained area stand for about 10 minutes.
- Only immerse in the stained areas, as this can minimize the risk of ink flowing to other places.
- Rinse the stained areas with warm water and rub them by hand. To prevent tattoo ink from getting on your hands, you can wear rubber gloves when operating.
- Repeat the above steps until the stain is removed.
2. Using Dish Soap and Baking Soda
Dish soap and baking soda can reduce the adhesion of ink. The combination of the two can further reduce ink residue and make the removal effect more obvious.
- Mix dish soap and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio to make a paste.
- Put the paste on the stain. Then, gently scrub it with a soft brush.
- Next, let the paste sit on the stain for about 30 minutes.
- After that, rinse the clothes with cold water to wash off the paste.
- If the stain is still there, do these steps again until it is gone.
3. Using Lemon Juice and Salt
Lemon juice has citric acid. This acid can soften the sticky part of tattoo ink. This works best on water-based inks. Also, salt is a gentle scrub. It helps rub off the loose ink from the fabric. When you use them together, they work better to clean new tattoo ink.
- Mix fresh lemon juice and salt. Use two parts juice to one part salt. Stir it until it is like a paste.
- Put the mix right on the tattoo stain. Then, rub it gently for one to two minutes.
- After standing for 5 to 10 minutes, wash it normally with warm water.
4. Using Diaper Cleaning Powder
Diaper cleaning powder usually contains ingredients such as surfactants, bleaches and enzymes. They can make water more easily penetrate the fabric fibers, emulsify the oil components in ink stains, and thus separate the ink from the fabric fibers. When using this method, you need to test on inconspicuous stains to prevent the bleaching components in the cleaning powder from damaging the clothes.
- Gently rinse the tattoo ink stains on the clothes with cold water.
- Take an appropriate amount of diaper cleaning powder and sprinkle it directly on the wet stains.
- Gently rub the stains with a soft brush to ensure the powder fully covers and penetrates the stain.
- Let it stand for 15 to 20 minutes to allow the cleaning powder to fully decompose the binder and pigment in the ink.
- Wash it normally with warm water.
5. Using Acetone/Nail Polish Remover
Acetone/nail polish remover can dissolve the adhesive in the ink, allowing the ink to separate from the fabric.
- You need to dab the stained areas with acetone/nail polish remover.
- Wait a moment for the liquid to saturate the areas.
- Scrub the stained areas with a coarse sponge or brush.
- Rinse the stained areas with cold water to remove acetone or nail polish remover.
- Repeat the above process until the stain completely disappears.
6. Using Rubbing Alcohol
Alcohol can soften the organic binder in ink and help remove tattoo ink from clothes.
- Gently rinse the stained areas of the clothes with cold water.
- Pour medical alcohol (75% concentration is appropriate) onto a clean cotton swab or gauze. Soak it thoroughly and then gently wipe the stained areas.
- Let it stand for 3 to 5 minutes to allow the alcohol to fully penetrate the stains. If the stains are stubborn, they can be wiped repeatedly 1 to 2 times.
- Scrub the stains with warm water.
H3: 7. Using Hairspray
Hairspray has a great effect on removing fresh water-based tattoo ink. Most hairsprays contain alcohol and film-forming agents. They can soften the adhesive in the ink and adsorb some of the uncured ink particles.
- Gently rinse the tattoo ink stains on the clothes with cold water.
- Spray the hairspray evenly over the tattoo ink stains to make sure the stains are completely covered.
- Let it stand for 10-15 minutes to allow the hairspray to fully soften the ink.
- Gently rub the stains with a soft brush.
- Rinse the stained areas with warm water.
8. Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has bleaching properties. And it can also help remove tattoo ink from clothes. When using this method, you also need to test on inconspicuous stains
- Use a tissue to absorb the tattoo ink stains.
- Wet the gauze with hydrogen peroxide solution and cover the stained areas with the gauze.
- Let it stand for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the hydrogen peroxide solution to fully penetrate the stains.
- Remove the gauze. Then wipe the stained areas with a clean cloth.
- After removing the stains, carry out normal washing.
How to Care for Clothes after Tattoo Ink Stain Removal
After removing the tattoo ink, appropriate care measures are indispensable. This can make your clothes look better.
1. If chemical reagents are used in the process of removing tattoo ink, you must rinse the stained area several times. It is best to rinse the stained area repeatedly with warm water 2 to 3 times. This can ensure no reagent residue, thereby preventing possible problems such as fabric hardening and fading.
2. The drying method for clothes needs to be determined according to the fabric. Natural fibers should be protected from direct sunlight. You can leave them in a cool place to air dry naturally. Synthetic fibers, on the other hand, can be dried in a dryer at low temperatures or air-dried according to the label on the inner side of the clothes.
3. If there is still light-colored ink residue after drying, it is recommended to soak it in warm water for 10 minutes, then gently rub it with neutral laundry detergent. You can repeat this process 1-2 times as needed.
How to Prevent Tattoo Ink from Getting on Clothes
During the tattooing process and the recovery period, you can take appropriate measures to prevent tattoo ink from getting on your clothes. Appropriate prevention can save you a lot of time and energy.
1. During the Tattooing Process:
- Wear dark-colored clothes or old clothes.
- Fix the clothes on the tattooed area with rubber bands or clips to reduce the possibility of the clothes getting stained with ink.
- Lay a waterproof cloth (such as a plastic wrap, disposable tablecloth, etc.) on the clothes near the tattoo area. This can prevent ink from dripping onto the clothes when drawing.
2. During the Recovery Period:
- Wear dark-colored clothes or old clothes.
- Wear soft clothes, such as cotton, to avoid rubbing the tattoo and transferring ink to your clothes.
- If you need to go out, you can apply a breathable and sterile dressing to the tattooed area to prevent it from sticking to your clothes. Be careful to change the dressing daily according to the instructions.
- Wash the clothes that have touched the tattoo area separately to prevent the small amount of ink remaining on the clothes from contaminating other clothes.
Conclusion
If the relevant operation is carried out within two hours after the clothes are stained with ink, there is a high probability that the tattoo ink can be removed through natural objects(such as lemon juice, salt, etc.). Even after this period, you can still try to remove it using chemical reagents(such as diaper cleaning powder, acetone, etc.). No matter which method you choose, you can perform the removal test first and take care of the fabric after removing the stains.
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