The Unexpected Combination That'll Help You With Ink Stains

Even in this digital age, there's still lots to love about pen and paper. Ink stains, however, are an occasional side effect. Not to worry. You can actually get rid of those pesky stains using common household items. Thanks to the wonders of chemistry, milk and vinegar are all you need to remove ink stains from fabric. 

Basically, you'll start with a milk soak, then finish the treatment with vinegar. By soaking ink stains in milk, you allow the enzymes in milk to break down the ink in the fabric. Afterward, the acidic vinegar chemically charges the ink, so it's drawn to water — and out of your clothes. However, you don't need to grasp the chemistry to get results from this hack.

Of course, not all ink is created equal. You'll have better luck with water-based ink than with permanent ink. Still, no matter how bad the stain, this easy method is worth a try before you give up on your garments. 

Start by putting some milk in a bowl and soaking the stained fabric in it overnight. If the item's especially delicate, you may want to do a patch test with milk first, to ensure it won't get damaged.

On its own, this should be enough to remove some ink stains. However, for a stubborn stain, consider mixing a little vinegar with the milk for added stain-removing power.  

After you've soaked the item, scrub the stain with vinegar using a circular motion (while being careful not to let the remaining ink spread). You should see the stain starting to lift.

Next, wash your stained stuff in the hottest temperature it can handle, as the hot water will further help lift the stain. Don't put it in the dryer yet, though: check that the stain is gone first, since dryers can set in stains. If you still see a bit of ink, repeat the process until it's gone.