Sharpie does come out of clothes. However, this will depend on the type of material your clothing is made out of and how much ink you put on it. Sharpie creates permanent fabric marks and stains. As such, they are not recommended to be used on most fabrics as they will not be able to be cleaned afterward. However, there are some methods that can help make Sharpie come out of your clothes more easily.
Does Sharpie Come Out Of Clothes?
Yes and no. Sharpie is notoriously difficult to remove from clothing. It’s best to avoid washing sharpie-printed clothing until you are sure the ink has set. Additionally, it is best to hand wash sharpie-printed clothing in cold water and gentle detergent to avoid damaging the fabric. If possible, test a small area of the garment first to ensure there is no bleeding or staining before washing the entire piece.
How To Get Sharpie Out Of Clothes?
Try Alcohol
The best and easiest solution for removing Sharpie from your clothing is alcohol. Alcohol is an effective solvent for many types of dyes. It is best to use isopropyl alcohol, because it evaporates quickly, which is important when you need to wash the clothing soon after removing the marker. You can use rubbing alcohol, but it is a bit more expensive. You can also use ethyl alcohol, which is a bit cheaper. You can try a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water to make it less expensive. You can try using a paper towel or soft rag to rub the alcohol on the marker stains. Make sure you rub it in a direction from the outside to the inside of the stain to avoid spreading the stain. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and then wash the clothing.
Use Bleach
If alcohol does not remove Sharpie from the clothing, try using bleach. Bleach is an excellent solvent for many dyes. Try mixing water and bleach in a 1:1 ratio for best results. You can also mix it with alcohol for better results. Make sure you mix it properly and leave the garment soaked in the solution for a few minutes. The more you leave it in the solution, the better the results are. After the stain is removed, wash the clothing in water to remove the bleach.
Try baking soda and vinegar
This is an old-fashioned trick, but it works like a charm and is great for removing marker stains. First, pour baking soda on the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes and then pour white vinegar on the stain. Let it sit for a few more minutes and then wash the clothing. This process should remove the stain completely.
Try dry cleaning solvent
If the stain is old, you might not be able to remove it with common methods. In such cases, try using a dry cleaning solvent. You can also try using a solvent specifically for removing marker stains. Make sure you read the instructions carefully before using the solvent to avoid damaging the clothing. Follow all the instructions and let the clothing dry before wearing it.
Try a commercial detergent
Commercial detergents are very efficient at removing stains. Make sure you choose a detergent that is designed for removing stains. Pour the detergent on the stain, rub it and let it sit for a few minutes before washing the clothing.
How To Clean Sharpie Out Of Clothes
- If some of the Sharpie has already dried, you will want to soak the garment overnight in warm water with a gentle laundry detergent added.
- Make sure that you wring out as much water as possible before putting the garment in the dryer on a low heat setting.
- You can also use a clothing steamer to remove the Sharpie from your clothes. If the garment has recently been stained with Sharpie, you can use a liquid laundry detergent mixed with hot water to scrub out the stain.
- Be careful not to scrub too hard as you do not want to damage the fabric.
How To Prevent Your Sharpie From Coming Out Of Clothes?
Markers That Don’t Come Out
The most obvious solution to preventing your Sharpie from coming out of clothes is to use markers that don’t come out. If you are looking for this type of pen, you can go to any art supplies store and brand-new Sharpie markers are around $3 each. If you are shopping online, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can get markers that are specially formulated to be non-removable. These markers are a bit more expensive, and they are geared toward kids and artists who want to draw on things that won’t come off.
Dryer Sheets
There are a lot of old wives’ tales and myths about preventing your Sharpie from coming out of clothes. For example, you’ve probably heard that you can prevent your Sharpie from coming out of clothes by putting a piece of tape on the ink. However, there is actually one thing that will actually work. That is dryer sheets. Simply put a dryer sheet in with your clothes and it will absorb the black Sharpie ink before it has a chance to settle on your clothes. However, if you use dryer sheets excessively, you should be aware that they leave behind a residual scent on your clothes. If your clothes smell like a dryer sheet, you can neutralize the smell by putting them through an extra spin cycle without the dryer sheet.
Spray Something Smelly
Another “don’t-try-this-at-home” trick is to spray something that is really pungent on your clothes before you put them in the dryer. The smell will overpower the smell of the black Sharpie and prevent it from coming out of your clothes. We don’t recommend trying this on expensive or formal attire. The smell may not go away, and you may have to throw the clothes away. However, if you have a few cheap t-shirts lying around that you don’t mind ruining, this trick might work for you.
Double-Drying Time
Since heat is one of the main reasons that your Sharpie comes out of clothes, the best way to prevent this from happening is to use cold water when you do your laundry. Keep in mind that this only works for washing your clothes. You’ll still have to use warm water when drying your clothes in the dryer. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also throw a couple of tennis balls in the dryer with your clothes. The tennis balls will act as a barrier to keep the clothes from rubbing against each other and transferring the ink from one item to another.
Protect Your Clothes With A Lint Roller
If you want to be extra careful and prevent your Sharpie from coming out of your clothes completely, you can do one last thing. You can put a lint roller in your dryer with your clothes. The lint roller will pick up any loose fuzz or lint that might settle on your clothes as they tumble through the dryer. This will prevent any loose fuzz from attaching to your clothes and absorbing the Sharpie ink. You can find lint rollers in most stores and online. The amount of money you spend will depend on the brand and the features that it offers.
Conclusion
Sharpie is a fantastic tool to have around the house or office, but it can be challenging to remove it from fabrics once it has been applied. There are a few methods you can try to get Sharpie out of clothes, but what works best will depend on the type of fabric your garment is made out of. Make sure you check the tag to see what it can withstand before attempting to clean your clothes with any chemicals. There are also a few other methods that can help make Sharpie come out of clothes.
