We are continuing series about dry clean and laundry myths that keep circulating among us. Here is another myth that is one of the most enduring ones.
Myth #2: Use Hairspray to Remove Ink
Few stains are more problematic than ink stains on clothes, carpets, or other fabric surfaces. A pen slipped into a shirt pocket can ruin the shirt.
Various types of ink have ingredients with chemical properties that are fairly unique. Most inks contain a mixture of pigments, dyes, solvents, and lubricants that in combination make them very difficult to remove. Almost everyone has experienced the difficult problem of removing ink stains.
One of the most enduring laundry myths about ink stains is that you can remove them with hair spray.
There is no harm in trying hairspray on an ink stain, however, you need to be prepared that there will not be much use either.
The idea of using hairspray to remove ink from laundry began in the 1950s. At the time it was actually valid advice. However, it was not the hairspray itself, but the alcohol in hairspray that worked on the ink stains.
Today’s hairsprays are different from those in the past – they do not contain alcohol, and can actually cause stains to become more persistent, making the problem of the ink stain on your favorite item event worse.
If you are determined to use a hairspray to remove the ink stain, there are several things to take into account. First, look for a hairspray product that mentions alcohol among its ingredients. Often, this will be the cheapest hairspray products. Hairspray or other forms of alcohol are most likely to work on polyester or polyester blends.
The same process will work even better with pure alcohol – much better than hairspray. Stains that resist both hairspray and rubbing alcohol may respond to denatured alcohol, but you must be careful—some fabrics may lose their color when alcohol is applied. If hairspray doesn’t help, you have to use another method that may be more successful at removing ink stains.
We have better advice on these types of stain situations. We have the experts who can do the job better. Give your item to us to treat it properly. In fact, you don’t even need to bring it to us. Just order pick up and delivery and we will return your item clean and fresh with all the stains removed.
To be continued…
