Does hairspray remove ink?

It used to work better when hairsprays contained more alcohol. Modern formulas have less alcohol and more polymers. Use rubbing alcohol directly.

How do you remove permanent marker from clothes?

Acetone (nail polish remover) works on many fabrics. Test on a hidden area first -- acetone can damage some synthetic materials.

Professional dry cleaners have stronger solvents and often succeed where home methods fail. Worth trying for valuable garments.

Rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or nail polish remover. Wash with soap and water afterward.

Stain Removal

Stain removal is all about speed and technique. Here's the proven method for tackling ink stains effectively.

1
Place fabric on paper towels
Put paper towels underneath the stain to absorb the ink as it releases. The ink needs somewhere to go other than the fabric.
2
Apply rubbing alcohol
Saturate the ink stain with rubbing alcohol. The alcohol dissolves ballpoint ink. Blot with a clean white cloth -- don't rub.
3
Blot repeatedly
Blot the stain with a fresh section of the cloth each time. Move the paper towels underneath as they absorb ink. Repeat until no more ink transfers.
4
Wash normally
Wash with Power Wash Laundry Detergent on the warmest setting safe for the fabric. Check the stain before drying.

TIPRubbing alcohol is the most effective solvent for ballpoint ink. Hairspray works as a backup because it contains alcohol.
TIPPlace a towel under the stain to absorb dissolved ink, otherwise it transfers to the other side of the garment.
TIPAct fast -- fresh ink stains are much easier to remove than dried ones.

XRubbing the stain, which spreads the ink to a larger area and pushes it deeper into fibers.
XUsing hot water before the ink is fully removed, which can set remaining ink permanently.
XTrying to remove permanent marker with the same method -- permanent ink requires acetone, not alcohol.

Yes, it's the most effective household solvent for ballpoint pen ink. Apply, blot, repeat until the ink stops transferring.