How to get highlighter out of clothes

Imagine you’re franticly preparing for an important meeting or presentation, surrounded by notes and highlighters to bring your points to life. Just as you reach for that bright yellow highlighter, disaster strikes–a slip of the hand, and now your favorite shirt is marred with vibrant streaks. Panic sets in as you consider the historical permanence of such spills, but the good news is there are effective methods to rescue your wardrobe. You’re not alone in this battle against ink, and in today’s post, we’ll tackle how to remove highlighter stains efficiently.

To get highlighter out of clothes, first, act quickly by placing a paper towel beneath the stained area. Blot the stain gently with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, using a cotton ball or cloth. Rinse the fabric with cold water and then launder it as per the care label instructions. Repeat the process if necessary until the stain is gone.

To effectively remove a highlighter stain from clothing, start by addressing the stain as soon as possible. The longer the stain sits, the harder it becomes to remove. First, place a paper towel or a clean white cloth under the stained area to absorb any excess ink. Next, take some rubbing alcohol or a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol and apply it to a cotton ball or a clean cloth. Gently blot–not rub–the stain to lift as much of the highlighter ink as possible. Avoid scrubbing, as this can spread the ink further and embed it deeper into the fabric fibers. It’s wise to frequently switch to a clean part of the cloth to prevent reapplying the ink back onto the fabric.

Once you’ve adequately blotted the area and the stain appears to have lifted, rinse the fabric thoroughly under cold water to flush out any remaining highlighter and alcohol. After rinsing, check to see if the stain persists. If it’s still apparent, you can repeat the blotting and rinsing process. When you’re satisfied with the results, launder the garment according to the care instructions on its label.

Be sure to air dry the item rather than putting it in a dryer, as heat can set any remaining stain, making it nearly impossible to remove. If the stain remains even after washing, avoid drying the garment and repeat the blotting method or seek professional cleaning assistance.