~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
Wichita-area readers! Auntie Leila is speaking tonight at Newman University. Come say hi!
{pretty}
This is my view from the kitchen; I keep the lights off as long as I can to enjoy the last rays of sunlight heading over the trees.
{happy}
After-dinner chats with my baby girl.
My big boy taking the lead on dessert for his visiting grandparents.
I convinced them they don't always need boots and raincoats to play in the puddles.
{funny}
My kids love (love) mopping.
I don't know what I did to deserve this, but I am not complaining. (Except perhaps about how seldom my floors are actually clean, despite their enthusiasm…)
{real}
And this glamorous shot is the inside of my dryer after I removed the very large load of whites (of course), which included several favorite articles of clothing (naturally), more than one brand new baby outfit (sigh)… and a busted black pen.
My long-suffering husband scrubbed the dryer with rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover (result: it's still stained, but nothing more seems to be coming off. We've cautiously resumed our regularly scheduled drying schedule), and I am still hoping to salvage a few key items that got hit particularly badly.
So, feel free to hit me with your best ink stain-removing advice. (Sukie had this happen painfully recently, and says they had the most luck with rubbing alcohol: put an old towel underneath the stained clothing, rub, and pray.)
I and my spotted clothing are all ears!
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Laura says
Those photos of the evening sun are breathtaking! Such simple beauty!
I have to laugh at your dryer photos because I did the same thing this past weekend! What a coincidence! Misery loves company so I’m glad to know I’m not the only one. 😉 Sigh…
Rosie says
Sigh indeed. I’m so sorry to hear you’re in the same boat!
Lisarose says
When that happened here I had great results cleaning the dryer with a citrus spray cleaner (Citri-Solve or De-Solv-It). I can’t honestly remember if it worked on the clothes but it is my go-to cleaner for these kind of things. Best of luck!
Chere Mama says
The budding chef looks quite intent on that lemon! And your happy is happy indeed – can’t help laughing out loud when I see a giggling baby.
b says
We’ve had pretty good luck with soaking stained things in Oxiclean powder in the sink lately. If all else fails, attempting to dye the piece a darker color or turn it into tie-dye is what I’ve done.
Jeannie says
I second the Oxiclean! I just fill up a tub with hot water and oxiclean and let them soak overnight.
The little ones are adorable!! Those big wide toothless grins are the best!
Catherine says
Best ink-stain remover:
I feel like this only failed once, and can’t remember what the nature of that ink was, but almost without fail, use a cheap aerosol hairspray. Treat and let sit for a bit; when dry if you can still see some, try more.
Hope that gets the job done!
Blessings,
Catherine
Logan says
Hairspray– It works!
kristina b says
I’ve had some luck with the rubbing alcohol as well – I hope that works for you! I’m slightly jealous of your gorgeous kitchen view, tbh – it is such a blessing to have natural beauty right outside the window.
Rosie says
Thank you, it sure is – I think of it as what Lady Catherine would refer to as a “pretty sort of wilderness” out our back windows!
Patty says
real Simple msg stain removal guide says put glycerin on the spot then treat with detergent and very little water. Time to form suds and rinse. I’ve done with and it works but it sounds like a big project for you. Ugh.
Rosie says
Hmm, where does one find glycerin? I’m game to try!
Becky says
I’m almost certain I’ve seen at Walmart somewhere near the pharmacy. You may need to ask to find it.
Kris says
In the laxative aisle of the drug store. Pretty cheap, and also useful for making really good ho!emade bubble solution.
Laura Jeanne says
Oh dear Rosie, I’m so sorry about your dryer! That happened to my mom’s dryer before – a cheap blue pen exploded in somebody’s pocket – and I’m sorry to say that nothing we used, including rubbing alcohol, really got the stain off. The stain just sort of gradually wore off over a course of years. If I remember correctly though, the rubbing alcohol got enough of the ink off that it didn’t ruin any more clothes – I think. That was a lot of years ago.
Good luck! Cheap ink has to be the worst stain to get out, except for maybe cheap mustard!
ElizabethClare says
Oh, no! What a terrible mess in the dryer! I can’t imagine! Sounds like something that would happen to me!
Carolyn says
I’ve been able to get out Sharpie maker with Feltznaptha soap. I use an old toothbrush, wet it rub it on the soap and scrub the soap into the stain. Rinse it with water and spray with Shout and wash it in machine. Good luck!
Becky says
Soak the stain in milk! No kidding! The Queen Cleans Everything is an amazing stain removal resource – that’s where I got this tip. I was very skeptical when I dealt with a very similar situation ( brand new work clothes, whites, and a stray black pen)…but it worked perfectly. She didn’t specify what type of milk in her book, but I used whole milk, and filled several small cups, then submerged the stained areas. I can’t remember how long…maybe a few hours before the stains disappeared completely? Anyway, definitely worth a try! Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
Elisabeth says
Wait, milk really works?
I was just reading a 19th century novel that gave the same advice. (And really, it’s so delightfully prescient of online conversations, you really should check it out: Wired Love by Ella Cheever Thayer). In this scene, a young telegraph operator is being distracted from her conversation “on the line” by an over-inquisitive onlooker:
“…turning quickly around to scowl this persevering questioner into silence, Nattie’s elbow hit and knocked over the inkstand, its contents pouring over her hands, dress, the desk and floor, and proving beyond a doubt, as it descended, the truth of its label—
‘Superior Black Ink!’
And then, save for the clatter of the ‘sounder,’ there was silence.
For a moment Nattie gazed blankly at her besmeared hands and ruined dress, at the ‘sounder,’ and at the owner of the nose, who returned her look with that expression of serene amusement often noticeable in those who contemplate from afar the mishaps of their fellow beings; then with the courage of despair, she for the fourth time ‘broke’ ‘X n,’ saying, with inky impression on the instrument,
‘Excuse me, but you will have to wait! I am all ink, and I am being cross-examined!’
Having thus delivered herself, she turned a deliberately deaf ear to ‘X n’s’ response, which, judging from the way the movable portion of the ‘sounder’ danced, was emphatic.
‘A little new milk will take that out!’ complacently said the owner of the nose, watching Nattie’s efforts to remove the ink from her dress with blotting-paper.
‘Unfortunately I do not keep a cow here!’ Nattie replied, tartly.”
Beth says
I’ve been able to get pen stains out with hairspray. It really works! However, I’ve always done it before the item was in the dryer, so I’m not sure how it would work after you’ve already dried it. But it couldn’t hurt to give it a try. Good luck!
Rosie says
Yes, unfortunately everything has been quite thoroughly dried. Bother. But I have hairspray, so may as well give it a shot, right?
Becky says
Careful! Some hairspray leaves an oil stain!
Katie says
Alas, that ink-stained dryer is a familiar sight to me, too. My husband’s workplace is impervious to requests for reputable brand-name office supplies, so we’ve learned (the hard way) to be on the lookout for cheapo pens in his pockets. I agree with you and others that rubbing alcohol– plus time– was the most effective. It’s been about a year now since the last big pen incident, and the only real stain left on my dryer is actually on top, where I presume the offending implement was flung in disgust once discovered, and seeped out its remaining ink in a puddle. Hilariously, it ignites the toddler’s righteous indignation when she sits up there to help me put in clothes– “mama, can we wipe this spot OFF??” I’ve given it a go with more rubbing alcohol a few more times since. I suspect that with a couple more rubs, and a bit more time, it may fade altogether. (And score, there seem to be more ideas floating around in the comments here that could help!)
Katie says
Meant to say, too, that the ink marks on the dryer didn’t seem to affect subsequent loads. Once we’d done a good rubbing-alcohol wipedown, it seemed fine inside. Of course I first washed beach towels and blankets and such to be sure, but no adverse affects on the next load of “real” clothes. And Oxi-Clean did help with the tinier/spattery ink stains, but the bigger spots have remained. We had to sacrifice a few choice garments to the household-grunt-work category because of their wonky stains.
Rebekka says
I’ve heard the milk thing before but never had the opportunity to try it. In general my go-to stain removal routine is to scrub with ox gall soap and then soak in oxygen bleach water. If necessary a few rounds – so I always check before I tumble things, so it doesn’t set. Good luck. 😉
Erin says
Ink stains in fabric come out when sprayed with hair spray, the sooner the better. I also sprayed my kitchen table (cheap wood from Ikea that has been defaced many times, so I had little to lose) when my daughter drew on it with pen and it worked! It did not work on older ink marks on the table. Good luck!
Tori says
Alcohol seems to be the go-to for ink, but I think it’s most effective when the stain is still very fresh and wet. Let us know if you have more success with anything else! Oh,and do you have a steam mop? How do you like it?
Rosie says
Yes! After threatening to for years and then finally having to deal with a few big messes in a row, I got myself this one.
My whole house is tile and laminate, so I use the heavy steam setting on the tile (ugh, why would you install textured tile in the kitchen? Why?) and the light one on the laminate, and I am very happy with it. The water heats up quickly, it’s easy to use, and most importantly, it gets my floors very nice and clean with remarkably little effort on my part.
Jennie Cooper says
Aahhh!! The black pens! I’ve had this happen countless times, when my husband one of those stupid Army Skilcraft pens (made by the blind!) in his pen pocket! I have no advice, just shared frustration, and perhaps some long buried anger for those blind people and their shoddy workmanship.
Theresa says
Respectfully: I hope you will reconsider your “long buried anger for those blind people and their shoddy workmanship”. I think anyone with Low Vision (a more broad based term for those who have vision issues) would be upset to know their hard work was not appreciated. (A statistic from the National Federation for the Blind: 31.2% of those who are blind live below the poverty line). Prayers needed!
Cristina says
My husband once got blue ink (that had exploded from a pen that had been in his pocket when it went through the laundry on his first ship) out of his DRESS WHITES using a combination of oxyclean powder and Shout that he made into a paste, rubbed into the spot, and let sit overnight before washing it again. I thought for sure they were ruined and we were going to have to get a whole new dress uniform but he proved me wrong 🙂
Rosie says
Oh my goodness! That’s a nightmare – those uniforms are no joke! I’m so glad it came out!
Maurisa says
Your kids are so cute! I have a couple that really love mopping too. Yay for me! I can’t tell you how many times we have had ruined whites because of stray markers, crayons, and ink pens. It must be a right of passage.
Kristi says
Another vote for hairspray. And what a scrumptious baby! Impressed as well by the little chef and floor cleaner! My 6 yo daughter aspires to be a ballerina, farmer and a maid 🙂
Cassidy says
As a last resort – try Cascade Dishwasher Fluid. It’s worked on a couple wretched stains I’ve had to deal with.
Elena says
I’m canadian so I hope you have this product. I find that Resolve stain remover works on absolutely everything without fail. It is not a spray bottle, it is an hour-glass shaped bottle with two compartments. One side is pink and the other clear/white. When they combine on the fabric they form a foam. I have removed ten-year old stains that have been washed and dried a ton of times. It doesn’t work on magic marker but I think it works on ink. Worth a try, in any case.
Kathia says
You could try a Jacobean remedy! But instead of notching the branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees just leave them whole and throw them in the wash with your spotted clothes.
Or quote that famous line from Macbeth as you try some of the more reliable options in the comments above.
Good luck! 🙂
Jacklyn H says
So sorry about the dryer! I’ve had that happen and had some luck with orange and lemon essential oil, both on the clothes and on the dryer. I used it neat and waited a bit and then dabbed with an old cloth (with the clothes I had another old cloth underneath the area where I was dabbing). Hope this helps!
Paula says
we had a black crayon in the dryer when my 23 yr old was in 1st grade…rit dye remover worked on some of the whites…take a chance of course..boiling water on the stove–not too boiling or it can explode…read directions…and cook those clothes. If all else fails?
Paula says
old one..hairspray on ink for removal!
Jennifer says
This reminds me of the time that my then four year old hid a Hershey kiss in his pocket which I didn’t discover until after his shorts and my brand new maternity clothes had gone through the dryer. I rescued some of them, and will laugh about it now, but it was overwhelming when it happened. Hope the stains come out.
Jen says
Help! In the past I had great luck w hairspray but my kids used a newer…maybe gel roller?…pen all over white sheets and most recently dry erase marker on their clothes and nothing has worked. I have tried hairspray, hand sanitizer, murphys oil soap, nail polish remover, 409 spray for good measure, shout spray…nothing. Help anyone!
Lucy says
Eleanor is getting really cute!
Margo, Thrift at Home says
oy, I feel your pain!!! I washed a light yellow rug with a load of light colored things and it stained them all!! Of course there was an adorable white baby dress in there. I have so far tried oxyclean and bleach (separately of course). No dice. I might have to live with a cream colored dress (I might also send it off to the thrift store with my hand flung over my eyes)
Donna L. says
I see so many helpful comments…maybe one more that I didn’t see~
Equal parts Hydrogen Peroxide and Dawn dishwashing soap–shaken together in a squeeze bottle and applied directly to stain. Rub two soaked pieces of fabric together to make certain they are covered…let sit for several hours or overnight then wash in the hottest water possible for the fabric…I have been able to remove–or mostly remove lots of stains with this—
Best of luck to you!
Lucy says
For the appliances, I would try deet – bug spray. The higher concentration the better. It will take the ink off just about anything.
Mary Lou says
Just bringing up the rear here …. there IS something for those stained whites! It’s called White Brite Laundry Whitener and Wal-Mart carries it. If you take all your whites and soak them over night (it gives a tough stain preparation on the bottle), you will have ‘like new’ clothes. Many people, for some reason, don’t know about this one … Boy when you ask one question dear LMLD, you certainly get load of advice! Is this a mothering thing? Best wishes!!
Mary Lou says
P.S. Many years ago I had a little one get her hands on a bottle of Rust-Out that one of our older children was using to clean the bathroom. She was about two and we had no way of knowing if she had ingested any of it. We called poison control and they sent a complicated antidote directly to the ER. They and we were trying to prepare for the worst. As it turned out, thanks be to God, she was alright. After that, every bottle that was caustic left the house, so I think White Bright would certainly count as one of these. Sometimes the best way to ‘childproof’ is to not have it in the house and live with stains rather than danger. Gradually I did let a few things back in that I needed and kept them in the highest cupboard we have, I can’t reach it myself. Please just forget about White Brite until your youngest is 12 …… !
KJ says
Vodka! Works like a charm. Let the stain soak for an hour – you can see it dissolve then wash normally. We have removed ink from a suave chair as well. Worth a try perhaps
Genevieve says
My best ink stain removing truck had been to saturate the stain (towel-backed) with the cheapest aerosol hairspray you can find (I used white rain last). It’s probably the alcohol content, but it does a decent job.
Woman of the House says
I love the Michelin-man look the baby has going! So sweet! And so are your little puddle-jumper and chef! 🙂
Amy and Amanda says
My husband proposed using 2 Vermont Teddy Bears one in a wedding gown and one in a tux. My beautiful wonderful daughter covered the wedding dress with a black ink pen. After several tries I bought a bottle of Carbona stain remover for ink and crayon at Joann Fabrics and it took it all out. This was 14 years ago and my daughter is now 16 and hates it when I tell this story.
Mary Pearson says
For the ink in the clothes, you might try Carbona Stain Devils for Crayon & Ink. Usually in the laundry section at the store.