As healthcare workers, we always have to have a pen ready - who knows when you’re going to need to jot something down! But carrying pens sometimes leads to the dreaded ink leak, which (unless you’re wearing galaxy blue scrubs!) often causes embarrassing, ugly stains.
Ink stains can ruin your favorite pair of scrubs if you don’t know how to get ink out of scrubs properly. In this guide, we’ll show you how to remove pen ink from scrubs in a way that won’t leave stains or residual marks - your scrubs will be as good as new!
Sometimes, though, the ink penetrates too deeply into the fibers to ever be properly removed. Rather than spending hours trying to blot out the ink, you’re usually better off cutting your losses and investing in new luxury scrubs. You’ll find the most comfortable ones here at Poppy Scrubs!
How to Get Pen Ink Out of Scrubs After Drying: The Most Effective Methods for Ink Removal
So, you were unlucky enough to grab a leaky pen and it left an ugly ink stain all over your scrubs pocket. Now what? Once the initial frustration wears off, it’s time to think about how to get ink out of scrubs. Here’s what you need to know.
Immediate Actions to Take
The crazy nature of healthcare work means that you can’t always stop what you’re doing and deal with an ink stain right away, but if you can, there are a few initial things you can do that will help.
The first step in how to remove pen ink from scrubs is to avoid rubbing it, as it can spread the ink further into the fabric. Instead, blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb as much as possible. The sooner you start treating the stain, the better the chances of complete removal.
Home Remedies to Try
Chances are, you won’t have time to deal with your ink stain at work. Once you take the initial steps of blotting the ink, you can take your scrubs home for further treatment. Here’s how to get ink out of scrubs with common home remedies.
Dish Soap
Mix a small amount of dish soap with warm water and apply it directly to the stained area. Gently blot the stain using a clean cloth, working from the outside toward the center to avoid spreading. Dish soap is effective at breaking down the oils in pen ink.
Vinegar and Water
Depending on your scrubs colors, white vinegar is a versatile stain remover. Combine equal parts vinegar and water, and soak the stained area for about 30 minutes. After soaking, blot with a cloth and rinse with cold water. The acidity of vinegar helps dissolve ink particles.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful stain remover, especially for light-colors like ceil blue scrubs or charcoal grey scrubs. Apply a small amount to the ink stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then blot with a damp cloth. Be cautious when using hydrogen peroxide, as it can bleach certain fabrics.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is one of the most effective solutions for ink stains. Dab a cotton ball or cloth with rubbing alcohol and blot the stain. The alcohol helps dissolve the ink, making it easier to lift from the fabric. Rinse the area with cold water after blotting.
Baking Soda and Water
Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water, then gently rub it onto the ink stain. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing. Baking soda acts as a mild abrasive, helping to lift the ink without damaging the fabric, even for soft scrubs or waterproof scrubs.
Hairspray
Hairspray with a high alcohol content can also break down ink stains. Spray the affected area, let it sit for a minute, then blot with a clean cloth. This method works similarly to rubbing alcohol and is great for quick fixes on the go - you can even keep some at work for emergencies!
Glycerin
Glycerin is a gentle and effective option for ink removal. If you’re wondering how to get ink out of scrubs with glycerin, apply a small amount to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then blot with a damp cloth. Glycerin helps break down the ink without harsh chemicals.
Commercial Cleaners
If home remedies aren’t getting the job done and your core scrubs still have an ugly ink stain, you might need to try something with more cleaning power. Products like OxiClean or Shout can be highly effective for stubborn stains.
Make sure you follow the instructions on the cleaner, and if you’re not sure whether it’s safe to use on your fashionable scrubs, you can spot-test a small, inconspicuous area first before you start treating the stain.
Professional Laundering
If the ink stain is particularly stubborn, you may need to take your scrubs to a professional laundry service that knows how to get pen ink out of scrubs. Dry cleaners have access to industrial-strength cleaning solutions that can often remove even the toughest stains without damaging the fabric.
Blot, Don’t Rub!
Throughout the stain removal process, remember the golden rule: blot the ink, don’t rub it! Rubbing can cause the ink to spread and sink deeper into the fibers of your scrubs, making the stain harder to remove. Blotting lifts the ink without damaging the fabric or worsening the stain.
What if You Can’t Get the Ink Out of Your Scrubs?
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the ink stain is just too stubborn and can’t be removed from your scrubs. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t worry! You still have options to maintain a professional, ink-free appearance. Here’s what to do when ink stains just won’t come out.
Covering Up the Stain
If the ink stain is in a small, inconspicuous area, you might be able to cover it up instead of replacing your scrubs. If the stain is located in an area like a pocket or seam, you can add a patch or badge over it. Many healthcare workers use custom embroidered patches with their name, department, or facility logo.
For darker-colored scrubs like burgundy scrubs or surgical green scrubs, using fabric dye might be an option to cover up the ink stain. Choose a dye that matches the original color of your scrubs, and apply it over the entire garment for an even look. Make sure you understand how to wash scrubs after dying them.
Depending on the types of scrubs you’re wearing, you can think about how to wear scrubs fashionably and also cover up the stain with another item of clothing. If you’re wearing jogger scrubs or fitted scrubs, you might be able to add a jacket, especially in the cooler months.
When to Get New Scrubs
If the ink stain is large, in a prominent area, or if multiple attempts to remove it have failed, it may be time to replace your scrubs. And, if repeated cleaning attempts have caused fabric damage to your stretchy scrubs, fading, or discoloration, it’s a sign that your scrubs are past their prime.
Maintaining a clean, professional look is important in healthcare and other industries where scrubs are worn. Are jogger scrubs unprofessional if they have an ink stain on them? Often, yes. If you’re asking yourself this, it’s likely time to retire your stained scrubs.
Whether or not you need new scrubs also depends on how conspicuous the stain is. Darker colors like black scrubs , eggplant scrubs, grape scrubs, or purple scrubs might hide an ink stain pretty well, while lighter colors like hunter green scrubs might need to be replaced.
It also comes down to cost. Rather than investing in expensive fabric cleaners, you might be better off treating yourself to a new pair of comfortable scrubs. Investing in the best scrubs for women will keep you comfortable, cool, and confident on the job.
Find Your New Favorite Workwear at Poppy Scrubs!
If you do decide that you’re in need of a new pair of scrubs, you can find the most comfortable, durable, stylish women’s scrub pants and women’s scrub tops here at Poppy Scrubs! Our luxury scrubs are available in a huge selection of fade-proof colors and modern styles.
Say goodbye to boxy, unflattering scrubs and hello to scrubs that look (and feel) tailor-made for you! We have various pant styles including the best jogger scrubs (available in two leg lengths!), comfortable scrubs tops, and some adorable compression socks for nurses as well!
What material are scrubs made of from Poppy Scrubs? Our unique 4-way stretch fabric is flattering, comfortable, and doesn’t restrict your movement on the job. These are scrubs designed to keep up with you!
Plus, we subject all our scrubs to 10,000 hours of wear testing, ensuring they’re built to last and won’t let you down. Finally, a pair of scrubs that work as hard as you do! With ultra-flattering mid-rise yoga-style waistbands, you’ll never have to adjust yourself on the job again.
Whether you need aqua scrubs, teal scrubs, Caribbean blue scrubs, or jogger scrubs vs regular scrubs, you’ll find the best selection of styles, colors, and sizes to choose from here at Poppy Scrubs. You’ll love them so much, you might even be glad your old scrubs got an ink stain!
Tips on Preventing Ink Stains on Scrubs Going Forward
Learning how to remove pen ink from scrubs is one thing, but there are also some steps you can take to prevent ink stains in the first place. One of the simplest ways is to use pens with caps or retractable designs - always replace the cap or retract the pen tip after use to avoid leaks.
You can also choose your scrub colors based on their ability to hide stains. Darker scrubs naturally hide ink stains better, so you can opt for these if you’re worried about staining your scrubs.
Just remember, certain institutions have rules about who can wear what colors of scrubs. Make sure you understand who wears black scrubs, the difference between galaxy blue vs royal blue scrubs, and the green scrubs meaning at your workplace before choosing your new colors.
For other tips on scrubs care and more, check out our articles:
- What to wear under scrubs
- How to wear jogger scrubs
- How to wear compression socks with jogger scrubs
- How to hem jogger scrubs
- How to make jogger scrubs
- Are jogger scrubs still in style
- Why are scrubs blue
Final Thoughts on How to Get Ink Out of Scrubs
So, that wraps up our guide on how to get pen ink out of scrubs. The key is to treat your scrubs as quickly as you can, then try the various home remedies we’ve mentioned or invest in a commercial stain remover that can (hopefully) lift the ink from your scrubs.
If the stain just can’t be removed and you’re unable to cover it up, it might be time to replace your scrubs. After all, wearing stained scrubs isn’t a great look, even if they’ve been washed, and can leave you feeling a bit unprofessional.
There is some good news though - if you can’t remove the ink stain from your old scrubs, it gives you a chance to try the most comfortable, durable, soft, flattering scrubs you’ve ever met! You’ll find them here at Poppy Scrubs, in a huge range of styles, colors, and sizes.
Level up your work wardrobe with the best scrubs ever - shop Poppy Scrubs today!