How do I remove ink stains from a white tunic?

[LeonardLeatherhead]

Hello

Please can somebody help? I left a black ball point pen in my work tunic last night which my girlfriend then washed this morning. It was all my fault and when it came out of the wash as luck would have it there are big black stains on a usually white tunic...

I wondered if anybody had any handy tips about how to get rid of said stains. Sorry if it's a bit off topic.

Many thanks

Nick

[celticmyth]

Not at all green,but i've always found stain devils to work,perhaps someone else would know a more green and cheaper method?

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Hydrogen peroxide, 3.5% solution. I have heard that this can be hard to get hold of in the UK these days, but if you can find it, it works a treat. It's also far ahead of chlorine bleaches in the environmental stakes.

Failing that, lemon juice and sunlight can work on some stains.

[elisabeth]

ink is made of metal and dye so you need 2 treatments..acid on the metal and alkalie to neutralise.
on cotton; wash out as much as poss, andrub with lemon and salt. pour boiling water through, and wash as normal.
Other fabrics: steep in milk, until it goes sour, then wash as normal.
Otherwise buy another blouse!!

[Mrs Moustoir]

Have you tried surgical spirit? I once removed biro scribble from a light coloured sofa using it.

Give the ink a good dousing with the spirit then wash in the machine with your usual washing liquid or powder.

Edited: just to say, it might take a couple of washes and applications of the surgical spirit to work.