Highlighters are great tools for marking important text in books or notes. However, accidents can happen, and it’s not uncommon to accidentally get highlighter on your clothes.
Fortunately, getting highlighter out of clothes is possible, although the process may take a bit of time and effort.
In this article, we’ll help you to know how to get the highlighter out of clothes and provide several methods for removing highlighter stains from clothing.
How To Get The Highlighter Out Of Clothes?
Method 1: Using Rubbing Alcohol
Highlighters are notorious for leaving bright neon marks that seem to never disappear no matter how much you wash them. However, there is a simple solution: rubbing alcohol.
Rubbing alcohol is an effective and inexpensive way to remove highlighter stains from clothing.
Step 1: After discovering a highlighter stain on your clothing, the first step is to blot the affected area with a clean cloth or paper towel. Ensure that you do not rub the stain as it will only spread and penetrate deeper into the fabric. Blotting gently allows you to remove excess ink from the surface of your clothes without damaging them.
Step 2: Once you have identified the highlighter stain on your clothing item, it’s crucial to act fast and move on to the next step. Place the stained clothing item on a flat surface such as a table or countertop where you can easily access and work on it. Use rubbing alcohol to remove the stain by pouring it over the affected area. Be sure to saturate the entire stain with rubbing alcohol.
Step 3: After applying rubbing alcohol to the stain, it’s important to let it sit for 10–15 minutes. This will give the rubbing alcohol enough time to break down the highlighter ink and penetrate through the fibers of your clothes.
While waiting for the rubbing alcohol to settle, avoid touching or scrubbing the stain as this could spread it further across your clothes. You can also place a clean cloth over the affected area to prevent any accidental contact while waiting for the solution to do its job.
Step 4: After soaking the clothing item in rubbing alcohol, the next step is to rinse it with cold water. This is important because it helps to remove any remaining rubbing alcohol and highlighter ink from the fabric. Cold water should be used since hot water can cause the stain to set further into the fabric.
When rinsing, be sure to agitate the fabric gently so that all traces of rubbing alcohol and highlighter ink are removed. It may take a few minutes of rinsing until you see clear water running off the clothing item. Once you are satisfied that all traces of ink and rubbing alcohol have been removed, wring out excess water and hang or lay flat to dry.
Step 5: If the stain is still visible, repeat steps 1-4 until the stain is no longer visible.
Note: Before using rubbing alcohol, it’s important to test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the clothing item to make sure it doesn’t cause any damage or discoloration.
Method 2: Using White Vinegar
White vinegar is an accessible, affordable, and non-toxic household item which makes it an ideal product for tackling highlighter stains. It’s also safe to use on a variety of fabrics and materials. White vinegar is another effective way to remove highlighter stains from clothing. Here’s how to use it:
- Blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Mix one part white vinegar with one part water in a bowl.
- Dip a clean cloth into the vinegar mixture and dab it onto the stain. Be sure to saturate the entire stain with the vinegar mixture.
- Let the vinegar mixture sit on the stain for 10–15 minutes.
- Rinse the clothing item with cold water to remove the vinegar mixture and highlighter ink.
- After following the first five steps of using white vinegar to get highlighter stains out of clothes, it is possible that the stain may still be visible. This can be frustrating, but it is important to remain patient and continue with the process. Simply repeat steps 1-5 until the stain is no longer visible.
By following these simple steps and remaining persistent in your efforts, you can effectively remove highlighter stains from your clothing without having to throw them away or spend money on new ones. Don’t give up if you don’t see results right away – sometimes it takes a little extra effort to achieve success.
Method 3: Using Lemon Juice
Another method to remove highlighter stains from clothes is by using lemon juice. This process is suitable for both white and colored fabrics. The acid in the lemon juice can break down the pigment in the highlighter, making it easier to remove.
Step 1: Blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel. This is an important initial step in removing highlighter stains from clothes using lemon juice as it helps to remove any excess ink on the affected area. When blotting, ensure to use a white or light-colored cloth to avoid transferring color onto the stained part of the fabric.
Step 2: Squeezing fresh lemon juice onto the stain is an effective way to get highlighter out of clothes. Lemon juice contains citric acid which helps break down the color pigments in the stain, making it easier to remove. When applying lemon juice, make sure to saturate the entire stain with it as this will help ensure that all the color pigments are penetrated by the acid.
Step 3: After applying the lemon juice to the highlighter stain, it is essential to let it sit for at least 10–15 minutes. This time allows the citric acid in the lemon juice to penetrate and break down the pigment molecules of the highlighter ink. The longer you allow it to sit, the higher your chances of getting rid of even stubborn stains.
Step 4: After allowing the lemon juice to sit on the stained area for a few minutes, it is time to rinse off the clothing item with cold water. This process helps remove both the highlighter ink and lemon juice from the fabric. Cold water is preferred because hot or warm water can set the stain permanently, making it even harder to remove.
While rinsing, make sure that all traces of lemon juice and highlighter ink are completely washed away. Be thorough and ensure that every crevice of the clothing item has been rinsed properly.
If you notice any remaining stains after rinsing, repeat this process until you achieve your desired results.
Step 5: If the stain is still visible after following method 3, which involves using lemon juice to remove highlighter stains from clothes, then it may be necessary to repeat steps 1-4.
This means applying more lemon juice to the affected area, letting it sit for a few minutes, rinsing it with cold water, and then washing it as usual.
It’s important not to give up too quickly when trying to remove a stubborn stain like a highlighter. Depending on the severity of the stain and how long it has been there, multiple attempts may be needed before seeing results.
However, it’s important not to use any harsh chemicals or scrub too aggressively as this can damage the fabric.
Note: Be sure to use fresh lemon juice, as bottled lemon juice may contain preservatives that could damage the clothing item.
Method 4: Using Baking Soda
Baking soda is a gentle and effective way to remove highlighter stains from clothing. Here’s how to use it
- Blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1–2 teaspoons of water to create a paste.
- Apply the paste onto the stain and rub it in gently.
- Let the baking soda paste sit on the stain for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse the clothing item with cold water to remove the baking soda paste and highlighter ink.
- If the stain is still visible, repeat steps 1-5 until the stain is cleaned.
Conclusion
In conclusion, removing a highlighter stain from clothing is an achievable goal. First, scrape off as much of the highlighted material as possible using a butter knife or spoon. Then, pretreat the area with liquid laundry detergent before washing the garment with hot water.
If the stain still persists, apply a mixture of white vinegar and dishwashing soap to the affected area. For tougher stains, consider using rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover.
