Pen on my white coat help!

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Premed2295

Full Member
7+ Year Member
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So a pen accidentally ended up in my washing machine with my white coat. The coat has a lot of pen stains on it, and didn't come clean with dry cleaning. I am easily able to order a new coat if it is a lost cause, but prefer to be able to get this one to come clean, as it is my very first white coat. Ive tried spray and wash, tide to go and professional dry cleaning service with no luck.

Anyone have a similar experience who can offer me advice on what helped them?

Thank You!
 
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If the coat has a lot of pen stain blotches it may just be easier to replace it than to try to restore your coat back to its original state. I use Carbona Devil Stains - Ink & Crayon to get rid of stray pen marks and the occasional pen blotch and it works really well (the more deeply set stains tend to take a few washes but it eventually gets it out).
 
If you really want to try to save it, and you haven't yet put it through the dryer (which will set any stain permanently) then try rubbing alcohol. Put a dry washcloth under the spot, drip rubbing alcohol on it, a little bit at a time, until it dissolves out the ink. Can take a while it you've got a lot of ink in there, but should help. Then wash again after you're done.
 
Hairspray. Blot. Repeat to completion. Then soak with cold water.

You already had it dry cleaned. You're all done. That flavor is locked in.
 
If you're a nurse, buy a new one.

If you're a med student, wear it as long as you must, then immediately ditch it upon starting residency.
 
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Whoever suggested nail polish remover it worked! Thank you.
I will be getting another coat, but this still has sentimental value.
Wow, I'm impressed. I thought the chemicals in the dry cleaning process would have bonded the ink to the fibers forever-ever.