Sewing Q&A
Terry Siemsen
I used a blue erasable pen on neon yellow polyester fabric three days ago and the mark is still there. This is on the dress front and it looks awful. How do I remove it?
Ann C.,
There are some wonderful marking pens on the market but the key to using them is knowing how to remove the marks when they're no longer needed. These marking pens are designed for washable fabrics and come in blue, purple, pink and white to contrast with a variety of fabrics. Test any marking tool on a fabric scrap to be sure the marks can be removed completely.
There are two categories of "erasable" marking pens: water-soluble and disappearing. The water-soluble pen needs plain, cool water to make the marks disappear. Use a damp cloth or sponge and blot the marks until they're completely gone. Don't iron the markings as that may set the marks and make them impossible to remove.
The disappearing ink pen (air-soluble pen) marks will fade within 24 to 72 hours, depending on the temperature, humidity and fabric content. It's best to use an air-soluble pen just before the marks are needed as they may disappear before you're finished. These marks can also be removed by blotting with plain water and a cloth or sponge. Again, don't press the marks before removing them completely. If the marks from either pen aren't completely removed before laundering, some detergents may turn the marks brown from a chemical reaction with the ink.
Another good marking tool can be found in every bathroom. Soap slivers are great for marking on fabrics, and because they're soap, they're washable and disappear after laundering. Allow the soap silvers to dry out before using.
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