Earlier this week I washed two bags and two tote bags that I had made over a year ago. Just wanted to freshen them up. After taking out the bottoms and emptying them checking for pens, coins, etc shaking them to be sure I didn't miss anything, in they went.
Washed in front loader on hand wash cold water for 4 mins. decided to throw them in dryer for 5 mins. to draw out the excess water. Was in kitchen about 10ft from laundry room. After about 3 mins. I heard a click, click, click sound. Went running in to see what was in dryer , pulled one bag and it had INK spots on it ranging from 1/8" to 2 1/2" diameter , pulled out the other 3 and same thing. I was sick............

My gut instict was to just through them away. But I decided I would hang them to dry until DH got home so I could show him.
Well he was just as upset as I was. He immediately went to barn and brought in a huge bucket put 3-4 gallons of water and several scoops of oxy clean in it and proceeded putting the bags in the bucket and started stirring. I explained that thou I appreciate the effort, it was a waste of time these spots were too big. Well we soaked those bags for 2 1/2 days stirring everytime either one of us passed the bucket. He through them in the washer and hoped for the best. Well they came out with some what lighter spots but they were still VERY noticable. We hung them up to dry and figured I would be throughing them out later this week, when I got the courage.

Yesterday, I went to get the bags and looked them over and will wonders never cease....... as the bags had dried the spots grew even fainter, you can't see them unless you know where they are. I plan on using them for everyday. My DH is my Knight in Oxyclean Armour

Just be sure to be extra careful when wahing your bags.

Happy sewing

I am so glad they are usable again. Thanks for the tip on the oxyclean.

At first I thought this was going to be another April Fools :hunf: :mrgreen:

Yeah - persistence pays off.
You should send this testimonial to the product company - it would make a great commercial. Who knows, maybe they'll send you a coupon or 2.

YaY Oxyclean! Can't do without it!

I know it's been mentioned here before, but Dollar General carries a cleaner called Awesome that also works miracles. It got red sharpie out of my beige carpet! Used full-strength, it takes out ink. :-D :-D

Glad you were able to save them!

Axyclen armour--that is too funny. I am glad they came out that well and I will make a mental note of what you did. My husband leaves pens in his shirts all the time

Mom always washed her clothes with bakingsoda, she did this up until she passed away in 1993. and i still use it...good stuff

So glad you and your husband were able to save the bags. I know you spend alot of time and $ on them. I will be adding the product to my laundry shelf. DH gets stains on his clothes all the time, and my little bottle of grandma's stain remover is just about empty.

Just curious... did you hang them outside to dry? The sunlight will get rid of stains. So maybe that helped???

No hung them in the laundray room. It's been too cold here to hang out.

wow, that is great, thanks for sharing your story with us and glad it worked out

tell your hubby he did a great job!

I love Oxyclean! So happy that your bags came clean. When I have a stain I make a paste of Oxy & Shout & let it sit for a few hours. I usually have really good results.

I'm so glad that the spots got lighter. I hate when that happens. I've had that happen with pens and chapstick. I'm always careful to check pockets, but sometimes a pen just sneaks in.

Just make sure you throw some old towels into your dryer for a run through before putting in anything good again.There could be leftover ink on the tub. Ask me how I know!!

I was upset and mad but yes I did exactly that. Then wiped out the dryer well. It is terrible. I know I REALLY checked those bags good, I just don't know how I missed that pen....

Take care

I LOVE Oxyclean!!!! I made my sister a light pink/light green pinwheel tablerunner. My iron spewed orange rusty water all over the pink. I was sick. Decided not to give it to her. Made a paste of the oxy and it got EVERY bit out.
It is amazing stuff!!! Glad it worked for you :thumbup:

Hair spray will get ink out. Spray it till you see it spread. Don't worry, wash it. If some remain, spray it again. I leave pens in pockets all the time. Works like a charm. I even get laundry pen marks off walls with it. Also, alcohol works wonders too on some things.

What a great man you have!

Oxy clean works well. did you also clean your dryer??? ah, i see that you did. great.
some kids put crayola's in a dryer yrs ago and all my wash was a mess. I didn't have Oxy clean then.

Hair spray works on ink too. Just make sure the stained item hasn't been dried in the dryer.

Hair spray does wonders on ball point pen ink. Try it next time - though you probably won't have a 'next' time!

Great ending to your lesson. Love your line that your DH is your Knight in Oxyclean Armour, too cute!!!

I have never had any luck with oxyclean.

They sure found the right name for "Awesome".....have used it for just about everything.....only hope the price stays the same.....

I think the Awesome is better, and it doesnt leave the residue like the Oxy does. I found I needed to re-wash items that I soaked in Oxy to get that comepletely out.

I am glad you did not have to throw them away. Your DH was so kind to help you.

Hand sanitizer gets ink (even in "exploding" pens) off classroom desks....but now I know what to get it out of fabric with!!!!! Thanks for the info!

Glad it worked! I always forgot pens in my apron when I waitressed. Of course my shirts were white, (with little ink spots)!

Between oxyclean and zout I never worry about stains. So happy you could save your bags. Good job to dh.

Oxyclean is wonderful stuff. Sometimes it just takes soaking for a few days and stirring it around occasionally.

fyi, I've used lemon extract on ink and it comes out.

I am so happy that the OxyCLean did such a good job! For ink spots....I spray them well with cheap Aqua Net Hairspray and blot & spray & blot some more until the ink disappears. Have saved many shirts of DH's that way. I will now keep a spare bucket of OxyClean on hand. Thanks for telling us about this.

So glad the ink came out. Thanks for the good news about oxy-clean. I have never been impressed with it, but will try again if the need arises. In the meanwhile I use old fashioned Goop that originally was for removing car grease off hands. They now have pic of laundry on the lid and it works wonders. For less than $1.50 this stain remover lasts about 6 months around my home. It is sold at wal mart in the automotive section if anyone wants to give it a try. Takes out catsup, all food stains, grass stains, everything I have tried it on.

I have gotten ink stains on things too and if I am lucky to find them before they hit the dryer, I put shout on them and it wonders too. Glad that there is somthing out there that will work, I will have to get some.

I put the dollar tree 'Awesome' in every load. I have a chronic 'shirt front' problem. Those of you 'chesty' sisters out there, know what I mean.... :oops:

You could always applique a flower or something over any spots that are still noticeable.