Advice please for how to remove mechanical pencil stains from a quilt.
 

I traced around a template with a mechanical lead pencil. Please let me know if you have a method or product you have tried that works to remove the pencil marks. Thank you!

Have you washed the quilt yet? The only time I've had those marks be stubborn I used some liquid dish soap (like dawn) with a soft toothbrush. Any other time, simply a regular wash in the machine takes care of them.

If a regular eraser doesn't work, then try an art gum eraser. It has worked for me.

A latex eraser doesn't leave residue and works for me.

I can't get the mechanical pencil to come out. Must not be #2 lead. I made a white on white hand embroidered handkerchief for my DIL and the marks never came out. I have used everything I could think of. Oxi, Zout, peroxide, bleach, everything anyone suggested. At least the fabric and the embroidery are still there. I only use a regular sharpenable pencil now. I thought maybe it was because it was under the embroidery that it wouldn't come out.

I made the same mistake! Soaked the quilt in Biz, the went over any remaining marks with a toothbrush and blue Dawn. Did finally remove them. (my pencil was a #2 , most came out fine it was just a few that were extra stubborn)

Next time try these pencils for quilt marking. I've used them for 15 years to mark my quilts for hand quilting and wash the quilt afterward with no problems removing the marks.
http://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Wash-Pe...d+wash+pencils
They are also often available at Michaels. You will want a very good, sharp, handheld pencil sharpener.

Jan in VA

I use blue Dawn and one of the Carbona stain removers. I get them at WalMart. They are in yellow bottles and are specific to the stain. I hope this helps.

I never use a pencil on fabric. I use a water soluable or air soluable pen.

I've frequently used a mechanical pencil and I always wash my quilts when they're finished. I've never had a problem with the marks washing out. This time, the pencil marks did not come out. I'll try Dawn with toothbrush.; hopefully the Dawn will remove them.

I heard Mr Clean magic eraser works but you might want to test on a fabric scrap first.

I was going to recommend the magic eraser, too. I just used it yesterday to remove some pencil marks. But, as rhilkey recommended, test first.

I used Oxy clean on #2 pencil marks that were 2 to 3 years old.

I use pencil to mark my quilts. Before I wash I use a Shout solid stain stick on all the marks, rubbing it in well.

Jan, I went to Amazon and read up on these pencils. When used for sketching on paper they bleed like water colors right? Does this not happen on fabric when water is applied or is it that in washing so much water is used that the marks come all the way out? When I'm using a water soluble quilt marking pencil (the blue one) I can dab a damp cloth on the mark and it will come out. It appears that I might not be able to do that with this. Could you please clarify some more on this. I'm intrigued by this and value your expertise.

I've had success in using this product called Sew Clean, found in some quilt stores. It also removes ballpoint inks.

Good luck with the stain. I have a quilt with pencil marks on it that have been there for ages. Don't know how to get them out so I am very interested in this answer. Good luck.

This works on regular pencil marks so give it a try.
3 parts rubbing alcohol
1 part water
1 generous squirt of CLEAR dish detergent
Pour solution into a jar, tightly covered. This will last a long time.
When ready to remove the pencil marks, saturate a cotton ball with the solution and rub over the pencil mark. When dry, the pencil mark should be gone.

I had one, the dog uses it now..........................

I use them too without any problem.
They are also available in the art section of Ben Franklin. I get mine there.

I find that if you iron over the pencil marks, it will be very hard to get them out, otherwise washing will do the trick

Hair spray will remove ball point pen ink.

I use mechanical pencils frequently, and always erase the lines immediately after quilting the marked block. So far, so good. They come right off with the eraser. I do mark as I go, so the pencil lines do not stay on the fabric for a long time. I'm sorry this did not work for you this time.

No I have not washed the quilt yet.
Thank you for all the tips and solutions you have found to work for you.
After I try some of the ideas posted, I will let everyone know what I tried and what worked. (or what may not have worked) Stay tuned!

Thanks for the tip on these pencils, Jan! I've had problems with regular graphite being stubborn or down right impossible to remove and I'm looking for a cheaper alternative to those blue water soluble markers.

[QUOTE I made the same mistake! Soaked the quilt in Biz, the went over any remaining marks with a toothbrush and blue Dawn. Did finally remove them. (my pencil was a #2 , most came out fine it was just a few that were extra stubborn)[/QUOTE]

I second the Biz recommendation. If you use this enzyme product in a granular form, make a strong solution of it by completely dissolving the Biz powder in boiling water. I have soaked items for 3 days or more and it has done the trick. As an enzyme cleaning agent, and not a bleach, I have never experienced fading or color loss of whatever I am soaking. The only time Biz has failed me is after I inadvertently ironed and indelibly set blue Chako registration lines on a heavy cotton weave. It's amazing stuff. Good luck.

I second the Biz recommendation. If you use this enzyme product in a granular form, make a strong solution of it by completely dissolving the Biz powder in boiling water. I have soaked items for 3 days or more and it has done the trick. As an enzyme cleaning agent, and not a bleach, I have never experienced fading or color loss of whatever I am soaking. The only time Biz has failed me is after I inadvertently ironed and indelibly set blue Chako registration lines on a heavy cotton weave. It's amazing stuff. Good luck.[/QUOTE]

I will purchase Biz tomorrow. So far I have tried shout and oxiclean with no luck. I appreciate the Biz receipe for soaking. I'll give it a try.

I second the Biz recommendation. If you use this enzyme product in a granular form, make a strong solution of it by completely dissolving the Biz powder in boiling water. I have soaked items for 3 days or more and it has done the trick. As an enzyme cleaning agent, and not a bleach, I have never experienced fading or color loss of whatever I am soaking. The only time Biz has failed me is after I inadvertently ironed and indelibly set blue Chako registration lines on a heavy cotton weave. It's amazing stuff. Good luck.[/QUOTE]

I had to look online for where to buy Biz. I looked at Food lion and then a Walmart close by with no luck. I found Biz at another Walmart on the other side of town. I pretreated the marks with a strong solution of Biz and used a brush to
saturate the lines. I soaked the quilt for 3 hours. Most of the marks came out. A few darker lines remain. I forgot to dissolve the Biz in Boiling water. I did get out a few stubborn marks with an eraser after washing in Biz

Glad it helped!