Removing blue marker
 

I received/accepted this quilt top, with the intent of repairing and completing it. It was poorly quilted, and all the stitching has since been removed and the top reassembled (some damaged blocks had to be removed). Many areas were marked with a blue pen - I assume one of the water-soluble blue markers you can buy. Spot cleaning those caused issues (fabric faded unevenly) so I gave the whole top a gentle bath yesterday, to try to soak the blue out. Most of it came out, but one block is still marked. Does anyone have suggestions for removing this final stubborn stain, or do I need to replace this block?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]487451[/ATTACH]

If soaking (gentle bath) didn't remove it I doubt anything else will either. The blue markers are supposed to be water soluble but heat and time can set it, even heat from being stored in a hot place such as an attic or car trunk or even exposed to sunlight beating in through a window. You can try using a bit of rubbing alcohol on it but I suspect the block will have to be replaced. Let us know how you make out and if you find some miracle solution that does take it out.

Use the product made to remove the blue marks. It's called Blue Line Eraser. http://www.bobbincentral.com/accesso...e-erasers.html

I have read that vinegar will remove the blue markings, even if they have been heat set. I'd probably try that on a spot first.

Another possibility mentioned in a recent QB thread is cream of tartar, apparently used to remove those blue marks used for embroidery patterns and which also removed rust stains. If you Google this use of cream of tartar, you will see that it is usually mixed with something else -- such as vinegar, or lemon juice, or hydrogen peroxide. I'd try mixing it first with 1:1 with vinegar if vinegar alone doesn't work. I believe hydrogen peroxide can weaken fabric fibers, just as bleach can, so I'd be more judicious about using that.

Or try Grandmas Secret Spot Remover. This stuff is AMAZING! I see you are Canada. Here in the states it sells in Joann's, Hancock Fabrics, Walmart and some hardware stores. Maybe even possibly at a LQS. It is available on Amazon also.

http://www.joann.com/grandma-s-secre...s/1076017.html

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I had no luck at all with vinegar, nor with cream of tartar. Being in Canada, it will cost me more to ship the Blue Line eraser than the product costs :( Plus, I want to get this fixed now, not in 4 week when the mail arrives. But I may still invest in some of that for future use.
But in my googling I found a mention of using hairspray. Seems odd, but what do I have to lose. So I tried it on a small section. It didn't look like it was working at first, but when I rinsed the quilt the marks appear to be gone! Waiting now for that section to dry so I can double check, but I might have a solution in hand. Will update when I know for sure.

It's confusing to why products sold in the US are not sold in Canada. Seems everything sold in Canada is available here.

Try some 90% isopropyl alcohol. You can find it with the other alcohol in any pharmacy.

[QUOTE=kristakz;6843648] But in my googling I found a mention of using hairspray. Seems odd, but what do I have to lose. So I tried it on a small section. It didn't look like it was working at first, but when I rinsed the quilt the marks appear to be gone! QUOTE]

I have heard all my life that hairspray will remove ink marks, such as on clothes, but I have never had occasion to try it! Good for you if it worked.

I've successfully used hairspray on small blue pen marks, but I don't think it will work on a huge stain. Yours is small enough that it might. I usually keep blotting away at the marks with hairspray and a clean white rag - move the rag often.

Hairspray!! (yes, a good musical too) It worked - on all the marks, even the darkest. Didn't even blot (MFord, I didn't see your note until just now) I simply sprayed it on, waited about 2 minutes, then rinsed. It definitely took the lightest of the marks out, even before rinsing I could not see them any longer. There were a few that I didn't think were going to come out because I could still see them after the 2 minutes, but when I rinsed the fabric they disappeared completely. I am so happy!

The marks could have been ball point ink then, as hairspray does take that out. Thank goodness you didn't have to replace the block.

They were definitely the "water soluble" blue marker frequently used to mark quilts. I think they had been ironed over, and that may account for the difficulty in removing them. I'm just thrilled to have found a solution.

I had completely forgotten about the hairspray trick. Thanks for letting us know.

Hairspray is my 'go to' remedy for blue marks! I have had really good success with it! Happy you found something that worked!

A lot of times people forget by the time they get to the end of the quilt, that it needs to be washed in plain water, no detergent or soap the first time. I've been using them for at least 30 years, never had a problem yet.

Kristakz, I look forward to seeing what you are working on!

I have used hydrogen peroxide ( 2 tablespoons) water (1 tablespoon) and a couple drops of Dawn dish detergent. Gently work over the area with a clean toothbrush. Let it dry and see if the marks are gone.

I had a client that many years ago had made a quilt top for me and she had marked it with a Blue be gone marker and then PRESSED the quilt. I explained to her the mistake she made and then soaked it overnight in a product I love for washing linens called Linen Wash by Le Blanc in FL. I was amazed that the Blue be gone was absolutely gone. Since yours has been marked for a number of years, I am not sure if the product will work. Have you thought about applique something like a doily that will cover the markings if they don't come out?? Good Luck.

Before retiring I was a nurse and hairspray was how we got all the ink stains out of our uniforms and jackets--that was before every room got a computer.

Hair stay will remove the ink from pens with a little elbow grease and patience.

In my experience, hair spray USED to work on ink stains, but the formula changed many years ago.

I just read that hand sanitizer will remove permanent marker so you might want to give that a try. Just put some on the mark and then rub with a wash cloth