How to Remove Pencil Stains From Clothes

Erase lead marks for good with these common cleaners

By
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre is a housekeeping expert with over 20 years of experience cleaning residentially and commercially. Over that time, she has been writing about tips and tricks for housekeeping and organizing a home for national publications.
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Updated on 09/25/23
Reviewed by
Brandon Pleshek
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Reviewed by Brandon Pleshek
Brandon Pleshek of Clean That Up! is a seasoned veteran of the cleaning industry with over 20 years of experience in commercial and residential cleaning. He is a member of The Spruce's Cleaning and Organizing Review Board.
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Fact checked by
Sarah Scott
SS
Fact checked by Sarah Scott
Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.
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In This Article
Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins - 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0-10

Pencil stains can easily be removed from clothes using common cleaners at home. If your favorite garments are stained with graphite, they can typically be cleaned with a rubber eraser, liquid laundry detergent, and different stain removers like a stick, gel, or spray.

How to Remove Pencil Stains From Clothing

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

Erasers work best on washable fabrics such as cotton, linen, or polyester. Ensure the eraser is clean and free of previously erased graphite or pen, as these substances can transfer onto your fabric. After washing your garments, avoid drying them in a machine dryer until the stains are completely removed.

Here, learn how to remove pencil stains from clothes in a few simple steps.

Tip

A large, soft, high-quality eraser brick will remove pencil stains on clothing better than the common pink erasers found on the end of pencils. Small erasers on pencils often smear graphite and other materials like dirt or food.

 Stain Type Graphite
Detergent type Stain removal stick, laundry detergent
 Water Temperature Cold
Cycle Type Normal
materials for removing pencil eraser stains
The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija 

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Soft pencil eraser
  • Washing machine and dryer

Materials

  • Stain remover stick, gel, or spray
  • Dry spotter (optional)
  • Absorbent pad (optional)
  • Laundry detergent

Instructions

How to Remove Pencil Stains From Clothes

  1. Erase the Pencil Stain

    Rub a pencil eraser gently on the stained area of your laundry. A few passes with an eraser are often enough to remove the marks from clothing. Be mindful of the fabric, stopping if you notice any pilling or stretching.

    Tip

    If you can't find an eraser, you can also try using a folded or balled-up rubber band to gently rub and lift the pencil park.

    person erasing pencil stains from a garment
    The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija 

  2. Apply a Stain Remover

    Apply your preferred stain remover to the stained area. Follow the label instructions carefully. Sticks, sprays, gels, and homemade stain removers are all effective at removing pencil marks from clothes:

    • Stain remover stick: Gently press the tip of the stick onto the stained part of your garment. Rub the stain remover stick into the fabric, pressing to add more liquid as needed until the stain is lifted.
    • Stain remover spray: Spray a dry-cleaning solvent onto the stain, then apply a dry spotter to rub into the fabric. Cover the stain with an absorbent pad and let the material stand for about 30 minutes before washing.
    • Stain remover gel: Apply the stain remover gel to the stained fabric, gently rubbing it in. Let the garment rest for a few minutes before washing.
    • Homemade stain remover: Mix a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with two cups of cold water on a sponge, then blot the stain until the liquid is absorbed.
    person applying stain remover to a garment
    The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija  

  3. Wash the Garment Normally

    • Wash the clothing on a normal washing machine cycle using cold water.
    • Air dry the garment after washing, then inspect the stained area.
    • If the stain remains after washing, repeat the stain removal steps and another wash cycle.
    • Avoid drying the garment in a machine dryer until the stain is completely removed, as heat can set the stain. Once the stain is cleaned, continue washing and drying the garment as usual.
    person holding a laundry basket
    The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija 

When to Call a Professional

Some especially delicate clothing requires extra care. With silk and vintage fabrics, it is better to be safe than sorry—take these items to a professional dry cleaner as soon as possible. Point out and identify the pencil stain to help your professional cleaner choose the proper treatment. 

Additional Tips for Handling Pencil Stains

For wool, acetate, rayon, and other fabrics labeled dry-clean-only, pencil marks can usually be tackled at home with a few tweaks to the above techniques.

  • First, rub a soft eraser gently over the stain with care not to rip, pull, or abrade the fabric.
  • Apply a dry-cleaning solvent and dry spotter from a home dry-cleaning kit.
  • Cover the stained area with an absorbent pad and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
  • Uncover and spray with solvent again. Allow it to air dry.
  • If the stain remains, dab the stain with water and apply a wet spotter from your kit, then allow it to air dry.

Tip

Avoid using Mr. Clean Magic Erasers to remove pencil stains on clothing. While they can clean pencil stains on other materials, Magic Erasers are too abrasive for fabrics—so even gentle rubbing can create micro-tears in the material. Save these erasers for stains on hard surfaces.

How to Remove Ink Stains From Clothes
FAQ
  • How do you get pencil shavings out of fabric?

    Pencil shavings should be manually removed from fabric by hand or by using tweezers. If the shavings leave any traces of graphite after removal, use a soft eraser to gently wipe them away.

  • Does pencil come off in the washing machine?

    Graphite pencil marks on clothes can typically be removed in the washing machine using standard detergent and a normal wash cycle with cold water. Using a large, soft eraser brick before washing is best.

  • How do you get colored pencil marks out of clothes?

    Remove colored pencil stains from clothes by scraping off debris from the pencil, then pre-treating the stain with a mixture of liquid dish soap, warm water, and a few drops of rubbing alcohol. Wash the garment in hot water to loosen the wax stain. Air dry, then repeat if the stain persists.