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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the dress is toast

46 replies

MrsLilaAmes · 15/06/2023 16:02

Shameless hope for traffic.

Brand new gingham style uniform dress. Viscose/polyester mix (I know). Whiteboard marker. All over. Definitely ‘dried on’ in this weather.

Am I unreasonable? Is there hope? I’ve never succeeded at washing it out before… If I can, what do I do??!

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
scrivette · 15/06/2023 16:03

I can't get marker pen off. However I send the DC to school in clothes with marker pen on them, if the school provide marker pens for children they have to accept that this will happen!

TheMrsColumbo · 15/06/2023 16:15

Try isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

Blossomandbee · 15/06/2023 16:16

Silly question but you tried getting it off? It might be water based and washable?

Original poster
MrsLilaAmes · 15/06/2023 16:16

Ooh, where do I get that from @TheMrsColumbo ?

OP posts:
SockGoddess · 15/06/2023 16:17

You can dissolve the ink with white spirit or a similar solvent, or you might have some success with white vinegar. But I don't know if you'll get it all out or just spread it around!

Original poster
MrsLilaAmes · 15/06/2023 16:17

Didn’t come off during the quick spot wash I’ve just done

OP posts:
canIdigitnoofcoursenot · 15/06/2023 16:19

I've found Covid hand gel surprisingly good at removing some stains (because of the alcohol I suppose). Nice to find a use for my stock of it.

AgentAfricanGrey · 15/06/2023 16:21

Try some wd40

JeandeServiette · 15/06/2023 16:21

Maybe she did it deliberately because she can't beat to wear synthetics in this heat? Whey do they even make school summer dresses in polyester?

But, yeah, I'd have thought it was for the bin.

Needmoresunshine · 15/06/2023 16:22

Hairspray all over the pen and then wash. This got sharpie off one of my kids uniforms.

BeardieWeirdie · 15/06/2023 16:24

Soak with Hairspray and dab with a rag/dry dishcloth.

Pfpppl · 15/06/2023 16:24

Another vote for hairspray, it saved several of my son's jumpers from whiteboard pen marks.

Original poster
MrsLilaAmes · 15/06/2023 16:25

Annoyed mostly because, with the nice weather so late in coming, I only bought one. But now, even though it will be washed and clean for each of the three days per week she needs to wear it, it will be totally obvious I only bought one!!

OP posts:
Blinkingheckythump · 15/06/2023 16:26

Or, just wash it and put it back on her stains don't hurt.

Original poster
MrsLilaAmes · 15/06/2023 16:27

JeandeServiette · 15/06/2023 16:21

Maybe she did it deliberately because she can't beat to wear synthetics in this heat? Whey do they even make school summer dresses in polyester?

But, yeah, I'd have thought it was for the bin.

Yeah gives me the rage. I sent DH to marks for it cause they usually fo100% cotton. 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsLilaAmes · 15/06/2023 16:28

canIdigitnoofcoursenot · 15/06/2023 16:19

I've found Covid hand gel surprisingly good at removing some stains (because of the alcohol I suppose). Nice to find a use for my stock of it.

Amazing! Can’t hurt to try

OP posts:
JeandeServiette · 15/06/2023 16:29

Ha. If you're sending a man to M&S, do click and collect first. The lighting or the rows of bras or something overwhelms them.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/06/2023 16:29

I sent ds in with white board marker on his polo tops. If I didn’t I’d be replacing every time. Why they’re still using them in yr 4 idk!

Original poster
MrsLilaAmes · 15/06/2023 16:30

JeandeServiette · 15/06/2023 16:29

Ha. If you're sending a man to M&S, do click and collect first. The lighting or the rows of bras or something overwhelms them.

Ha! Puts me in mind of the largest lingerie department in Ireland…

OP posts:
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 15/06/2023 16:30

There are not many stains which won’t respond to the right solvent. I would try alcohol. Surgical spirit from the chemist? Meths? Hand gel? Cheap vodka?

Original poster
MrsLilaAmes · 15/06/2023 16:31

Ha! Cheap vodka!

OP posts:
Jules912 · 15/06/2023 16:32

canIdigitnoofcoursenot · 15/06/2023 16:19

I've found Covid hand gel surprisingly good at removing some stains (because of the alcohol I suppose). Nice to find a use for my stock of it.

I may give that a try. Normally I just send them in anyway but have a polo top that has a big red splodge which is huge and looks worryingly like blood. I have a miele washing machine and their fancy washing liquid shifts most things but not this.

TheFairyCaravan · 15/06/2023 16:33

Try hairspray. Take it outside and peg it on the line then spray hairspray, can be the cheap stuff, really liberally all over the stain on the inside and outside of the dress then wash as normal.

I got tattoo ink out of a white t-shirt of DS1’s doing that, it was covered in the stuff, and had been there for overnight.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 15/06/2023 16:33

Cheap vodka in a spray bottle is a useful instant dry clean technique, theatre costumers sometimes use it!

Original poster
MrsLilaAmes · 15/06/2023 16:34

I think that’s brilliant @TheCountessofFitzdotterel

OP posts: