How to Remove Chalk from Clothing

Thor asked, “How do I remove chalk from my clothes?”

You Will Need:

• A vacuum
• White paper towels or cloths
• Rubbing alcohol
• Liquid detergent
• Fels-Naptha soap

Steps to Remove the Chalk:

1. Shake the garment outside or use a vacuum attachment to pick up any chalk dust.¹ If the garment is delicate, consider wrapping a thin piece of fabric over the vacuum attachment.
2. Place the stained area of the fabric, stain down on paper towels or cloth.¹
3. Wet another paper towel or a cloth with rubbing alcohol and blot the stain from the back.¹
4. Continue blotting, changing the cloth as needed.¹
5. If the fabric is thick or padded, which does not allow you to clean the stain from the back, you can dab the rubbing alcohol directly on the stain.²
6. Rinse and continue until the stain has been removed.¹
7. Using liquid detergent, swab detergent into stain. Let sit for a few minutes.¹
8. Fels-Naptha, a laundry bar soap, can be used instead of the liquid detergent, working into a lather.²
9. Follow the laundry guidelines for your specific fabric.¹

• If by chance your chalk is colored, you can use a bit of Smirnoff Vodka. Always test in an inconspicuous spot first. Swab the stain with the vodka, then launder according to your fabric guidelines.³
• If the chalk stain appears on a felt item, you might try the suggestions found here in How to Remove Chalk Marks from Pool Table Felt.

1. Field Guide to Stains by Virginia Friedman, Melissa Wagner and Nancy Armstrong
2. How the Queen Cleans Everything by Linda Cobb
3. Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic