Well inked

December 8, 2006 5:29 AM

How do I get laser printer toner off clothes?

Let's say someone was shaking a cartridge and it spilled toner all over the place. How would they go about cleaning the clothes and carpet that were affected?

posted by asok to grab bag (12 comments total)

So You've Had a Toner Mishap
posted by grouse at 5:36 AM on December 8, 2006

COLD COLD COLD. Do not use ANY heat. The toner is fused on to the page with heat, so using heat will fuse it on to the clothes and carpet. Likewise, do not rub, since rubbing causes friction and therefore, heat.
posted by fvox13 at 5:45 AM on December 8, 2006

grouse, that link isn't helpful at all.

I've washed toner out of clothing, both in a washing machine and by hand... before it's heated (as fvox13 said), it's just dust. Brush or shake it out first.
posted by artifarce at 6:50 AM on December 8, 2006

Also, (as it works with permanent hair color, one of the few tricks that I've learnt at my job) try putting some hair spray on the clothes before putting it in the laundry. The chemicals in the spray usually breaks down color.
posted by itchie at 7:16 AM on December 8, 2006

Actually, if it's just dust, putting hair spray on it won't help at all. My apologies.
posted by itchie at 7:17 AM on December 8, 2006

I have had many toner mishaps, while wearing khaki pants, even. it washes right out, in cold water in the washing machine.
posted by pinky at 7:38 AM on December 8, 2006

Simplified, most toner is carbon+polystyrene plastic dust, neither of which stains until heated. Wash in cold water, then air-dry, in case it doesn't all come out. You don't want the dryer to fuse it in.
posted by fake at 8:32 AM on December 8, 2006

You can also use a vacuum attachment and vacuum it out of your clothes. Again, principles of dust apply.
posted by Not in my backyard at 8:50 AM on December 8, 2006

Most toner is made up of very very tiny dust. If the spill is still dry, a vacuum is a good bet. You could follow up with tape or an adhesive lint roller. Then a cold wash; if you do this in the company bathroom, be sure to not rub the fabric vigorously, as the friction could set the stain. I would heed the above advice re: avoiding heat in any form; this includes the need to tend to the stain immediately to avoid interference from body heat.
posted by Sprout the Vulgarian at 9:11 AM on December 8, 2006

Lotion tissues work surprisingly well on skin. I'm not sure how they do on clothes.
posted by Sheppagus at 9:12 AM on December 8, 2006

This former Kinko's employee says ditto on COLD!
posted by selfmedicating at 10:06 AM on December 8, 2006

I worked in a printing environment for a long time; toner mishaps were common. We always used a vacuum cleaner with the kind of nozzle attachment that increases the suction power to just suck up the toner. (Brush attachments work well too.) That pretty much worked every time. Once in a while we might just wipe the clothing down with a paper towel (just like wiping dust off a table top).

Definitely do no subject it to any heat.
posted by oddman at 10:49 AM on December 8, 2006