How To Remove Sublimation Ink From Mugs, Tumblers, Metals, Shirts?

Shoot! Not again! 

You’ve spilled sublimation ink on your t-shirt again.

You’re not having much luck with sublimation either. The mugs and tumblers are getting faded sublimation prints. The worst part is you have to clean up this mess because you don’t want to throw away your precious mugs. 

So, how to remove sublimation ink from mugs, tumblers, metal, and shirts?

To remove sublimation ink from mugs, tumblers, metal, and shirts, you can use home appliances and ingredients. You can use the convection oven to remove sublimation ink from mugs, tumblers, and metal substrates. White vinegar, apple cider vinegar, acetone, and bleach work on shirts as well.  

Are you down to learn the process for each substrate? Scroll down to get the whole guide below with tips and tricks! Hopefully, you’ll be able to revive your substrates again. 

How To Remove Sublimation Ink From Mugs – 6 Best Ways

It doesn’t take any fancy material to remove sublimation ink from mugs. You can get rid of the ink using materials lying around in your house. Here are the 6 easiest sublimation mug ink removal hacks you can try at home. 

1. Dishwasher Method

The dishwasher method uses heat to fade the sublimation ink from your mug. This is the best tactic when you want to multitask simultaneously. 

However, it’s a lengthy process as you need to repeat the washing cycle at least 3-4 times until the ink fades completely. So, overall it takes at least 10-12 hours depending on your dishwasher model.  

Equipment Needed

1. Hot water 
2. Dishwasher  

Steps

1. First, you have to wash the sublimated mug with hot water. 
2. Then, open the dishwasher lid and place the mug on the lower rack.
3. Close the dishwasher lid and set it in a high-washing cycle. 
4. Finally, repeat the cycle until the ink fades away entirely.  

Note

Now, here’s a tip. You must keep the mug closer to the heating element. The direct heat will speed up the process.

2. Oven Method

Another way of removing infusible ink from a mug is to use an oven. It works just like the dishwasher method but reduces 4x your time! It’s the best method when you don’t want to use any harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide to remove the ink.

It takes approximately 30-60 minutes to fade the ink in a convection oven. You can use a toaster oven as well. Make sure to check every 30 minutes if the ink has faded or not.  

Equipment Needed

1. Hot soap water solution
2. Convection Oven or Toaster Oven 
3. Lemon juice
4. Cotton pads

Steps

1. First, make a soap-water solution with hot water and wash the surface of the mug.
2. Then, put the mug inside the oven setting the temperature at 400℉.
3. Make sure to set the timer to 1 hour.
4. Next, take out the mug from the oven. Scrub the ink with a cotton pad soaked in lemon juice.
5. Finally, rinse all the solutions with lukewarm water from the mug.  

Note

One thing you should remember while applying this method. Don’t bake any food in the same oven as the sublimated mug. If you do, the sublimated ink fumes will interact with your food and make it poisonous. 

3. Acetone Method

Now, if you’re against the heating method, you can use acetone to wipe off the sublimation ink from your mug. It has ink pigment solvent which helps to dissolve ink. You can also use nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol instead of direct using acetone. 

It takes approximately 1-2 hours to remove the sublimation ink completely. It’s an effective method when you can’t get rid of hard stains in the oven or dishwasher method. 

Equipment Needed

1. 1 bottle of Acetone/Nail Polish Remover/Rubbing Alcohol
2. Cotton pads
3. Warm water

Steps

1. Firstly, you have to take some acetone on the cotton pad. You can also soak the cotton pad in a bowl full of acetone.
2. Then, rub the acetone-soaked cotton on the ink. Rub it until you scrape off the ink from the mug. 
3. Repeat the process until the mug becomes blank. 
4. Finally, rinse the mug with warm water. 

Note

If the cotton pads don’t do the job, you should use a razor blade. Carefully scrape off the ink so that you don’t get hurt. 

Also, remember to wear gloves when you’re dealing with raw acetone. Otherwise, the acetone will interact with your skin and cause irritation.  

4. Vinegar Method

Apart from acetone, vinegar also removes sublimation ink quite impressively. You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar in this case. 

The white vinegar takes roughly around 1.30 hours to clean up all the ink whereas it takes double the time for apple cider vinegar. Both of the methods take much elbow grease so you need to be patient. 

Equipment Needed

1. A big bowl that can hold the mug
2. White Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar 
3. Scrubber
4. Water

Steps

1. Start with filling the bowl with the vinegar. It should be enough to submerge the mug.
2. Then, place the mug inside the bowl facing the sublimation ink toward the vinegar.
3. Let the mug soak in the solution for an hour.
4. After the mug is all soaked up, take a dry scrubber and scrub on the ink. Keep scrubbing until all the ink comes off.
5. If the ink isn’t coming off easily, soak the mug for another 30 minutes and repeat the process.
6. Finally, rinse the mug with water and wash away any residue.  

Note

Though the vinegar method is a cost-effective method, it’s not appropriate for re-sublimation. In this case, the mug surface loses the polyester coating essential for attaching sublimation ink. So, you should only use this method when you don’t need to sublimate the mug again.  

5. Paint Stripper Method

So, you don’t even have an hour to spend on ink removal? Enter a paint stripper that’s capable of removing sublimation ink in under 20-30 minutes! However, it’s an expensive method considering the other methods we discussed above. 

The main ingredient here is dichloromethane or methylene chloride which breaks the chemical bonds of sublimation inks. So, you need to wear a mask and gloves, in the beginning, to protect yourself from chemical fumes.  

Equipment Needed

1. A small bucket
2. Paint Stripper
3. Disposable face mask
4. Rubber gloves
5. Scraper

Steps

1. The first thing you have to do is fill the bucket with the paint stripper. 
2. Then, place the mug inside the bucket. The ink should have a paint stripper touching it. 
3. Wait for 20-30 minutes.
4. Finally, take out the mug and start scraping the paint with a scraper. Keep scraping till the ink completely comes off. 

Note

Don’t touch the paint stripper with your bare hands. If you’re not using protective gear, it can have harmful effects on your skin like rash, itching, and irritations. 

Best Paint Stripper To Remove Sublimation Ink From Mugs

We found the Smart ‘n Easy Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover Gel best to remove sublimation ink stains from different substrates. It strips out sublimation ink without any mess from metal, tin, copper, and enamel mugs very well.  

It only requires 4 steps to strip the ink – prep, apply, remove, and finish. You can remove up to 15 layers of ink with this paint stripper. 

Not to mention it’s safe from harmful ingredients like Methylene Chloride or NMP. However, it has a slight Citrus Orange scent. So, you need to conduct the project in a ventilated area. 

Now, another reason we recommend this product is for its fast-working capacity. So, you can finish the project within 30 minutes. But you need to be careful about following the correct steps written on the label. Otherwise, it will dry fast and not work effectively. 

You can get this Smart ‘n Easy Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover Gel in online marketplaces like Amazon. 

6. Dry Scrubber Method

Now, if you’re against using any chemicals, paint strippers, or heating techniques, using a dry scrubber is always a good option. It acts like sandpaper. The corrosion helps to rub off the ink from the mug’s surface.  

However, this process is only for people with high-energy muscles. You’ll have to be patient with the hours of scrubbing. The stronger the ink is, the harder you have to scrub. It’ll take more time as well.  

Equipment Needed

1. Dry scrubber
2. Tap water
3. Dishwasher soap 

Steps

1. Take your mug to the sink.
2. Scrub gently with a dry scrubber on the sublimation ink of your mug. 
3. You can also add a few drops of water and dishwasher soap to clean the residue.
4. If the stains don’t come off easily, apply more force in scrubbing.
5. Finally, clean all the ink with tap water.   

Note

You might get soar muscles with this method. So, it’s not recommended if you have injuries in the arm or anywhere in your hand. 

7. Remove the Logo from Ceramic Mug

You can remove logo from ceramic mug using all of the 6 methods described above. But the most effective method is using acetone. It’s budget-friendly and doesn’t require much of an arm wrestle either.

All you have to do is take a few drops of pure acetone on a small ball of cotton. Then, rub the logo with that cotton ball. Within seconds, you’ll notice the logo is coming off!

Logos have very minimal ink compared to whole mug sublimation. So, it will take you around 5-10 minutes to remove the logo entirely. You won’t need any extra preparation for this method either. 

How To Remove Sublimation Ink From Tumblers – 6 Best Ways

Now, you’ll learn how to remove sublimation ink from a tumbler. The methods are quite similar to mug sublimation ink removals. But they differ in time, process, and precautions. Head over to the next segments to learn how these methods work.  

1. The Baking Method

The baking method is the most effective method to remove sublimation ink from a stainless steel tumbler. You need to bake the tumbler in a convection oven at 350-400℉ for 1 hour. The heat will weaken the bond between the sublimation ink and the tumbler material.

You should go for this option when you don’t need the mug immediately. It’s also a useful method to keep going with your chores simultaneously.  

Equipment Needed

1. Convection oven
2. Scraper 
3. Soft cloth

Steps

1. First, you have to wipe off any dirt and dust from the tumbler using a soft cloth.
2. Then, place the tumbler in the convection oven rack.
3. After that, you have to set the temperature between 350℉ and 400℉ for 1 hour. 
4. Check the Tumbler after 30 minutes. You’ll see the ink fading.
5. The ink should start peeling off in the next 30 minutes. If it doesn’t, you have to keep the tumbler inside for another 15-20 minutes.
6. Then, take out the tumbler and place it on a cooling rack.
7. As the tumbler cools down, take a scraper and scrape all the inks from the tumbler. You can also use your fingernails to peel off the ink.

Note

Make sure you set the temperature at the highest setting. Otherwise, the ink won’t come off. You must also wear heavy padded gloves while taking out the hot tumbler from the oven.

2. The Heat Gun Method 

If you want to speed up the process, the heat gun method can become handy. The heat gun does mostly the same job as a convection oven. But in this process, you can save time and electricity.

It’s best for application when you’re in a hurry. By applying this process, you can also sublimate the tumbler again after ink removal. 

Equipment Needed

1. Heat gun
2. Solid surface
3. Scraper 

Steps

1. For the first step, you need to find a solid surface.
2. Keep the tumbler on the surface.
3. Then, power up the heat gun and start heating the tumbler with it. Make sure to heat up the sublimated area well.
4. Keep the process going for at least 20-25 minutes. 
5. Finally, turn off the heat gun and scrape off the ink with a scraper.

Note

Never put the tumbler on a wooden surface to apply the heat gun technique. The heat will burn the wood and cause a fire hazard. 

Best Heat Gun You Can Use

If you can’t figure out which heat gun to use for removing sublimation ink, you can try the SEEKONE Heat Gun. It’s a 1800W heat gun with 2 temperature settings (122℉~1202℉) – perfect to carry out the ink removal method. 

It only takes 1.5 seconds to heat up the gun. This means you can get your work done fast. Most importantly, this heat gun has an ergonomic design. You won’t get any strains or burns on your hand.

The heat gun also comes with 4 different nozzles. So, you can easily remove sublimation ink no matter how small or large the design is.   

Note that you must set the temperature above 400℉. Otherwise, it will take more time to peel the sublimation stains. 

3. The Vinegar Method 

Using white vinegar is also an effective method for removing sublimation ink from stainless steel tumblers. The acetic acid reacts with the chemical bonds of the ink. 

You’ll need extra 20-25 minutes in this method than the heat gun method. But it’s worth it if you don’t have a heat gun at home. 

Equipment Needed

1. A large bowl
2. White vinegar
3. Water 
4. Scrubber

Steps

1. The first step is to choose a large bowl to fit the tumbler.
2. Then, fill in the bowl with white vinegar.
3. After that submerge the tumbler completely in the vinegar-filled bowl. Let the tumbler soak for at least 45 minutes.
4. After 45 minutes, take out the tumbler and gently scrub the tumbler. By this time, the tumbler will look faded and the ink will peel off. 
5. In case the ink doesn’t come off easily, you need to soak the tumbler for another 15-20 minutes.
6. Then, remove the tumbler and scrape all the ink from it.
7. Finally, rinse the tumbler under warm water to clean the residue. 

Note

You can also use hydrochloric acid (HCl) instead of white vinegar and it’ll work the same. However, remember that it’s dangerous to deal with HCl. It can burn your skin and affect your food safety. 

4. The Ink Stripping Method 

You can also strip the sublimation ink from the tumbler using a stripping gel or paint stripper. You have to use a kind of paint stripper that only interacts with the top layer of a substrate. 

It takes about 2-3 hours to remove sublimation ink in this method. The time can vary depending on the strength of the paint stripper and the sublimation ink. 

It’s especially useful when you already have a paint stripper at home. Otherwise, we recommend using other non-expensive methods discussed in this article. 

Equipment Needed

1. A Pair of Gloves
2. A flat head Paintbrush
3. Paint stripper
4. One Sheet of Aluminum foil
5. Water

Steps

1. Before you start, you need to put on your gloves first.
2. Then, apply the paint stripper using a flathead paint brush.
3. After that, wrap the tumbler with the Aluminum foil entirely.
4. Let the foil-wrapped tumbler sit for 2-3 hours. You can keep it overnight for the best results.
5. After the paints start peeling, strip or scrape off the ink from the tumbler. 
6. Finally, wash and clean the little bits of sublimation ink with warm water.  

Note

Don’t handle the paint stripper with your bare hands. It will cause you skin irritation. You can also sublimate with any kind of coating or ink you want on the blank tumbler again. 

5. The Sandpaper Method 

For stubborn sublimation inks, the sandpaper method is the solution. When any of the methods aren’t working to get rid of your tumbler sublimation, you should use sandpaper.

The sandpaper has rough edges which corrodes the sublimation inks. However, you have to scrub with it gently so that you don’t destroy the material underneath. 

Equipment Needed

1. Fine-grit sandpaper
2. Sublimated tumbler
3. Small brush
4. Warm water 

Steps

1. First, pour a few drops of water on the sublimated area of your tumbler.
2. Then, take the sandpaper and gently start scrubbing the ink.
3. Keep scrubbing until you finish scraping off all the ink. You can take breaks in the middle if you want. 
4. Then, take a small brush and dust off the scrubbed ink particles from the tumbler.
5. Finally, rinse and clean the tumbler under water. 

Note

You need to be patient with this method as it requires a hefty amount of elbow grease. Don’t use this method unless the ink stains are hard to remove.  

6. The Solvent Method

Like paint stripper, there are many solvents that weaken the bond between sublimation ink and tumbler substrate. For example, acetone will remove sublimation ink from a tumbler. 

Nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol, and other commercial sublimation ink removers also contain acetone. So, you can use all of these chemicals to correct your sublimation ink mistakes. 

Equipment Needed

1. Your preferred solvent 
2. Steel wool
3. A soft cotton cloth
4. Warm water

Steps

1. First, you need to scrub the sublimation ink with steel wool.
2. Then, take the cotton cloth and pour 3-4 drops of the solvent.
3. Now, rub the solvent-soaked cloth on top of the sublimation ink on the tumbler.
4. For speeding up the process, you a razor blade to scrape off the ink.
5. Finally, wash off the scrubbed ink residue with warm water. 

Note

Don’t scrub the tumbler too hard with the steel wool. It can put scratch marks on your stainless steel tumbler. 

How To Remove Sublimation Ink From Shirts – 4 Best Ways

Removing sublimation ink from shirts is a bit different than removing it from mugs and tumblers. You can use bleach, soda water, denatured alcohol, and acetone to remove sublimation ink from shirts. Here are the processes explained in detail for your ease. 

1. Bleaching Technique

You can either spray bleach or soak the shirt in a bleaching solution to get rid of the sublimation ink stains. This is a great technique for white shirts only. Avoid bleaching colored shirts as it can fade the dye of your shirt. 

You’ll need only 30-40 minutes to finish the removal process. However, make sure to check the washing instructions of your cloth before putting bleach on it.   

Equipment Needed

1. Cotton Pads
2. Bleach
3. Clean cloth 
4. Sponge
5. Tap water 

Steps

1. So, first, you need to take a cotton pad and soak it in bleach. Simply, pouring a few drops of bleach on the cotton ball will do the job.
2. Then, place the bleach-soaked cotton pad on the sublimation ink of your shirt. Keep it for at least 30 minutes.
3. As soon as your shirt starts absorbing the bleach, the ink will start breaking. You’ll see cracks in the ink.
4. Then, take a clean cloth and remove the ink gently.
5. Next, rinse and wash the bleach-soaked area of the shirt with tap water. 
6. Finally, clean your hands using a sponge so that there are no traces of bleach.

Note

The last step is the most crucial step for your health. If you have bleach residue on your hands, it can give you severe irritation and chemical burns. So, you should be careful while handling bleach.  

2. Baking Soda or Soda Water Solution 

Using a baking soda or soda water solution is another great ingredient like bleach. Baking soda has sodium bicarbonate which interacts with acidic chemicals such as inks. It weakens the bond and helps to remove any type of stains on the fabric.

You can consider this method as a life hack since having baking soda is common in households. It also takes only about half an hour to finish the process.  

Equipment Needed

1. Bowl
2. Baking soda
3. Water
4. Microfiber cloth or sponge 

Steps

1. First, you need to make a paste. Mix 6:1 baking soda and water in a bowl.
2. Then, take the mixture and put it on the sublimated spots. You can also submerge the shirt into a soda water solution.
3. Leave the shirt soaked in the solution for 30 minutes.
4. After that, take a damped soft cloth or sponge and dab it on the ink spots.
5. If the sublimation ink doesn’t come off, you need to repeat the process 1-2 times more.

Note

Be cautious about soaking the shirt in the solution. The soda water can fade the color of your shirt. So, it’s best to check the shirt’s manufacturer’s tags or use only white shirts for this method. 

3. Denatured Alcohol Method 

For more effectiveness, you can use denatured alcohol to remove sublimation ink from polyester. It’s a bit expensive as you might not have denatured alcohol at home always.

But it gets sublimation ink quickly from shirts with just a few dabs. It’s perfect when you’re in a hurry. Here’s how you can remove sublimation ink using denatured alcohol.

Equipment Needed

1. Cotton ball
2. Denatured alcohol
3. Soapy water solution 
4. Warm water  

Steps

1. First, you have to lay the shirt on a flat surface. Remove any wrinkles on the shirt with your hand. 
2. Then, take a small cotton ball and soak it in a denatured alcohol bowl.
3. Now, lightly dab on the sublimation ink area using the soaked cotton ball. Keep taping on the ink until it gets completely faded.
4. Then, pour some denatured alcohol on the sublimated area and air-dry it.
5. Finally, wash the shirt with a soapy water solution and warm water. 

Note

In case there’s still some ink left on the shirt, you can use a hack. Rub salt on the sublimated area and soal the shirt into a milk bowl. Keep it overnight. Finally, wash it with warm water and the ink will be gone. 

4. Heat Treatment 

Applying heat is one of the most effective sublimation ink removal techniques. And you can apply it to shirts too! By heating up your cloth, the sublimation ink will start to melt. So, it’ll be easier to remove it.

You can use a dryer to heat your shirt. However, remember that this process is lengthy and will take up the entire washing machine’s wash time.  

Equipment Needed

1. Dryer
2. Washing Machine

Steps

1. So, first, you have to put the shirt into the dryer. 
2. After a few minutes, check if the heat has melted the sublimation ink properly. 
3. Keep repeating the process until the ink has fully melted.
4. Then, put the shirt in the washing machine. 
5. Finally, wash the cloth in a high cycle. The inks will get all washed out. 

Note

Don’t have any other clothes in the dryer when you’re heating up the shirt. Otherwise, the melted ink will stain the rest of the clothes. 

How To Remove Sublimation Ink From Metals – 3 Best Ways

You don’t need any expensive products to remove sublimation ink from metal. You’ll find all the ingredients available at home.  Check out the following segments to learn how to remove sublimation ink from metal.  

1. White Vinegar Treatment

Apart from ceramic, white vinegar is also efficient in removing sublimation ink from metal substrates. With a little soaking and scrubbing, the ink comes off. You only need to spend about an hour on this method. However, you’ll need to be patient with the scrubbing.  

Equipment Needed

1. Bowl 
2. White Vinegar
3. Scrubber
4. Water

Steps

1. First, pour the white vinegar into the bowl to a level that the metal item can submerge. 
2. Then, leave the metal item in the bowl for 45 minutes.
3. After soaking, take out the item and start scrubbing the ink with a scrubber. 
4. Next, submerge the metal item in the white vinegar for another 15 minutes.
5. Take it out after 15 minutes and scrub it. All the ink will be vanished by now.
6. Finally, rinse the metal item with warm water. 

Note

Be gentle with the scrubbing so that you don’t leave any scratch marks on the metal body.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment

Apple Cider Vinegar acts like white vinegar but it takes more time to remove the sublimation ink. The process is also similar to that of the white vinegar treatment. But it’s less effective and more energy-consuming. You should only use this technique when you don’t have any white vinegar at home.

Equipment Needed

1. A bowl
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
3. Water

Steps

1. Start off by taking a bowl full of Apple Cider Vinegar.
2. Submerge the metal body in the vinegar bowl.
3. Then, wait for 60 minutes and try to scrub off the ink.
4. In case the ink is strong, you need to soak the metal substrate for 1-2 hours more.
5. Then, scrub the ink with a scrubber and it’ll come off. 
6. Finally, rinse the ink residue with warm water. 

Note

Now, even though white vinegar and Apple Cider vinegar are excellent for clearing sublimation ink from metals, don’t use it on a heat press. In case you’re wondering how to remove sublimation ink from heat press, you can use EZ-Off Iron cleaner. 

3. The Bleach Treatment

The bleach treatment is also no different than the two methods we described above. In this case, you’re using bleach to remove the sublimation ink. Overall, it can take about 2-3 hours to remove sublimation ink from the metal body. 

Equipment Needed

1. Bleach
2. Soft Brittle Brush
3. Water

Steps

1. First, you need to make a bleach solution. Take 1 parts of bleach and 10 parts of water and mix it well.
2. Then, apply the mixture on the sublimated parts of the metal substrate.
3. Wait for at least 45 minutes. 
4. Next, take a soft brittled brush and scrub off the sublimation ink.
5. If the ink is not coming off, put some more bleach solution and leave it for 15-20 minutes.
6. Repeat the process for 3-4 times until you remove all the ink particles.
7. Finally, wash the metal substrate with warm water to get it cleaned.  

Note

Be careful while using bleach. It can cause skin rashes and irritation. So, it will be a wise decision to wear gloves in this case. 

Troubleshooting Sublimation Ink Removal Challenges

Sometimes it gets hard to remove sublimation ink. Either the stain becomes strong or you don’t have enough time to spare. In these cases, it’s better to cover up your mistakes in the sublimated area. Here are a few ways you can do it. 

1. You can change the design by adding another layer of sublimation ink.
2. Covering up the sublimated mistake area with a badge or rhinestones is another idea for shirts. 
3. For coffee mugs, you can use sandpaper to turn the coffee mug into a demanding epoxy mug. 
4. Rebaking stainless steel substrates help to fade the ink.

This is how you can fix any sublimation ink mistake without removing it. 

Preventing Sublimation Ink Mishaps in the Future

To save you time and energy, we’ve also listed the prevention techniques you can use to avoid sublimation ink mistakes. Follow the points below. 

1. Follow every step of the sublimation process correctly.
2. Make sure the temperature, heat, and pressure are accurate according to the substrate.
3. Use high-quality sublimation paper, ink, and heat-resistant tapes so the ink stains accurately. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Words

So, that’s all about how to remove sublimation ink from mugs, tumblers, metals, and shirts. All of the techniques are closely related to each other. The only difference you’ll find is in applying force and different time periods. Hopefully, this article has provided you with a comprehensive guideline on sublimation ink removal for different substrates.