Are Bingo Daubers Washable?

We’ve all been there – we’ve perhaps got a little over-zealous over a game of bingo and dropped it in our lap, or worse still, had a dauber fall into the wrong hands of a minor!

Ink stains on clothing are never a good look, so before you take up the hobby, it’s good to check if bingo daubers are washable.

The science behind bingo dauber ink

The good news is, bingo daubers are totally washable. Rather than something stronger like a permanent marker, bingo daubers have been designed to be translucent to display the bingo numbers on your playing sheet.

This is great news for those who do have a little playing accident – whether your bingo dauber comes in green, blue, yellow or even fluorescent pink, it’s no match for a normal wash with the rest of your clothing.

Just make sure you throw in a colour catching sheet to be extra safe.

The reason that bingo dauber ink does not stain (and is non-toxic) is because it's made of pigment as opposed to dye. Dye, as the name suggests, is a permanent solution that has been chemically formulated to stain fabrics, making them resistant to water and to detergent (to a certain degree).

Pigment, on the other hand, is made up of a fine powder and isn't permanent. This contains colourant particles in a solid form which have been suspended in a liquid carrier.

Any pens using pigment ink have been specially designed to interact with paper instead of water, making them well suited to bingo cards but unlikely to stick around if any water comes into contact with the ink – for example, if your clothes are being laundered in a washing machine.

Getting bingo dauber ink out of other surfaces

It’s one thing to throw a bingo ink-stained shirt into the washing machine, but it’s another to get a bingo dauber stain out of the carpet! In situations like this, you’ll just need a few household ingredients.

Start by putting dry baking soda onto the stain to absorb the moisture. Then, vacuum this up before taking to the stain with a little rubbing alcohol (make sure to test an area which will not be seen often first).

Finally, add a mixture of white wine vinegar and detergent – one tablespoon each – with warm water and gently rub the stain. Pat the area dry after the final ink has been removed.