Ink Stain Removal Hints

Ballpoint inks, especially blue, consists of so many, various "ink recipes" that it is impossible to know the various solvents, resins, and oils consisting in just one. With patience and persistence, most of these inks are removable through experimenting with different solvents. Others are indelible, and your situation may be hopeless leaving permanent stains. However, the methods below will either remove or lighten these ink stains.

Apply (do not rub) a solvent type cleaner by blotting it onto stain with a clean, white terrycloth washcloth. This type of cleaner should lift up the stain. By loosening stain and immediately blotting it up, the stain should not spread.

1. Treat a thickly folded absorbent white cloth or towel with Hair Spray, dab the affected area with cloth, and blot with dry towel simultaneously
2. Treat a thickly folded absorbent white cloth or towel with Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, dab the affected area with cloth, and blot with dry towel simultaneously.
3. Treat a thickly folded absorbent white cloth or towel with Nail Polish Remover or Acetone, dab the affected area with cloth, and blot with dry towel simultaneously
4. Treat a thickly folded absorbent white cloth or towel with Spirits of Turpentine, dab the affected area with cloth, and blot with dry towel simultaneously
5. Treat a thickly folded absorbent white cloth or towel with Afta® or Carbona®, dab the affected area with cloth, and blot with dry towel simultaneously
6. If one solvent cleaner does not adequately solve the problem, move down to the next in the order these cleaners are given. NEVER apply solvents directly onto surface.

Note: Always test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness, etc. before treating the exposed area. Also note that certain stains are permanent.

For more cleaning and stain removal tips and hints, please visit our cleaning community forum where experts are ready to help answer your questions.