How to Get Ink Out of Carpet

An ink stain on carpet can mean bad news if you don't treat it quickly.

Perhaps one of the most horrifying things you can spill onto your carpet is ink. You can actually make the stain worse by using large circular motions to try and clean it up, as this will only spread the ink to a wider area of carpet. Containing the area of the ink spill is your first priority, then you can start the process of actually absorbing the excess ink out of the carpet.

Things You'll Need

• Ammonia
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Container or drinking glass
• Clean towel or rag
• Clean white cotton towel
• Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)

Instructions

1. Mix a solution of 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 1 part ammonia. Stir the mixture slightly in a glass or container to combine thoroughly.

2. Pour the ammonia and peroxide mixture in a circle around the outside edge of the ink stain. This acts as a barrier, and helps prevent the ink from bleeding and expanding into more of the carpet.

3. Blot the outer edge of the ink stain with a dry towel. Push down slightly to try and absorb the ink as you push in towards the middle of the stain. Work from the outer edge of the stain to the middle of the stain. This stops the ink from seeping into more carpet fibers. Dab the entire way around the outside perimeter of the stain.

4. Pour some isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) onto a clean, white cotton towel. Make sure the towel is damp with alcohol, but not dripping.

5. Push the edge of the towel down into the stain and blot the entire area. Keep blotting the stain with the towel until no more ink is being absorbed by the towel.

6. Dampen another cotton towel with hydrogen peroxide. Blot any remaining stain with the peroxide and towel. Rinse the area with a water and a clean towel. Allow the area to dry overnight.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Ink Cartridge Stains
• Housecleaning Central: Removing Ink Stains From Carpet
• Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster -- Ink, Ballpoint