How to Remove Ink From Carpet

You can remove ink from a carpet using something you probably already have in your home: rubbing alcohol. The best rubbing alcohol to use is one that is 90% isopropyl alcohol, but you can also use the 70% solution. Since ink permeates the fibers immediately, treating the stain quickly is the best way to get rid of the stain.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Soft white cloth
• Water
• Vacuum or Shop Vac

Instructions

1. First apply the rubbing alcohol to the white towel. Dab at the stain carefully so as not to spread it.

2. Vacuum the carpet after you have dabbed it with the rubbing alcohol. Using a Shop Vac type of vacuum really sucks out all of the water and alcohol.

3. Blot the carpet again with a clean white cloth. Do not rub the stain. Repeat this process until you completely remove the ink stain from the carpet, or until you get no more of the stain onto the cloth. If you cannot get all of the stain out using the rubbing alcohol, you may need to try a carpet cleaner. This may help a little bit more, but probably not much more than you already got using the rubbing alcohol.

4. Clean the area with fresh water to make sure you don't leave any of the cleaner/alcohol in the carpet. You can take the water out of the carpet just by using clean paper towels and keep blotting until the water is gone and the carpet is almost dry. You can also use a fan to keep air blowing across the carpet to help it dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a clean paper towel each time you blot and a clean white cloth each time you blot so you do not transfer any of the pick-up onto the carpet.

• Always test whatever you are using (rubbing alcohol or carpet cleaner) in an inconspicuous spot first before applying it to the carpet.

• Get to the stain quickly.