How to Remove a Ball Point Pen Stain

Ball point pens are common in offices, schools and anywhere that pens are necessary. Although an uncapped ball point pen is less likely to cause damage than some of its cousins like the rollerball and the fountain pen, it can still mark anything that is pressed against it. The ink from ball point pens can stain clothing and requires special treating. The best way to remove ball point pen ink is to use an alcohol-based solution.

Things You'll Need

• Paper towels or rags
• Rubbing alcohol
• Water

Instructions

1. Place paper towels or rags underneath the clothing item that needs to be cleaned.

2. Wet the ink stain with the rubbing alcohol.

3. Dab away the stain with more paper towels or rags. If the ink stain is large, work from the outside in so that you don't spread the stain.

4. When the stain is removed, flush thoroughly with water and allow to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have any rubbing alcohol on hand, hairspray, which is alcohol-based, works as well.

• For small marks, apply the rubbing alcohol with cotton swabs, dabbing at the stain with them.

• Always test the alcohol on a hidden part of the fabric first for colorfastness.

References

• Tips for Removing Ball Point Pen Ink