How to Get Rid of Pen Ink Stains

Work quickly to get rid of pen ink stains.

Pens are a necessary part of our everyday life. An unfortunate consequence of their flawed design is that no matter how careful you are when using them it is easy to get ink marks or stains not only on your hands, but on your clothing and other surfaces as well. Knowing how to remove these stains can help save your personal items from ruin.

Things You'll Need

• Shortening
• Soap
• Nail polish remover
• Cotton balls
• Washcloth
• Towels
• Toothpaste
• Hairspray
• Laundry or bath soap
• Rubbing alcohol
• Leather conditioner

Instructions

On Skin

1. Smear shortening that's used for cooking on your ink-stained skin. Rub the shortening over the ink until the stain has lifted and wash the area with soap and water.

2. Pour nail polish remover onto a clean cotton ball or washcloth if the stain has not completely lifted using the shortening. Wipe the cotton over the area that has the ink stain. Several passes with slight pressure may be necessary to completely remove it.

3. Wash the cleaned area with soap to completely remove the nail polish remover. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel.

On Washables Using Toothpaste

1. Place a small amount of cream toothpaste directly on the ink stain.

2. Rub the fabric together, applying pressure as you do so, and work the toothpaste into the ink.

3. Rinse the clothing under cool water to remove the stain. Repeat the process until all of the pen ink has been removed and then launder as usual.

On Washables Using Hairspray

1. Soak the material with hairspray as soon as possible. Saturate the entire stain.

2. Rub a bar of laundry or bath soap over the saturated ink stain. Scrub the area with the soap to work it into the ink.

3. Rinse the spot under running cold water until all of the soap has been removed. Place the garment into your washing machine and wash it as you normally would to remove any remaining ink.

On Car Leather

1. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. Wipe over the ink mark in a gentle circular motion. Stop when the ink has lifted.

2. Wet a towel so that it is damp. Wipe the towel over the area to remove any lingering alcohol.

3. Dry the damp area with a clean dry cloth and recondition the leather using leather conditioner if necessary.

References

• Reader's Digest: 10 Ink Stain Solutions
• Good Housekeeping: Ink Stain on Car's Leather Interior
• "Haley's Hints"; Graham Haley, Rosemary Haley, David McNiven; 204