How to Get Ink Out of a Vinyl Tablecloth

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Things You'll Need

  • All purpose cleaner

  • Cloth

  • Soap

  • Water

  • Cotton ball

  • Rubbing alcohol

  • Paper towels

  • Hairspray

  • Lemon juice

  • Cream of tartar

  • WD-40

  • Ammonia

Vinyl tablecloths are easier to manage and clean than fabric tablecloths, and are ideal for young children who have not learned to keep their food on their plates. However, they sometimes get stained with substances that are not so easy to wipe off--like ink. The nature of the material limits the type of substances you can use to clean it, but there are some substances that will take the ink stain out. These include some household products and the ever-useful WD-40.

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Step 1

Apply an all-purpose cleaner to the ink spot. Rub gently with a cloth, then wash clean with a wet cloth dipped in soapy water. Repeat the process if the stain remains.

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Step 2

Dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and dab the ink spot. Wipe the loosened ink off with paper towels, and repeat the process until the area is clean.

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Step 3

Spray a small amount of hairspray on the stained area, and let it sit for a few minutes. Rub the ink off with a cloth. Wipe clean with a cloth and soapy water.

Step 4

Use kitchen ingredients. "For stubborn stains, make a paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar and work it into the stain," according to author Linda Cobb in "How the Queen Cleans Everything: Handy Advice for a Clean House, Cleaner Laundry, and a Year of Timely Tips." Rinse the paste off after a few minutes and let the tablecloth dry completely.

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Step 5

Pour a small amount of WD-40 onto a cotton ball and scrub the ink off the vinyl. Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth.

Step 6

Apply ammonia to a cloth and place the cloth on the stain. Let it rest for a few minutes. Rub the ink stain until it lifts off the vinyl. Follow with a cloth dipped in soapy water. Let the tablecloth dry.

Tip

Use small, circular strokes when you are cleaning the stain to avoid spreading the ink to surrounding areas.

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