Maybe you've found circle stains from coffee cups on expensive books. Or accidentally put an important document on a dirty kitchen table until it gets stained with oil. Or maybe a sheet of paper in a library book has cut your hand until it bleeds. Do not panic! This article will show you how to remove the stain without damaging the paper.
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Method 1 of 4: Preparation Cleaning
Step 1. Act immediately
This is the most important step in the stain removal process. The faster you clean, the better the results. Stains that are left on for a long time will start to sink in, making them more difficult to remove.
If the stain on the paper has dried and soaked into an expensive or irreplaceable item, restoration is still possible. However, it is more difficult and possibly dangerous for inexperienced people. If the methods in this article are not enough to remove the stain, contact a professional archivist
Step 2. Observe the damage
Can it still be saved? Removing relatively small stains is usually still possible. You can clean up the tea sprinkling, but there's not much you can do to save a book drenched in a pot of tea.
Step 3. Determine the type of stain on the paper
Before doing anything, consider the type of stain on the paper. The type of stain will determine how to clean. This article contains how to clean three types of stains in general, namely:
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Water based stains:
This group of stains is probably the most common. These stains cover most beverages such as coffee, tea, and soda. This liquid has the properties of a coloring agent that leaves pigment after drying.
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Oil or grease stains:
These stains are caused by oil, such as oil used for cooking. These stains are generally more difficult to clean than water-based stains because they leave a clear oil stain on the paper.
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Blood stains:
whether it's the result of a paper cut on a finger or a nosebleed, blood often stains the book. Although blood is technically water based, special techniques must be employed to prevent permanent yellow stains from forming.
Method 2 of 4: Removing Water Based Stains
Step 1. Absorb as much of the impurity liquid as possible with a dry tissue
Replace the tissue with a new one if it is wet with liquid. Be careful when absorbing the liquid to minimize the size of the stain on the paper and not make it wider. Gently press the tissue up and down to avoid damaging the paper.
Step 2. Wipe and dry the waterproof surface and place the paper there
Make sure the place is really clean or the stains on the paper will only add up. Place the waterproof object on the paper at two or more corners. This step is useful for minimizing wrinkles on the paper.
Step 3. Moisten a clean tissue and again gently pat it onto the surface of the stain
Repeat this step with the new tissue until the stain is no longer on the tissue. Most of the pigment in water-based stains that haven't dried will only be removed this way. However, if there are still smudges on your paper, proceed to the next step.
Step 4. Prepare a diluted vinegar solution
Mix half a cup of white vinegar with half a cup of water in a bowl. Most types of vinegar will stain the paper. So, make sure to choose a really clear vinegar. This step should be done away from the paper to avoid spilling and making the stain worse.
Step 5. Wet a cotton ball with the vinegar solution and gently pat it on a small part of the document
Check if the ink on the document has faded. Some books are printed with ink that doesn't smudge, but some do. Just in case and to be sure, try patting a cotton ball against the most hidden part of the paper.
- If the ink on the paper wears off, continuing to try to remove the stain may actually damage it.
- If the ink on the paper does not bleed onto the cotton ball, continue to the next step.
Step 6. Blot a cotton ball on the stain
Any remaining pigment should be dissolved by the vinegar and lifted off the paper. If the stain is large and dark in color, you may have to repeat this step with a new cotton ball after the first one is dirty. Using a new cotton ball will prevent the stain from spreading.
Step 7. Pat a dry tissue over the previously stained area
Let the paper dry on its own. If the object you just cleaned was a page in a book, open the book to that page. Use weights to hold both sides of the freshly cleaned paper together.
Method 3 of 4: Cleaning Oil Stains
Step 1. Absorb the remaining oil with a tissue
As with water-based stains, try to act as soon as possible. Oil stains generally don't absorb as easily as water-based stains, but they can spread quickly. To make sure your hands are clean of oil, wash them before moving on to the next step.
Step 2. Fold the tissue so that it is at least two pieces and is wider than the stain
Place the tissue on a clean, hard surface. As a precaution if oil seeps from the tissue, be sure to choose a place where it won't be damaged by the oil. The best place to do this step is on a kitchen counter, glass counter, or metal table. Avoid doing it on wooden furniture.
Step 3. Place the paper on the tissue
Make sure the stain is on top of the tissue layer. It's a good idea to place the stain in the center so that there's still about 1cm of paper towel covering the clean area around the edges of the stain. This clean area will help absorb the stain if it expands a little over time.
Step 4. Fold the second layer of tissue and place it over the stain
As with the first layer of tissue, make sure to fold it into at least two sheets. Again, make sure there is still about 1cm of clean area left around the stain. This step is very important so that the oil does not contaminate the object in the next step.
Step 5. Place the weight book on top of the second layer of tissue
We recommend using a hardback book or a dictionary. However, any flat heavy object can be used instead of a book. If the oil stain is on the book, cover the book with a layer of tissue inside and place the second book on top.
Step 6. Pick up the book after a few days
The oil stain may have completely disappeared. However, if there are still visible stains, try replacing the paper towels with new ones and returning the book to the top layer for one night. If the oil stain remains, continue to the next step.
Step 7. Sprinkle enough baking soda on the paper to completely coat the stain and leave it overnight
Add enough baking soda to build up the stain. If the paper still shows up from the baking soda pile, add more! An absorbent powder that doesn't leave any other stains can also be used in this step.
Step 8. Remove the baking soda from the paper and check for stains
Repeat steps 7-8 with fresh baking soda until the stain on the paper is completely gone. If you have tried several times and the oil stains are still visible, you may need to take the paper to a professional restoration specialist. Just keep in mind that their service fees may be quite expensive.
Method 4 of 4: Removing Blood Stains
Step 1. Soak up as much of the spilled blood as you can with a cotton ball or clean tissue
If the stain is not caused by your own blood, be careful and wear protective gloves throughout this step. Some pathogens in the blood can continue to infect for several days outside the body. Dispose of all cleaning tools that have blood on them carefully.
Step 2. Wet a cotton ball with cold water and pat it against the surface of the stain until it is wet enough
If possible, cool the water with ice first. Never use warm or hot water to clean blood! If you use hot or warm water, the temperature will actually make the blood seep and make it a permanent stain.
Step 3. Blot the wet stain with a clean cotton ball
Pat a cotton ball up and down the area until it's clean. Do not dab a cotton ball on a dry stain, as this can damage the paper.
Step 4. Repeat steps 2-3 until the blood is no longer on the cotton ball
You may have to do this a few times. You may only need to do that step to remove any new stains. However, if the stain is still visible, continue to the next step.
Step 5. Purchase a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
Repeat steps 2-3 but with hydrogen peroxide instead of water. Repeat as needed. Don't be tempted to use bleach on blood stains as it can damage the proteins in the blood and leave a yellow stain.
