Ballpoint pens easily leak or break so the ink can spread everywhere in an instant. Ballpoint pen stains can be difficult to remove, especially if they've been on for a long time. Treat pen stains immediately on clothes, carpets, or furniture so they don't leave permanent stains. You can use a variety of products to remove stains, from household items like hairspray and rubbing alcohol, to commercial cleaning products, to natural ingredients like butter.
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Method 1 of 6: Using Alcohol-Based Household Goods on Fabric
Step 1. Do the test first
Apply the cleaning product to the hidden areas of the cloth, then rinse and let the cloth dry.
Step 2. Place the towel under the cloth
Make sure the stained area doesn't stick to the rest of the fabric. Place a towel under the area you want to clean. This is to ensure that the ink stain does not spread to other parts of the fabric.
Step 3. Apply an alcohol-based household item to the stain
Some household items that contain alcohol and can be used as a cleaner include hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), or inexpensive hairspray. Apply the product in sufficient quantity to cover the stain.
- Let the product sit on the fabric for 10 minutes. Allow a few minutes for the household product to soak into the stain.
- Do not use alcoholic beverages on the fabric. This type of alcohol cannot remove stains.
- Although not alcohol based, nail polish remover can also be used to remove ink stains well and effectively.
Step 4. Apply liquid detergent to the stain
Once the stained area has been moistened with a household product of your choice, apply a few drops of liquid detergent to the stained area. Rub the detergent with a cloth or finger.
Step 5. Wash the cloth in a washing machine
Put the normal amount of detergent in the washing machine as usual and set the machine to wash with hot water. Do not put other items in the washing machine so that the ink stains do not transfer to them.
Step 6. Check the fabric before you dry it
The stain on the fabric will go away, but if it still leaves a mark, repeat rubbing alcohol on the stain. Wash the cloth again, and dry the cloth as usual when the stain is gone.
Method 2 of 6: Using Butter on Fabric
Step 1. Place a towel under the stained cloth
Make sure the area doesn't stick to the rest of the fabric. Place a towel under the area you want to clean. This is to ensure that the ink stain does not spread to other parts of the fabric.
Step 2. Apply butter on the stained area
Use an unused cloth to rub in enough salted butter to cover the stain. Scrub the stained area in a circular motion. Keep moving and replacing with a new scouring cloth to prevent the ink stain from spreading further.
Step 3. Put the fabric in the sun
Look for a place that is not disturbed and protected from rain. The best location is in a place exposed to direct sunlight. Let the cloth sit there for a few days. The butter oil will soften and break down the stain. The salt content in butter and exposure to the sun will help lift the stain.
Wash the cloth in a washing machine. Put the normal amount of detergent in the washing machine as usual and set the machine to wash with hot water. Do not put other items in the washing machine so that the ink stains do not transfer to them
If the type of fabric is non-washable (such as vinyl), wipe the butter off with a clean, damp cloth. Apply a small amount of mild detergent to the cloth to help remove the butter
Step 4. Check the fabric before you dry it
The stain will go away, but if it still leaves a mark, repeat buttering the stain. Wash the cloth again, and dry the cloth as usual when the stain is gone.
Method 3 of 6: Using a Commercial Stain Remover on Fabric
Step 1. Purchase a stain remover product
You can buy stain remover products like Rinso Anti Stain and OxiClean at grocery and drug stores. This product is designed to remove stubborn stains such as dirt, ink, and various other stains.
Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer when you use this product
Step 2. Do a test first on this cleaning product
Apply the cleaning product to the hidden areas of the cloth, then rinse and let the cloth dry.
Step 3. Place a towel under the cloth
Make sure the stained area doesn't stick to the rest of the fabric. Place a towel under the area you want to clean. This is to ensure that the ink stain does not spread to other parts of the fabric.
Step 4. Apply sufficient amount of stain remover to cover the stain
Apply the cleaning product following the directions on the package. Allow the product to soak into the stain for 1 to 5 minutes to allow the ink stain to dissolve.
If you use OxiClean, make a paste by mixing this cleaning powder with water. For a proper comparison, follow the directions on the packaging
Step 5. Dry with a towel or white cloth
Use a cloth that is not being used because the ink stain will be transferred to this cloth. Dry by pressing the cloth gently against the stained area. Do not rub or rub it because the ink stains can spread.
Replace with a new cloth so that the ink does not stick back to the cloth being cleaned
Step 6. Rinse with water and let the cloth dry
Rinse the cloth thoroughly using warm water. You may have to rinse it a few times. After that, let the cloth dry.
Method 4 of 6: Using Alcohol-Based Household Products on Carpets
Step 1. Do a test first on this cleaning product
Apply a small amount of an alcohol-based cleaning product, such as inexpensive hairspray or rubbing alcohol, on the hidden areas of the fabric. Wipe the area clean and let the cloth dry.
Step 2. Apply an alcohol-based household product to the stain
Use enough hairspray or other alcohol-based cleaner to cover the stain. If you use hairspray, choose cheap hairspray because it contains more alcohol than expensive hairspray. Use a cotton swab to apply hairspray or other products, especially if the stain is streaky.
Step 3. Dry with a towel or white cloth
Use a cloth that is no longer in use as the ink stain will be transferred to this cloth. Dry by pressing the cloth gently against the stained area. Do not rub or rub it because the ink stains can spread.
Replace with a new cloth so that the ink does not stick back to the carpet you cleaned
Step 4. Rinse with water and let the carpet dry
Rinse the carpet thoroughly using warm water. Dip a clean, unused cloth in the water and wring out the excess water. Rub this cloth on the stained area to help clean the carpet.
You may have to rinse several times to completely remove the hairspray from the carpet
Step 5. Let the carpet dry and vacuum with a vacuum cleaner
Let the carpet dry overnight. If you have a space heater, turn it on to speed up the drying process. Vacuum the carpet to remove any remaining dirt.
Method 5 of 6: Using a Stain Removal Product on Carpet
Step 1. Purchase a stain remover product
You can buy stain remover products like Rinso Anti Stain and OxiClean at grocery and drug stores. This product is designed to remove stubborn stains such as dirt, ink, and various other stains.
Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer when you use the product
Step 2. Vacuum and dry the stained area of the carpet
Try sucking up the ink stain with an unused cloth or towel. Gently wipe to remove ink stains. Replace with a new cloth so that the ink does not stick back to the carpet.
Step 3. Do a test first on the cleaning product you use
Apply a small amount of cleaning product to the hidden areas of the carpet. Rinse the carpet and let it dry.
You can use carpet cleaning products if your carpet does not fade. However, if you have carpet that is faded, cleaning products can discolour the carpet fibers
Step 4. Apply an adequate amount of cleaning product to cover the stain
Apply the cleaner to the stain following the directions on the package. Allow the cleaner to soak into the stain for 1 to 5 minutes to dissolve the ink.
If you use OxiClean, make a paste by mixing this cleaning powder with water. For a proper comparison, follow the directions on the packaging
Step 5. Dry with a towel or white cloth
Use a cloth that is not being used because the ink stain will be transferred to this cloth. Dry by pressing the cloth gently against the stained area. Do not rub or rub it because the ink stains can spread.
Replace with a new cloth so that the ink does not stick back to the carpet you cleaned
Step 6. Rinse with water and let the carpet dry
Rinse the carpet thoroughly using warm water. Dip a clean, unused cloth in the water and wring out the excess water. Rub this cloth on the stained area to help clean the carpet.
You may have to rinse several times to completely remove the stain remover from the carpet
Step 7. Let the carpet dry and vacuum with a vacuum cleaner
Let the carpet dry overnight. If you have a space heater, turn it on to speed up the drying process. Vacuum the carpet to remove any remaining dirt.
Method 6 of 6: Using an Alcohol-Based Cleaner on Wood Furniture
Step 1. Do a test first on the cleaning product you use
Apply a small amount of cleaning product to the hidden wood. Wipe the area and let it dry.
Step 2. Apply an alcohol-based cleaner to the stain
Use enough hairspray, rubbing alcohol, or hand sanitizer to cover the ink stain. Use a cotton swab to apply the cleaning product, especially if the ink stain forms a thin line.
Do not apply nail polish remover to the wood as this product can remove the varnish
Step 3. Use an unused white cloth to rub the stain
Gently rub the stain in a circular motion to remove it. Replace with a new cloth so that the ink does not stick to the wood again.
Step 4. Use a damp cloth to wipe the stained area
Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe hand sanitizer or other cleaning products off the furniture. This will remove any hand sanitizer and ink stains that have stuck to the wood. Wipe gently and carefully, and use a fresh cloth surface to ensure that no ink stains remain or move to other parts of the furniture.
Step 5. Polish the wood surface
Use natural oils or a commercial furniture polish like Pledge to restore shine to wood. Vitamin E oil and olive oil are also great natural ingredients. Put some oil on a cloth and rub it on the wood. Let the wood dry completely.
