How to Remove Red Stamp Pad, Red Ballpoint Pen, and Red Ink Stains

Red ink stains, whether from a stamp pad or a ballpoint pen, can be a nightmare to remove. Follow these tips to treat these stains and prevent yourself from seeing red.

Remove Red Stamp Pad, Red Ballpoint Pen, and Red Ink Stains From:
Acetate, Carpet (synthetic and wool),
Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate, Wool

Sponge (the method of using a dampened pad to apply light strokes, moving outward from the center of the stain) the area immediately with water to dilute the ink. Apply a wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia. (Use ammonia with care on silk and wool.) Cover with an absorbent pad dampened with the wet spotter. Let the pad remain as long as any stain is being removed. Change the pad as it picks up the stain. Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) well with water and repeat if necessary. If after drying, a stain persists, mix Rit Color Remover according to package directions. After testing on a hidden seam, flush it through the stain to an absorbent pad beneath. When dealing with carpeting, sponge the color remover on the stain and blot with an absorbent pad. Rinse well with water and allow to dry thoroughly.

Remove Red Stamp Pad, Red Ballpoint Pen, and Red Ink Stains From:
Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic,
Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Spandex

How To Make Wet And Dry Spotters
Dry spotter:
To make a dry spotter, combine 1 part coconut oil (available at pharmacies and health food stores) and 8 parts liquid dry-cleaning solvent. This solution may be stored if the container is tightly capped to prevent evaporation of the solvent. Mineral oil may be substituted for the coconut oil, but is not quite as effective.
Caution: Dry-cleaning solvents are poisonous and may
be flammable.

Wet spotter:
To prepare a wet spotter, mix 1 part glycerine, 1 part white dishwashing detergent, and 8 parts water. Shake well before each use. Store wet spotter in a plastic squeeze bottle.

Soak the item in a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing detergent, and 1 tablespoon ammonia for 30 minutes. Rinse well. If stain remains, soak in a solution of 1 quart warm water and 1 tablespoon white vinegar for 1 hour. (Take care when using vinegar on cotton and linen.) Rinse well and allow to dry. If stain has set, apply rubbing alcohol to the area (dilute with 2 parts water for acrylic or modacrylic) and tamp (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials). As stain loosens, blot liquid and stain with an absorbent pad. Keep both the stain and pad moist with alcohol and change pad as it picks up the stain. Allow to dry. As a last resort for any remaining stain, pretest Rit Color Remover in an inconspicuous place, then apply to the stain. Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) the solution through the stain and into an absorbent pad beneath. Rinse well with clear water and
allow to dry.

Remove Red Stamp Pad, Red Ballpoint Pen, and Red Ink Stains From:
Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Bamboo, Cane, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Glass, Paint (flat and gloss), Plexiglas,
Polyurethane, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Wallcovering

Immediately wipe up the spill with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water. Rinse well and wipe dry.

Remove Red Stamp Pad, Red Ballpoint Pen, and Red Ink Stains From:
Alabaster, Marble

Immediately wipe up the spill with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water. Rinse well and wipe dry. If a stain remains, soak an absorbent pad in rubbing alcohol, wring almost dry, and place over the stain. Wait 5 minutes and apply an absorbent pad soaked with ammonia and squeezed until damp. Alternate pads until stain has been removed. Wipe surface with cloth moistened with clear water and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Remove Red Stamp Pad, Red Ballpoint Pen, and Red Ink Stains From:
Asphalt, Cork, Linoleum, Vinyl Tile

Wipe up any excess ink with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water. Rinse well and wipe dry. If a stain remains, cover the stain with an absorbent pad soaked in rubbing alcohol. Let it remain in place for several minutes, then wipe the area with a cloth dampened with ammonia. (Do not use ammonia on linoleum or vinyl floor tile.) Rinse well with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. Wipe with a cloth moistened with clear water and allow to dry.

Remove Red Stamp Pad, Red Ballpoint Pen, and Red Ink Stains From:
Bluestone, Brick, Concrete, Flagstone,
Granite, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate,
Terrazzo

Wipe up the excess. Wash with a solution of washing soda or detergent (not soap) and water. Use a cloth or soft-bristled brush to help scrub. Rinse thoroughly with clear water and allow to dry.

Remove Red Stamp Pad, Red Ballpoint Pen, and Red Ink Stains From:
Grout

Wipe up excess with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. If any stain remains, dip a wet toothbrush into baking soda or powdered cleanser and gently scrub the stain. Rinse well with water and wipe dry.

Remove Red Stamp Pad, Red Ballpoint Pen, and Red Ink Stains From:
Leather, Suede

Ink spilled on these materials will act immediately on the hide. Once contact has been made, it is impossible to remove.

Remove Red Stamp Pad, Red Ballpoint Pen, and Red Ink Stains From:
Wood

Mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds. Dip a cloth in only the foam and gently wipe up the ink. Rinse with a clean cloth moistened with clear water. Polish or wax as soon as possible.

Trying to remove a red ink stain can be a real horror story, but by following these cleaning tips for ink stain removal, your stain experience can have a happy ending.