How to Remove Felt Tip and Indian Ink Spots: Tips and Guidelines

Finding a felt tip ink or Indian ink stain on a household surface is enough to make even the coolest host flip their lid. Learn stain removal techniques while maintaining the grace and style even Martha would admire.

The first step in removing ink stains is to identify the stained material.

Below are the most common types of materials that can become ink-stained, with steps on how to remove ink from each:

Non-washable fibers such as Acetate, Burlap, Fiberglass, Rayon, Rope, Silk, Triacetate or Wool
Other fabrics such as Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen or Modacrylic
Hard surfaces such as Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Asphalt, Bamboo, Cane, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Enamel, Glass, Paint (flat or gloss), Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Porcelain Dishes, Porcelain Fixtures, Stainless Steel, Vinyl Clothing or Vinyl Wallcovering
Alabaster or Marble
Stone surfaces such as Bluestone, Brick, Concrete Flagstone, Granite, Limestone, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate, Terrazzo
Carpet (synthetic or wool)
Porous surfaces such as Cork, Linoleum or Vinyl Tile
Special fabrics such as Felt, Fur (natural or synthetic), Leather or Suede
Grout
Synthetic fabrics such as Nylon, Olefin, Polyester or Spandex
Wallpaper
Wood

Non-washable Fibers

Follow these steps to remove ink stains from Acetate, Burlap, Fiberglass, Rayon, Rope, 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 with a dry-cleaning solvent such as K2r Spot Lifter (except on acetate blends) or Afta Cleaning Fluid, then apply a dry spotter to the stain.
Cover with an absorbent pad moistened with dry spotter. Be sure to keep the stain from bleeding.
Change the pad as it picks up the stain.
Keep the stain and pad moist with dry spotter.
Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining material and residue from stain removers) with one of the liquid dry-cleaning solvents.
If stain persists, sponge with water and apply a wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia. (Do not use ammonia on silk or wool.)
Cover the stain with an absorbent pad moistened with wet spotter.
Change the pad as it picks up the stain.
Keep both the pad and stain moist with wet spotter and white vinegar.
Flush with water and repeat as necessary.
Allow to dry. Note: Permanent inks are almost impossible to remove.

Other Fabrics

Follow these steps to remove ink stains from Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic:

Sponge the area with a dry-cleaning solvent such as K2r Spot Lifter or Afta Cleaning Fluid.
If stain remains, mix a paste of powdered detergent, water, and a few drops of ammonia. Apply to the stain.
Place an absorbent pad under the stain.
When no more stain is being removed, flush thoroughly with water and launder. Note: Permanent inks are almost impossible to remove.

Hard Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove ink stains from Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Asphalt, Bamboo, Cane, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Enamel, Glass, Paint (flat or gloss), Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Porcelain Dishes, Porcelain Fixtures, Stainless Steel, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Wallcovering:

Wipe the surface with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water to which a few drops of ammonia have been added.
Rinse well with clear water and wipe dry. Note: Permanent inks are almost impossible to remove.

Alabaster or Marble

Follow these steps to remove ink stains from alabaster or marble:

Wipe surface with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water to which a few drops of ammonia have been added.
Rinse well and wipe dry.
If stain persists, apply a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol; allow it to stand for 15 minutes.
Next, apply a cloth soaked with ammonia for 15 minutes.
Alternate alcohol and ammonia applications until stain is removed. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry.

Stone Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove ink stains from Bluestone, Brick, Concrete Flagstone, Granite, Limestone, Masonry Tile, Sandstone, Slate, Terrazzo:

Wash stain with a solution of washing soda or detergent (never soap) and water.
Use a cloth or soft-bristled brush to help scrub.
Rinse thoroughly with clear water and allow to dry.

Carpet

Follow these steps to remove ink stains from carpet:

Blot as much stain as possible without forcing it deeper into the pile.
Sponge the stain with a concentrated solution of carpet spotter such as either Stain-X Carpet Stain Remover or Afta Carpet Stain Remover. Caution: Never rub ink stains on carpet.
Continue to sponge the area, rinsing the sponge as it picks up the stain. Repeat until no more stain is removed.
If the stain persists, have the rug professionally cleaned.
Repeated applications of a liquid all-purpose cleaner solution also will help remove the ink. Note: Permanent inks are almost impossible to remove.

Porous Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove ink stains from Cork, Linoleum, Vinyl Tile:

Cover the stain with a compress made with rubbing alcohol.
Let the compress remain in place for 5 minutes.
Wipe the area with a cloth dampened with ammonia. Do not use ammonia on linoleum or vinyl tile.
Rinse well with water and allow to dry. Note: Permanent inks are almost impossible to remove.

Special Fabrics

Follow these steps to remove ink stains from Felt, Fur (natural or synthetic), Leather or Suede:

Due to the nature of the material involved, this stain cannot be removed by a nonprofessional.

Grout

Follow these steps to remove ink stains from grout:

Wipe stain with cloth dipped in warm sudsy water.
If stain remains, dip a wet toothbrush into a little baking soda or powdered cleanser. Gently scrub the spot.
Rinse and wipe dry.

Synthetic Fabrics

Follow these steps to remove ink stains from Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Spandex:

Sponge stain with detergent solution immediately. Then apply cleaners such as K2r Spot Lifter or Afta Cleaning Fluid.
Sprinkle lemon juice and salt over the stain and leave for 1 hour.
Rinse well, repeat if necessary, and launder as soon as possible.

Wallpaper

Follow these steps to remove ink stains from wallpaper:

Try erasing light marks with an art-gum eraser or a suede stone, an abrasive cleaner. Remember not to push hard.
If stain remains, rub area lightly with a dry steel wool soap pad.
If the stain persists, rub very gently with baking soda sprinkled on a damp cloth. Then wipe the area with a cloth or sponge moistened in cool clear water.
Overlap strokes to prevent streaking. Use a clean pad to gently pat dry.

Wood

Follow these steps to remove ink stains from wood:

Dilute oxalic acid in warm water and apply with an artist's brush to the stained area. Caution: Oxalic acid is poisonous, so wear rubber gloves when applying it.
On painted surfaces, wipe with a cloth moistened with detergent suds.
For unpainted or stripped surfaces, after applying the oxalic acid, neutralize the area with white vinegar and rinse with rubbing alcohol. Allow to dry. Note: Permanent inks are almost impossible to remove.