How to Remove Ink Stains: Tips

White dress shirt with blue ink stain from a pen in the pocket — Ink stains happen, but they don't have to be permanent. Learn how to safely remove ink stains from any material. Lew Robertson / Getty Images

Have you been the victim of an ink stain? Try not to explode along with your pen. Instead, learn how to get pen ink out of clothes and other surfaces with these cleaning methods.

The first step in removing an ink stain is to identify the type of material or surface that is stained. Then use the following tips for optimal ink stain removal.

Contents

Non-washable Fibers
Washable Fibers
Porous Surfaces
Alabaster or Marble
Stone Surfaces
Bamboo, Cane or Painted Surfaces
Grout
Leather or Suede
Linoleum and Vinyl Tile
Wallpaper
Wood

Non-washable Fibers

Follow these steps to remove stubborn stains from acetate, burlap, carpet, wool, fiberglass, rayon, silk, triacetate or wool. Keep in mind that fresh ink stains are easier to remove than ones that have had plenty of time to set.

Sponge the stain with water, using light strokes with a dampened pad working outward from the center of the stain.
Try a light spray of hair spray to loosen the stain, then apply a wet spotter and a few drops of white vinegar.
Let stand for 30 minutes, blotting every 5 minutes with a clean, absorbent pad. Add wet spotter and vinegar as needed to keep the stain moist.
Flush with water. This means applying stain remover to loosen staining materials and residue from stain removers.
If the stain persists — after all, permanent ink stains can be particularly defiant — apply rubbing alcohol to the stain and cover with an absorbent pad moistened with alcohol. Let it stand as long as any stain is being removed. Change the pad as it picks up the stain. Flush with alcohol. Do not use alcohol on acetate, rayon or triacetate.
If stain traces remain, sponge area with water and apply a wet spotter and a few drops of ammonia. (Do not use ammonia on silk or wool.) Let stand for 30 minutes, blotting every 5 minutes. Add enough wet spotter and ammonia to keep the stain moist. Flush with water and allow to dry.

Washable Fibers

Use the following steps to remove ink stains from clothes made of acrylic fabric, cotton, linen, modacrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester or spandex.

Try a light spray of hair spray to loosen the laundry stains.
Soak in a solution of 1 quart (1 liter) warm water, 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) dishwashing detergent, and 1 tablespoon (14.8 mL) white vinegar for 30 minutes. Use care when applying vinegar to cotton and linen.
Rinse with water and allow to dry.
If the stain persists, apply rubbing alcohol to the stain and cover with an absorbent pad moistened with alcohol. (Use alcohol sparingly on acrylic and modacrylic.) Let stand as long as any stain is being removed. Change the pad as it picks up the stain. Keep both the stain and pad moist with alcohol. Flush with alcohol and allow to dry.
If any trace of stain remains, repeat Step 2, then rinse thoroughly with water and allow to dry.

Porous Surfaces

Follow these steps to treat ink stains in acrylic plastic, glass, ceramic/tile, cork, glass, plexiglass, polyurethane, porcelain dishes, porcelain fixtures, vinyl clothing or vinyl wall coverings.

Apply an all-purpose spray cleaner, following label directions.
If any trace of stain remains, cover area with a compress sprinkled with ammonia.
Rinse well and wash with a cloth or paper towel dipped in warm, sudsy water.
Rinse again and allow to dry.

Alabaster or Marble

Follow these steps to remove tough stains from alabaster or marble.

Wipe the surface with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm, sudsy water.
Rinse well and wipe dry.
If any trace of stain persists, apply an absorbent pad dampened with rubbing alcohol.
After several minutes, replace the pad with one moistened with ammonia.
Continue alternating alcohol and ammonia treatment until stain is removed.
Rinse well and wipe dry.

Stone Surfaces

Use the following steps to remove ink stains from asphalt, bluestone, brick, concrete, flagstone, sandstone, slate or terrazzo surfaces.

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.

Bamboo, Cane or Painted Surfaces

Wipe with a cloth dipped in a solution of mild pure soap and water to which a few drops of ammonia have been added.
Rinse well and dry thoroughly.

Grout

Wipe stain with a cloth dipped in warm, sudsy water.
If an ink stain persists, dip a wet toothbrush into a little baking soda or powdered cleanser and gently scrub.
Rinse well and wipe dry.

Leather or Suede

Ink stains on leather or suede may be permanent, but try the following steps before you throw out the item! Caution: There is no guaranteed way to remove this stain from these materials.

On leather, apply a cleaner labeled specifically for use on leather. On suede, try gingerly applying a dry-cleaning solvent. Dab it on with a clean cloth, after testing on a hidden seam.
Allow to air dry.
On leather only, follow apply a leather conditioner to soften the material and prevent cracking.

Linoleum and Vinyl Tile

First, apply an all-purpose spray cleaner according to package directions.
If any ink stain remains, cover the area with a compress of rubbing alcohol.
Rinse with clear water.
If the stain persists, rub the area with superfine (No. 0000) steel wool dipped in liquid floor wax.
Wash the stained area with soapy water, dry, then wax as usual.

Wallpaper

Try removing any ink with a soft eraser such as Magic Rub. Work in small movements to avoid tearing the paper.
If the stain persists, wipe the area with a cloth or sponge moistened with cool clear water. Overlap the strokes to avoid streaking.
Use a clean cloth to gently pat dry.

Wood

Mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make lots of suds.
Dip a cloth in only the foam and gently wipe the stain.
Rinse with a clean cloth moistened with clear water.
If a stain remains, rub the area with superfine (No. 0000) steel wool dipped in liquid wax. Rub lightly, because steel wool will remove a fine layer of the surface.
Polish or wax as soon as possible.

This article was updated in conjunction with AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

Removing Ink Stains FAQs

How do I remove ballpoint ink from clothes?

First try a light spray of hair spray. If that doesn't remove the ink, you can soak it in isopropyl alcohol and rinse with warm, soapy water.

How do you remove ballpoint pen from leather?

Ink stains on leather may be permanent. But you can try blotting the stain with a damp rag and soapy water. If that doesn't help, you can try a leather cleaner. No matter what you try, after the leather dries, you should condition it after with a saddle soap.

How do you get ink out of cotton fabric?

Cotton is rather delicate so avoid scrubbing to remove the ink. Blot rubbing alcohol, hairspray or hand sanitizer directly on the ink to dilute it. Then wash as usual.

How do you remove stains from plastic?

If you have a fresh ballpoint ink stain on plastic, it can be removed rather easily by simply wiping it down. If the stain has dried up, add 1 tablespoon (14.8 mL) chlorine bleach into 1 cup (236.6 mL) water and mix thoroughly. Soak the plastic for 30 minutes.

How do you remove pen ink from skin?

Just wash it off with soap and water, or use a cotton ball soaked with isopropyl alcohol or nail polish remover and scrub it off.