Getting out Ink Stains from Carpet or Upholstery can be scary if you don’t understand ink. Here are some helpful tips on How to remove Ink Stains from Carpet or Upholstery in Birmingham AL.
If you have ever gotten an ink stain in the pocket of a shirt, you probably know that getting it wet with water will make a small ink spot spread into a huge stain, just like in the photo. This is an important fact about ink stains and understanding the chemistry of ink will help you to remove it without making it worse.
Ballpoint pens use permanent non-water based ink and can be one of the toughest stains to remove, but it is not impossible. If you do get an ink stain on a shirt, or your living room couch, or even your carpet read the steps below before you “throw in the towel” and think you will need to replace all of them.
Although ink is hard to get out it is not impossible, and understanding that ink spreads faster than bad news means you can prevent this from happening. Remember that even a tiny ink spot has the potential to grow 100 times its size in seconds. So, containing the spot is the key.
And the answer to containment is to surround the ink stain with a barrier.
To do this you will need to make an ammonia/hydrogen peroxide solution.
Mix a 50/50 solution (about 1 teaspoon each) of household strength ammonia (without color and fragrance) and 3% hydrogen peroxide. You can make a little more if you need to, just keep the amounts even.
Swish the mixture in a small glass cup then use a dropper of some sort or a spoon and slowly apply drops of the mixture around the perimeter of the ink stain. You only need a small amount, about 1/4 of a teaspoon to a teaspoon. The hydrogen peroxide creates an area of confinement which will keep the ink from spreading wildly when you start to apply the cleaning solvent.
Note: You should not use ammonia on natural fiber such as wool, silk, linen or cotton. So, if working with these fabrics, only use hydrogen peroxide to create a barrier.
Once the ink spot is contained, you can apply a cleaning solvent such as one of the following:
- Hairspray
- Nail polish remover with acetone
- Rubbing alcohol
Use paper towels or a clean absorbent cloth to gently blot the cleaning solvent onto the stain.
Stain removal involves removing a little of the stain with each application. You may need to repeat using the cleaning agent quite a few times before you see success. If you are seeing progress and the stain is being removed, the process should be repeated.
Continue to repeat the process until the ink stain is gone.
If you are not comfortable removing a ballpoint ink stain from carpet or upholstery, you can always call a professional carpet cleaner such as Heaven’s Best Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning. We have professional strength cleaning solvents that can get out ink stains as well as markers, red dye, coffee, tea and all sorts of other stains. Along with getting out the spot, we can clean and deodorize your carpet or upholstery so they look and smell great. If you don’t have the time to try the steps above for How to remove Ink Stains from Carpet or Upholstery in Birmingham AL, give Heaven’s Best a call at (205) 618-9150. We can make your carpet and furniture look like the accident never happened. Call us today or use the form below to contact us immediately.
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