Remove Ink from Carpet

Carpets can certainly enhance the looks of your interiors. But this home accessory needs regular maintenance and care. It can house dust and debris and may also get stained. Carpet stain removal can be a tough task for those who do not have any idea about it. Anything like juice, wine, coffee, paint and ink, can cause stains on carpet. Ink stains are considered one of the most stubborn stains, but in most cases, you can remove ink from carpet with some simple remedies.

How to Remove Ink Stains From Carpet

Ink stains are often thought to be the toughest ones for removal. Ink, primarily being a dye, can easily stain paper, clothes, leather and carpets. There are various kinds of inks and most of the types we use today have quick drying properties and are found to leave a permanent mark, once dried. However, ink stain removal is possible, if dealt with immediately. Follow these simple steps, in order to remove ink from carpet.

Blot the Fresh Ink
As mentioned above, it is always better to work on ink stains immediately, so as to prevent it from seeping into the carpet. Start with blotting the wet ink with paper towels, or soft cloth. Never rub such carpet stains, as the ink may seep into the deeper layers of the carpet. If the stain is large, blot from the outer edges to the center. You may also use a spoon to remove the ink spilled onto the carpet, if it is in excess.

Use a Solvent
Once you are done with the blotting, apply a solvent to remove ink from carpet. Add a small quantity of milk to the ink stain and gently rub it with a brush. The next step is to blot the milk with a soft and clean cloth or a damp paper towel. The paper towel or cloth will absorb the ink stains along with the milk. If this solution does not work, use a soft cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol and blot the stain. Some people use 3% hydrogen peroxide as a solvent, but you have to leave it on the stain at least for an hour, before blotting. If all these solvents fail to remove ink stains from carpet, you may use a carpet cleaning solution made of equal amounts of Oxiclean and rubbing alcohol. While using a solvent, you have to make sure that the carpet should not be soaked with the solvent.

Clean the Stained Part
Once the stain is removed from the carpet, you have to clean the stained area, so as to get rid of the solvent. If the solvent is left on the carpet, it can damage the carpet by gathering dust and dirt. Use clean water to remove traces of solvent in the stained area. Blot out the water several times, before air drying the carpet. A fan can be used to air dry the carpet. Once the carpet gets dry, vacuum it, so that the stained area retains its texture. This method of carpet stain removal can also be applied for dry ink stains. In such cases, allow the solvent to remain on the stain for sometime, before blotting.

In short, it is easy to remove ink from carpet with the help of the above said steps. But if the manufacturer has given any stain removers with the carpet, you have to use them. Otherwise, you can contact the manufacturer for this purpose, especially if the carpet is quite expensive. In case of expensive carpets, it will be better to seek professional help for carpet ink stain removal. Another important thing to remember is to test the solvent or cleaning solution on a small portion of the stain. If it is causing any damage, then, refrain from using it. It is always better to avoid harsh solvents for carpets, as they may fade its color. If the carpet is made of synthetic fibers, then, an oil solvent will be more effective for removing ink stains. As different types of carpets may react differently to these solvents, try to find out the best way to remove ink from carpet. The above said methods can be effective for carpet ink removal, easily and quickly. If these methods fail, then, professional expertise will be required.