How to Remove a Ballpoint Pen Stain

Co-authored by Rani Gorgis

Last Updated: November 3, 2022 References

Ballpoint pens leak or break easily and the ink can get everywhere in an instant. Stains can be difficult to remove, especially if they've been sitting for a while. Tackle ink stains as soon as they happen and you'll save your clothes, carpet or furniture from permanent stains. A range of products can be used to remove stains, from household items such as hairspray and rubbing alcohol to commercial cleaning products to natural items such as butter.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Using Alcohol-Based Household Items on Fabric

1
Pretest the cleaning product. Put a small amount of the cleaning product on an inconspicuous spot on the fabric. Rinse the fabric and let it dry.
2
Place a towel under the fabric. Make sure the stained area is not resting on another part of the fabric. Place a towel underneath the area on which you're working. This will ensure that the ink stain will not run through the fabric and stain more of the fabric.

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3
Apply an alcohol-based household item to the stain. Household items that contain alcohol such as hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) or cheap hairspray are good options. Apply enough of the product to cover the stain.
- Let the fabric sit for 10 minutes. Give the household product enough time to set on the stain.
- Do not use drinking alcohol on the fabric. This type of alcohol will not treat the stain.
- Although it is not alcohol-based, nail polish remover is also a good household item that can effectively remove ink stains.
4
Apply liquid detergent to the stain. After the stained area has been moistened with the household product you've chosen, add a few drops of clear liquid laundry detergent to the stain area. Rub in the detergent with your fingers or a cloth.^{[1]
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5
Wash the fabric in the washing machine. Put a regular amount of laundry detergent in the washing machine and set it to use hot water. Do not include other items in the washing machine so that you don't risk any transfer of the ink to another item.^{[2]
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6
Check the fabric before drying. The stain should be gone, but if there is still a trace, repeat the process of applying the alcohol-based item to the stain. Wash the fabric again and if the stain is gone, then proceed to dry the fabric as usual.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Using Butter on Fabric

1
Place a towel under the fabric. Make sure the stained area is not resting on another part of the fabric. Place a towel underneath the area on which you're working. This will ensure that the ink stain will not run through the fabric and stain more of the fabric.
2
Apply butter to the stained area. Rub in enough salted butter to cover the stain, using either a cloth. Rub the stained area in a circular motion, moving and frequently turning the cloth over to prevent the spread or transfer of ink.
3
Set the fabric item in the sunlight. Find a place where the item will be undisturbed and sheltered from any rain. An outside location in the direct sunlight is best. Allow the item to sit for a couple of days. The butter's oil will soften up and break up the stain. The salt from the butter, coupled with the sunlight, will help to lift the stain.
1. Wash the fabric in the washing machine. Put a regular amount of laundry detergent in the washing machine and set it to use hot water. Do not include other items in the washing machine so that you don't risk any transfer of the ink to another item.
- If the fabric is not washable (vinyl, for example), wipe away the butter with a clean damp cloth. Apply a small amount of gentle laundry detergent to the cloth to help clean off the butter.
4
Check the fabric before drying. The stain should be gone, but if there is still a trace, repeat the process of applying butter to the stain. Wash the fabric again and if the stain is gone, then proceed to dry the fabric as usual.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Using Commercial Stain Removers on Fabric

1
Buy a stain removing product. Stain removers such as OxiClean and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser are readily available at grocery and drug stores. These are designed to remove tough stains like ink, dirt, and other stains.
- Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions when using these products.
2
Pretest the cleaning product. Put a small amount of the cleaning product on an inconspicuous spot on the fabric. Rinse the fabric and let it dry.
3
Place a towel under the fabric. Make sure the stained area is not resting on another part of the fabric. Place a towel underneath the area on which you're working. This will ensure that the ink stain will not run through the fabric and stain more of the fabric.
4
Apply enough cleaner to cover the stain. Following the instructions on the cleaner's packaging, apply cleaner to the stain. Let the cleaner sit for 1-5 minutes to soak into the stain and to allow it to work on dissolving the ink.
- If you are using OxiClean, mix some of the powder with water to make a paste. Follow the instructions on the package for the correct proportions.
5
Blot with a white towel or cloth. Choose a cloth that you don't mind getting stained, since the ink will transfer to this cloth. Blot gently by pressing the cloth into the stained area. Do not rub it around or scrub, as this can spread the stain.
- Keep turning the cloth over to a fresh surface so that you are not transferring ink back onto the fabric.^{[3]
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6
Rinse with water and allow to dry. Use lukewarm water to rinse the fabric thoroughly. You may need to rinse several times. Let the fabric dry.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Using Alcohol-Based Household Products on Carpet

1
Pretest the cleaning product. Put a small amount of an alcohol-based cleaner such as cheap hairspray or rubbing alcohol on an inconspicuous spot on the wood. Wipe the area clean and let it dry.
2
Cover the stain with an alcohol-based household product. Use enough hairspray or other alcohol-based cleaner to fully cover the stain.^{[4]
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Research source} If you're using hairspray, cheap hairspray is best, as it contains a higher percentage of alcohol than more expensive hairsprays. Use cotton swabs to apply the hairspray or other household item, especially if the ink stain is a thin line.
3
Blot with a white towel or cloth. Choose a cloth that you don't mind getting stained, since the ink will transfer to this cloth. Blot gently by pressing the cloth into the stained area. Do not rub it around or scrub, as this can spread the stain.
- Keep turning the cloth over to a fresh surface so that you are not transferring ink back onto the carpet.^{[5]
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4
Rinse with water and allow to dry. Use lukewarm water to rinse the carpet thoroughly. Dip an old clean cloth into a bowl of water and wring out some of the excess water. Dab this cloth on the cleaned stain area to help rinse the carpet.
- You may need to do this rinsing process several times to fully remove the hairspray.
5
Let the carpet dry and vacuum. Leave the carpet overnight to give it time to dry. Turn up the heat in the room to help speed up the drying process. Vacuum the rug to remove any excess cleaning debris.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Using Stain Removing Products on Carpet

1
Buy a stain removing product. Stain removers such as OxiClean and Resolve are readily available at grocery and drug stores. These are designed to remove tough stains like ink, dirt, and other stains.
- Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions when using these products.
2
Blot as much of the stain as possible. Try to soak up any excess ink with an old towel or cloth. Dab gently to try to lift up the ink. Keep turning the cloth over to a fresh side so you don't transfer any excess ink back onto the carpet.
3
Pretest the cleaning product. Put a small amount of the cleaning product on an inconspicuous spot on the carpet. Rinse the carpet and let it dry.
- If your carpet is colorfast, there shouldn't be a problem using a carpet cleaning product. If your carpet is not colorfast, however, the cleaning product might remove color from the carpet fibers.
4
Apply enough cleaner to cover the stain. Following the instructions on the cleaner's packaging, apply cleaner to the stain. Let the cleaner sit for 1-5 minutes to soak into the stain and to allow it to work on dissolving the ink.
- If you are using OxiClean, mix some of the powder with water to make a paste. Follow the instructions on the package for the correct proportions.
5
Blot with a white towel or cloth. Choose a cloth that you don't mind getting stained, since the ink will transfer to this cloth. Blot gently by pressing the cloth into the stained area. Do not rub it around or scrub, as this can spread the stain.
- Keep turning the cloth over to a fresh surface so that you are not transferring ink back onto the carpet.^{[6]
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6
Rinse with water and allow to dry. Use lukewarm water to rinse the carpet thoroughly. Dip an old clean cloth into a bowl of water and wring out some of the excess water. Dab this cloth on the cleaned stain area to help rinse the carpet.
- You may need to do this rinsing process several times to fully remove the stain remover.
7
Let the carpet dry and vacuum. Leave the carpet overnight to give it time to dry. Turn up the heat in the room to help speed up the drying process. Vacuum the rug to remove any excess cleaning debris.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Using Alcohol-Based Cleaners on Wood Furniture

1
Pretest the cleaning product. Put a small amount of the cleaning product on an inconspicuous spot on the wood. Wipe the area clean and let it dry.
2
Cover the stain with an alcohol-based cleaner. Use enough hairspray, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to fully cover the stain. Use cotton swabs to apply the household product, especially if the ink stain is a thin line.
- Do not use nail polish remover on wood, as this might strip away the wood finish.
3
Rub the stain with an old white cloth. Gently rub the stain in a circular motion to work out the ink stain. Keep turning the cloth over to a fresh surface so that you are not transferring ink back onto the wood.
4
Wipe the area with a damp cloth. Use a damp clean cloth to clean the hand sanitizer or other product from the furniture. This will remove any residue from the hand sanitizer as well as any residual ink. Wipe slowly and carefully, turning over the cloth frequently to make sure that no ink is left or being transferred to other parts of the furniture.
5
Polish the wood surface. Use a natural oil or commercial furniture polish such as Pledge on the furniture to restore the wood finish. Vitamin E oil and olive oil are good natural options.^{[7]
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Research source} Pour a small amount of oil on a cloth and rub it into the wood. Let it dry completely.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I get ball point pen off of paper?

Community Answer

There are certain erasers that can rub the stain off. They are blue colored and kind of rough. Other than that, there is always correction fluid.
Question

How do I remove a ballpoint pen mark from a leather chair?

The Four Trust Company

Community Answer

Use a magic eraser and rubbing alcohol. If that doesn't work, try white Dial bar soap and hot water. You must condition the leather after use. It may take a while to come out, because you CANNOT rub vigorously without stretching the leather. Be patient.
Question

How do you remove ballpoint ink from a white leather handbag?

The Four Trust Company

Community Answer

Use a magic eraser and alcohol, and be sure to follow up with a leather conditioner. If all else fails, use Dial bar soap and hot water. Again, condition after use to prevent damage.

Warnings

Do not use flammable materials or liquids such as lighter fluid, gasoline, etc., to remove ink stains from fabric, carpet or furniture.^{[8]
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