Ask Me Help Desk - Ink stain on the carpet

Ink stain on the carpet

How do I remove an ink stain on the carpet??

I use WD 40 to get the ink out and rubbing alcohol to get the WD 40 out.

Try lestoil.

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredmanvan

I use WD 40 to get the ink out and rubbing alcohol to get the WD 40 out.

And that works?? WOW... I've never heard that before... The alcohol seems like it would stain my carpet though... No?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOWERMAN2468

try lestoil.

What's that?

Yes it really does work. This method can be used on carpet for any oil based stain. No it will not harm your carpet no matter what color the carpet is. As I said in an earlier post the WD 40 takes out the stain and the rubbing alcohol takes out the WD 40 residue.

Try this with a white clean lint free cloth and see what it will do for you. I have used this method for years with great success.

Best of luck,

Van

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredmanvan

Yes it really does work. This method can be used on carpet for any oil based stain. No it will not harm your carpet no matter what color the carpet is. As I said in an earlier post the WD 40 takes out the stain and the rubbing alcohol takes out the WD 40 residue.

Try this with a white clean lint free cloth and see what it will do for you. I have used this method for years with great success.

best of luck,

Van

I will try it as soon as I get some WD40 and Rubbing Alcohol... Thanks for the great advice!

Try hairspray... blot, do not rub. Or I have heard of using the white foamy shaving cream... same instructions. I read somewhere that you always blot a stain.. do not rub it, that will smear it and make it harder to get out.

Just for clarification and completeness in the thoughts here, I would like to know what the source of the ink was and what kind of carpet it is that the stain is on, please? Knowing those two things could make a difference as far as the removal of the stain. I do think that you have overall been given some good ideas above, though. But, I think that it would be helpful to know exactly what we are dealing with here.

rpg219--Thank you, I will try both things, as I actually have those handy. If they don't work I will try the WD40 thing.

Clough--The source of the stain was a rambungious chihuahua and an ink pen, she loves chewing on them and it drives me nuts. And as far the type of carpet, I am unsure... typical apartment stuff... kinda beigy.

Thank you for the clarification, Mamma! If you do try the blotting, please know that you may have to do that many times and also with a fresh rag or cloth each time. Another thing that you might want to consider, is if there are any extra pieces of the carpet somewhere, that you could always cut out a section of where the stain is and then insert a new piece of carpet using a glue appropriate to adhering the backing of the carpet to the flooring beneath it.

Based upon what you have described the carpet as being, typical apartment stuff, I am assuming not a Berber or surgical weave of any kind, but rather the about an inch high kind with the sponge backings that one would find used in most apartments, it's not hard to cut out and insert pieces so that you can't tell that an insert has been placed there.

Just some additional thoughts and possible options for you here...

Thanks Clough.

There's no additional carpet anywhere. I actually had a huge piece used for my back door mat, but the rain ruined it and I tossed it... But that probably would have worked.

I'm mostly concerned because I plan to move out in six months (I just renewed my lease), and the carpet was brand new when I moved in... So I would be charged a lot if that stain is still there.

Ok. I do understand, Mamma. In addition to normal chemicals that you might find around the house to use, such as WD-40, rubbing alcohol, hairspray and shaving cream, there are a number of other products that you might want to try. Since a couple of the things that I do for living is that I refinish furniture and also am a house painter, I would be more likely to know about them.

A couple of liquids to try that are specific to cleaning up spills and spots would be Oops! And Goof-off. These are products that you would normally find at a paint and/or hardware store. Also, you could try lacquer thinner or xylene, (xylol). Also, normally available at most paint and/or hardware stores.

I hesitate to mention these products because it would be better to see what normal household things people would come up with in order to solve your problem. The four harsher chemically based products that I have now mentioned, you would need to read and follow the safety precautions closely. After using any of them, you would need to just clean the area with a clean rag or small sponge, dish soap and hot water.

Since we don't exactly know what kind of ink it is, then the type of product used could make a difference.