How to Remove an Ink Stain From a Rug or Carpet

We’ve all been there. Either you’ve dropped an ink pen or stepped on one and the ink is everywhere. Ugh! Ink stains can be a pain to remove from carpet. Why? Ink contains chemical properties such as pigments, dyes and lubricants that make the removal tougher than most household products. The sooner you get to cleaning up the stain, the better. This way, the ink doesn’t have time to soak into the carpet, making it even more difficult to remove.

Denatured alcohol is a great secret weapon to get out tough ink stains because of its heavy-duty cleaning properties. Denatured alcohol also evaporates quickly, which will help avoid damage to the padding underneath the carpet. It differs from rubbing alcohol in that it contains roughly 10 percent methanol, which is very poisonous. However, denatured alcohol is better for cleaning than rubbing alcohol because it works and dries faster. Just make sure to keep it away from children and pets.

Step 1: Blot the Stain

If the ink stain is fresh, use a light-colored rag to blot as much of the stain up as possible. Be careful! Make sure not to press the fresh stain deeper into the carpet.

Step 2: Soak With Alcohol

A dry stain will need to be soaked in denatured alcohol for at least five minutes. Do not pour too much alcohol on the stain. Apply enough to cover the stain, and allow it to soak down about half an inch. The alcohol will penetrate the stain but it can also go deeper and harm the padding under the carpet if you are not careful. Once the alcohol has soaked for a minute, take a clean rag and begin blotting more ink from the stain. Repeat this process a few times. Add alcohol, wait then blot.

Step 3: Use a Toothbrush If Needed

If there seem to be some fibers that the alcohol is not reaching, take an old toothbrush and gently massage the alcohol into the stubborn fibers. Let the alcohol sit for five minutes, then begin blotting more ink up again.

Step 4: Use a Vacuum

You may not be able to get all of the ink out of the carpet just by blotting and massaging. A wet/dry vacuum can make this process much quicker and much more effective. Add the alcohol, and let it sit for five minutes. Once it has had a chance to soak in, vacuum up the alcohol and ink with the wet/dry vacuum. Note: Be sure not to have a filter inside your vacuum. Filters are for dry cleaning only, and removing the filter will allow the vacuum to suck up liquids. This process of soaking and vacuuming is very similar to what professional carpet cleaners use. Repeat this process as many times as necessary. This should completely remove that pesky ink stain.

Be patient and persistent when tackling an ink stain. It may take several applications of alcohol and blotting or vacuuming for the stain to completely go away. If the stain still persists, call in a professional cleaner to do the job.