How to Get Ink Out of Carpet in 6 Ways

We're about to tell you how to get ink out of carpet and remove unwanted stains using some useful methods. If you are wondering how to deal with water-based inks and permanent inks, you're at the right place.

Carpets are made to enhance the beauty of your house and add some sort of comfort to the flooring. With all the positives, they are also prone to damage, and ink spill is one common occurrence.

If you have kids, then you know what we are talking about. Children love to use markers and roam around the house, showing their artistry. You are likely to find ink smudges on walls and carpets no matter what you do. Don't stress out if you end up in this mess.

How to Get Ink Out of Carpet: Water-Based Inks

Imagine spilling ink on your carpet and not having a local store nearby to treat the markings with ready-made ink removers for the carpet cleaning solution. What can you do in such circumstances?

Don't sweat it, be creative, and utilize what you have. Most houses will have laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid. If you have either one, then follow the steps below. It's good to keep these items around because it's how to get coffee out of carpet, too, among other stains.

Step 1: Create a Dish Soap Mixture

Grab a bowl and pour some warm water in it. Now take the dishwashing liquid and add 1 teaspoon to the bowl, then mix it with the water. Keep in mind that water alone can work well on ink stains, but we want a more potent solution, and a small drop of dishwashing liquid will work wonders.

Step 2: Blot the Stain's Surface

Whenever it's about treating residues on carpet surfaces, there is no better technique than blotting. It stops you from spreading the mess as you soak out the discoloration.

Here you will need a fresh cloth to soak into the solution you previously made. Then use the cloth to dab on the spilled ink area. When dealing with ink, you must not rub; just blot the surface.

Step 3: Repeat the Process

After each dab, you are likely to see the ink coming onto the cloth. This means the solution is working and slowly taking off the ink from the carpet. Keep repeating the technique until the ink is removed from the carpet.

We prefer that you act quickly whenever there is any spill. Delaying the cleaning process will allow the ink to settle deep and make it hard for you to remove it. You don't want it to set in.

How to Get Ink Stain Out of Carpet: Permanent Ink

Gel pens and sharpies are known to have permanent inks and are very tacky to whatever surface they come in contact with due to the resins that help it bind to paper (not to mention the insoluble color pigments). This won't budge with only water or detergent; you better try a more potent mixture. Let's see what you need to do.

Step 1: Prepare an Ammonia Mix

Take a spray bottle and fill it with water, and make sure it's warm water. Now, look for ammonia liquid if you have any present in your house. You can also purchase a larger amount of ammonia from the store and hang on to it because it's a superior chemical that can help you get rid of other types of stains, too. It's critical in how to get glue out of carpet, for example. Put 1 tablespoon of ammonia in the water and shake well.

Step 2: Spray the Stained Area

From a distance of nearly 20 cm, spray the mixture on the affected area of the carpet. Give it some time to work its way into the stain and chemically act upon the discoloration. Fifteen minutes is enough time.

If you're concerned, you can test the spray on a portion of the carpet that goes unseen, like in the back corner of a bedroom closet. You should have no problems but you want to make sure you head color fastness, meaning you won't take the color out of the carpet as you start blotting.

Step 3: Blot Repeatedly

As we said, there is no alternative to blotting. When the ammonia mix has been sprayed and given time to work, dab it on the surface with a clean cloth. Repeat the process until the ink residues are taken off. You'll see the ink being transferred to your clean cloth, assuring you it's working.

Step 4: Remove the Remaining Ammonia

Now to make sure that no ammonia is left behind, get a bowl and fill it up with water and add a small amount of laundry detergent. Then soak a cloth and blot the affected area again. This will make sure the excessive ammonia is taken out from the surface and neutralized. Use a new cloth to dab to dry the area continuously.

Removing Ink Stains From Carpet: Ball-Point Ink

Ballpoint ink will require a little different treatment to be effaced successfully. This is what you need to do regarding ball-point ink stain removal from carpet. When this kind of ink pen explodes it can make quite the mess, but don't worry. This is how to get ink out of carpet.

Step 1: Get Lacquer Hair Spray

If you have lacquer hair spray, then you are game; if not, you can purchase it easily online or at the store. Hair spray might not be the most effective ink remover out there, but in times of need, it can work well and gives you another angle of attack. Sometimes, you'll need to use more than one method to completely remove a stain, so give it a shot.

Step 2: Spray the Ink Stain

You will need to soften the ink that is sitting on the carpet. To do that, spray the hairspray evenly as much as you need. Give it a few minutes to work its way into the ink stain.

Step 3: Dab the Area

Take a clean towel and use it to blot the affected area. This will help remove the hairspray solution from the surface and the ink attached to it. Keep repeating the blotting process unless you see there is no ink left.

Step 4: Dry the Carpet

Whenever you treat an ink stain, it is wise to dry the carpet afterward. Use a vacuum to suck out all the harsh residues that can still cling to the carpet fabrics. The above method and the final vacuum process will ensure there is no ink contamination remaining on your favorite carpet.

Other Treatments for Getting Ink Out of Carpet

Are there any other procedures that you can use to remove ink from the carpet? Yes, there are a few options that can help. Apart from the 3 methods we mentioned in this article, you can also try the likes of…

Rubbing Alcohol

Believe it or not, rubbing alcohol can be a clever option to utilize. Soak some rubbing alcohol on a piece of a cotton ball. Let the wool absorb the alcohol, and then start the process of dabbing the stain. After a few dabs, let the alcohol solution stick to the surface for 5 minutes.

Finally, you'll need to rinse the spot with warm water. Make sure to dry the affected area using a fresh cloth by blotting the wet parts. Repeat as needed until the discoloration is satisfactorily decreased.

Distilled White Vinegar

You've probably heard the use of white vinegar solution to remove mustard stains on carpet or remove ketchup stains on carpet, too. It can be used to eliminate many kinds of stains, including ink marks.

To make it work, use a spray bottle and fill it up with distilled white vinegar and water in equal parts. Now spray on the area you need to take care of. Leave it for a few minutes, and then rinse it with warm water. Now to put an end to it, dab the area with a clean towel, and you will have a dry and stain-free carpet.

Baking Soda

Yes, baking soda can work in some cases. First, apply water to the affected area to dilute the surface. Then sprinkle baking soda and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then use a plastic spoon or anything similar to pick out the residues gently. Finally, blot the overall affected area using warm water and a paper towel.

That’s How to Get Ink Out of Carpet!

Don't get disheartened if you mistakenly fumble and drop ink on a carpet. It could be your error or your kids' playful behavior with pens and markers that can exhibit ink marks. In such cases, we recommend that you don't panic about the tarnished carpet, as we have shared how to get marker out of carpet as well. In reality, the stains are tough but can be completely removed.

Stop restricting your kids' ink play just because you are worried about stains. Keep calm. Follow the instructions properly to come up with an ultra-clean carpet in no time.

How to get ink out of carpet? The answer is you can try out dishwashing liquid and water to treat water-based ink. For permanent ones, try out ammonia mixed with water. This article was written to pinpoint every step that can help you get rid of ink from carpet surfaces and do some DIY tricks.

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