How to Remove Ball Point Pen Ink

Ball point pen ink is not a something that you can usually remove with simple soap and water, but there is an easy and inexpensive way to remove pen ink from surfaces or clothing.

Materials You Will Need

• rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)
• shaving cream (if the alcohol doesn't remove the ink)
• hairspray (if neither the alcohol nor shaving cream works)
• non-flammable dry cleaning fluid (another option)

Ink Removal Instructions

1. Dab rubbing alcohol onto the ink.
2. Allow a couple of minutes for the alcohol to penetrate the surface and react with the ink.
3. Blot the ink stain using layers of white paper towels or a cloth that has been dampened in either alcohol or water.
4. If the alcohol is ineffective, try using foaming shaving cream.
5. If the shaving cream doesn't work, hairspray usually will remove ink, but it should only be used as a last resort because hairspray damages some surfaces and fabrics.
6. Non-flammable dry cleaning fluid may remove certain inks. If you use dry cleaning fluid to remove a stain, rinse the area with water afterwards.

Gel ink pens use an ink that is made to be permanent. Alcohol will not remove gel ink, nor will acid. Sometimes it is possible to wear away gel ink using an eraser.

Ink stains in wood usually involve gouges in the wood, which makes it harder to get to the ink. Be sure to remove all traces of alcohol from the wood after the ink has been removed, rinse the affected area with water, and condition the wood to help reverse the drying effects of the alcohol.