How to Remove Ink Stains from Carpet

By Steve Gillman

You can remove many ink stains from carpet using rubbing alcohol. It will work better if it is 90% isopropyl alcohol, but you can try the ones that are 70% if that's what's available. In either case, ink will come out much more easily if you catch the spill and treat it shortly after it happens.

First of all, don't pour rubbing alcohol on your carpet. Apply it to a white cotton cloth and dab the stain carefully, so you don't spread the ink. Suck it out after a few minutes using a shop-vac, or, if you use a cloth, blot carefully. Don't rub!

Repeat the process until you remove the stains from the carpet, or until you get no more transfer to the cloth. In the latter case it may not be possible to remove the stain completely, although you can try a commercial cleaning solvent.

Always Rinse and Extract Carpet Stains

When you remove ink from carpet, or any other stains, using a solvent other than water, be sure to rinse the area and extract the water. Again, vacuuming out the water is quicker, and less likely to damage your carpet, but you can use a clean white cloth to blot the moisture out also. Rinse, extract, repeat.

Finally, dry the area quickly. There may still be some ink hiding deep in the fibers. Quick drying prevents this remaining ink from wicking up to he surface of the carpet where it can become visible again. Paper towels work well to get the moisture out, and a fan left blowing on the area will complete the process.

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