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Removing ink stains

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Martijn Peters
Latest posts by Martijn Peters (see all)

    Removing ink stains

    An ink stain often forms in a second. A leaking pen in a trouser pocket, a fallen fountain pen, a hand that slips past a note, or a child who wants to “just quickly” draw on the sofa. And then you’re left with a stain that immediately catches the eye. Ink is notorious for being designed to remain in place. It absorbs quickly, gives off a lot of colour and, if you make the wrong move, can actually spread into a larger blur.

    When dealing with ink, it helps to react quickly, but above all calmly and precisely. Rubbing vigorously usually makes the stain larger and pushes dyes deeper into the material. Fortunately, ink can often be removed easily with the right approach. Below, you can first read about what makes ink so stubborn and what you need to pay attention to for each surface. Below you will find James’ advice for each type of surface.

    Voor deze vlekken geldt hetzelfde advies: Ink, Denim, Suede, Jeans, Printer ink, Pen, Leather, Colour stains, Dye, Clothing, Hair dye, Ecoline, Printing ink, Denim, Cartridge ink, Ballpoint pen ink, Ballpoint pen, Ballpoint, Staining, Toner

    Characteristics (anatomy) of an ink stain

    Ink consists of dyes and solvents that can quickly penetrate fibres and pores. Some inks are water-based, while others contain more oily or alcoholic components. As a result, the stain differs per pen, but the challenge is often the same: dyes adhere strongly to the surface and can spread as soon as moisture, friction or heat is applied. In textiles, ink can sink deep into fibres and run along fibre paths, resulting in a stain with ‘runners’ instead of a single clear dot. On hard floors, ink usually remains on the top layer, but can remain in the structure, scratches and seams. If you wait too long, the stain will often become darker and more difficult to remove, and a permanent shadow may remain.

    Ink stains in carpets and rugs

    Carpets and rugs are sensitive to ink because the liquid quickly sinks between the fibres and can spread along the pile. As a result, you often end up with a smudge rather than a neat dot, especially with thinner inks. With deep-pile carpets, ink can sink deeper, making the stain appear smaller on the surface than what is actually in the fibres. Ink stands out immediately as a sharp colour on light-coloured carpets, whereas on dark carpets it may initially appear less visible, but later reappears as a dull shadow or difference in sheen.

    What makes ink particularly difficult is its high colour strength. A small amount causes significant discolouration. Some inks contain components that “bond” more quickly, meaning that once dry, the stain is less likely to transfer during normal maintenance. The colour may also bleed outwards during drying, resulting in an edge that is darker than the centre. If more ink has been spilled, it can seep into the underlying layer and remain there as an invisible source, causing you to see a shadow again later, even if the surface appears lighter.

    What you need to bear in mind with carpets and rugs is that friction pushes the ink deeper into the fibres and makes the runners larger. Too much moisture can also cause the ink to spread and create a larger circle. With ink, it is important to “keep it small”: do not increase the stain area and prevent the colour from spreading over a larger area. Furthermore, you will only see whether a greyish or blue shadow remains after the paint has completely dried, so judging too early often gives a false impression.

    Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth

    You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:

    • Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
    • Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
    • Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
    • Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.

    Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth

    You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:

    • Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
    • Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
    • Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
    • Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.

    Ink stains on hard floors

    On hard floors such as PVC, vinyl, LVT, laminate and natural stone, ink usually remains on the top layer, but it can quickly form a visible mark. One wipe with a wet cloth can turn a dot into a streak. Ink can also become trapped in texture, small scratches and along edges, resulting in a blotchy pattern after drying that precisely follows the movement with which it was spread. This is particularly noticeable on matt floors because a thin layer of ink causes the floor to reflect differently.

    With laminate and click flooring, the risk is mainly at the seams. Ink can run along a seam and remain there as a dark edge that you only notice once everything is dry. With natural stone, colourants can penetrate the pores, resulting in a stain that is not only on the surface. With PVC, vinyl and LVT, an ink film can also accumulate in relief, causing a haze to appear after the first clean, which seems more pronounced in daylight.

    When working with hard surfaces, you must ensure that the ink does not spread over a larger area. A quick cleaning motion can extend the stain and push the ink into the fabric. Sanding or scrubbing vigorously is also risky, as you may damage the top layer, leaving visible differences in shine. With ink, it is often not the quantity that causes the problem, but rather the spread and residue of colour in structures and seams.

    Treatment with James Remover

    This stain can be treated with James Remover.
    Before use, always test in an inconspicuous area for color and material resistance: apply, leave for 5 minutes, clean the tested area with water, allow to dry and evaluate.

    • Spray directly onto the purpose area
    • Leave to soak for about 1 to 5 minutes
    • Then, use a white cotton cloth to remove the grease
    • If necessary, gently treat stubborn stains with a soft brush or plastic spatula.
    • After use, always clean the area with water.

    Attention: be careful when working near a glue seams. Allow James Remover to soak in shortly. Do not let the product penetrate into cracks or seams.

    Treatment with James Remover

    This stain can be treated with James Remover.
    Before use, always test in an inconspicuous area for color and material resistance: apply, leave for 5 minutes, clean the tested area with water, allow to dry and evaluate.

    • Spray directly onto the purpose area
    • Leave to soak for about 1 to 5 minutes
    • Then, use a white cotton cloth to remove the grease
    • If necessary, gently treat stubborn stains with a soft brush or plastic spatula.
    • After use, always clean the area with water.

    Attention: be careful when working near a glue seams. Allow James Remover to soak in shortly. Do not let the product penetrate into cracks or seams.

    Ink stains on upholstery fabric

    Furniture fabric is particularly sensitive to ink because the liquid is quickly absorbed into the fibres and spreads easily. As a result, you often see a stain with soft edges or runners, especially with thinner inks. On light fabrics, the colour immediately catches the eye, while on dark fabrics you sometimes mainly see a dull spot or a difference in shine. In the case of fabrics with a nap or pile direction, the stain may also appear different depending on the viewing angle, making it seem as if the stain “appears” under certain lighting conditions.

    If ink gets into the refill, the stain may reappear later. This happens, for example, when you sit on the cushion and the filling “works” again or when the furniture becomes warmer. The colour may also bleed during drying, resulting in a circle that is larger than the original stain. Some inks also create a hard edge in the fibres, making the fabric feel stiffer in that area and causing dirt to stick more easily.

    What you need to bear in mind with upholstery fabric is that rubbing will make the stain bigger and can set the dyes deeper. An excessively large moisture zone also increases the risk of rings and runners. In addition, overly aggressive treatment can alter the fabric structure, leaving a visible mark even if the colour is lighter. With ink, it is important to remain cautious and only assess whether any shadow is still visible once it has dried completely.

    Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth

    You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:

    • Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
    • Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
    • Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
    • Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.

    Treat with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth

    You can treat this stain with James Stainspray on a cotton cloth. For this you need James Stainspray and a white cotton cloth. Next:

    • Test for colour and material resistance in an inconspicuous area: apply, let it dry completely and evaluate.
    • Spray James Stainspray on a dry, white cotton cloth.
    • Use this cloth to wipe the stain using wide sweeping strokes, without spreading the stain. Repeat frequently with a clean part of the cloth.
    • Directly spray James Stainspray onto any residue and repeat the process using wide sweeping strokes.

    Would you also like to benefit from James’ effective stain removal? Discover our full range and order your James products easily online. You’ll soon be enjoying a clean and stain-free interior again!

    Frequently asked questions and myths

    There are all sorts of stories circulating about how to remove these ink stains. From granny’s remedies to persistent tips from the internet – but what really works? In this section, we answer frequently asked questions and debunk a few myths. This allows you to get started with confidence.

    Does hairspray really help with ink stains?

    This is a well-known tip, especially ‘from the old days’. The idea is that alcohol in hairspray would dissolve ink. In practice, this varies greatly depending on the hairspray, and many sprays also contain resins and perfumes that can actually leave a new layer behind. This can make the stain patchy or create a sticky spot that attracts dirt. Furthermore, in the case of upholstery fabric or carpet, it can make the edge larger because you are adding extra moisture. Therefore, it is not a reliable solution and often causes additional problems.

     

    Is alcohol always safe with ink?

    Alcohol is often mentioned because it can cause some inks to become looser. But it is not automatically ‘safe’. Alcohol can affect the colour or structure of some upholstery fabrics, and it can cause differences in gloss on floors, especially those with a matt top layer. Alcohol can also cause ink to smudge if you use too much. When people use alcohol without testing, they sometimes end up with a larger blur than the original stain.

    Why does an ink stain appear to get bigger during cleaning?

    Ink can spread through moisture and friction. As soon as you work too wet or start rubbing, the cloth absorbs ink and can release it again, causing the colour to smudge. Ink can also run along fibre paths, causing ‘spider legs’ to appear around the core. That is precisely why ink stains can quickly get out of hand if you do not remain calm and controlled.

     

    Does an eraser work on pen marks on hard floors?

    Sometimes you see this as a tip, especially for superficial scratches. The risk is that friction can alter the top layer, creating a difference in shine that you will continue to see. Especially with PVC, vinyl and laminate, an eraser can leave a matt spot or, conversely, a polished spot. You may be able to make the ink less visible, but you trade that for a spot that remains conspicuous due to light incidence.

    Can ink fade on its own if you leave it alone?

    Not usually. Ink is specifically designed to adhere and remain visible. Sometimes a stain appears less vivid because dust has settled on it or because the material has dried, but the dyes are still present in the surface. On textiles, the stain may even appear darker over time as dirt adheres to the spot. So waiting is rarely a good strategy when it comes to ink.

    Deal with any stain using the right approach from James

    Ink stains are troublesome because they spread quickly and contain strong dyes that adhere easily. By acting quickly, keeping the stain small and avoiding friction and heat, you can prevent a small pen mark from becoming a large smudge. With the right James approach for each surface, you can in many cases remove ink neatly, without leaving any permanent shadows or differences in gloss. If you are unsure about the material or type of ink, please feel free to ask for personal advice so that you can make the right choice straight away.