Writing Wrongs: How to Get Ink out of Carpet

What seems like a harmless everyday object can be catastrophic for your carpet. No matter how hard you try to keep pens away from your flooring, you're only one unfortunate misstep or over-enthusiastic budding artist away from a nasty stain. There's no use crying over spilt ink, so instead read on to find out how to get ink out of carpet.

Removing different types of ink

There are different kinds of ink, and the best method to use depends on the ink in question. Often, the packaging will tell you what kind of ink a pen uses, but if this isn't available, the type of pen can give you a clue how to get its ink out of carpet.

Water-based ink

This is the easiest type of ink to clean up. Washable pens and gel pens usually use water-based ink, because of its fabric-friendly nature.

The way to remove water-based ink from carpet is to mix a small amount of dish soap with some water. Use a cloth to blot the stained area, being careful not to smudge the ink further. Don't apply too much of the mixture, as your carpet can take a long time to dry and attract mould!

Oil-based ink

Often found in ballpoint pens and ink pots, oil-based ink can be a little trickier to clean. Not many people would guess how to get this kind of ink out of carpet, but a useful tool is alcohol-based hairspray.

Ensure that the area is well-ventilated by opening windows and doors. If possible, you should also wear a mask to protect your lungs. Once the room has enough airflow, lightly spray hairspray directly onto the stain.

Use a paper towel to blot the area, collecting the ink as it lifts from the carpet. Then, dry the area with a cloth. Keep repeating these steps until the stain is gone, but leave the windows open until the hairspray clears.

Permanent ink

Permanent markers are oil-based pens that are hard to remove by design, so the safest option is to ask a professional carpet cleaner to tackle it. You can attempt either of the above methods to get permanent ink out of carpet, but they may not be very effective.

You can also try mixing one part vinegar with two parts warm water and using this mixture to blot the stain. Then, add a light cover of baking soda and leave it for a few minutes. Finally, vacuum away the baking soda.

There are more aggressive methods that you can try but be warned that they can also remove the dye from your carpet. Always do a patch test before attempting to put any substances on your carpet!

Leave it to the professionals

A professional carpet cleaner knows how to get ink out of carpet – without any damage! Every National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) cleaner is fully trained to tackle a range of household stains. Our stamp of accreditation shows carpet cleaners who are insured and experienced at what they do.

Take a look at our UK cleaning directory to find a carpet cleaner near you.