The 10 Best Solutions to Get Any Ink Out of Your Carpet

Tackle pen, cartridge, marker, and tattoo ink spots like a pro

Co-authored by Haim Shemesh and Cheyenne Main

Last Updated: April 10, 2024 Fact Checked

Removing an ink stain from a rug or carpet might seem daunting, but there are several methods that can make it disappear in minutes. The most effective way to lift any ink stain is to apply rubbing alcohol. If you don’t have rubbing alcohol available, you can also try using hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, or even cornstarch and milk. Keep reading for the fastest and easiest ways to get ink out of your carpet.

Best Way to Get Ink Out of Carpet

Put on rubber gloves and make sure the room is well-ventilated. Saturate a paper towel with rubbing alcohol, then lay it on top of the ink stain. Place 1 to 2 dry paper towels on top and apply pressure to the stain. Replace the paper towels when the ink soaks through, repeating until the stain disappears.

1

Rubbing Alcohol

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Dab any kind of ink with rubbing alcohol to remove it. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a paper towel, lay it on top of the stain, and place 1 to 2 other paper towels on top. Apply pressure to the stain, replacing the paper towels when the ink soaks through. ^{[1]
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Research source} Repeat until the stain disappears.
- Wear rubber gloves and keep the room well-ventilated to avoid inhaling potentially harmful fumes. ^{[2]
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- Apply the alcohol to a sponge and test it on a corner of the carpet before applying it to the stain.
- Alternatively, use isopropyl alcohol. ^{[3]
  X
  Research source} Butyl alcohol might work better than rubbing alcohol if the ink is from a ballpoint pen or stamp pad. ^{[4]
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  Research source} Denatured alcohol (methylated spirits) can also work on ballpoint pen ink. ^{[5]
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2

Hydrogen Peroxide

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Dab any ink stain with a cotton ball dipped in hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can turn ink stains invisible. ^{[6]
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Research source} Simply pour hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball and dab at the stain. Repeat until the stain is gone.
- Hydrogen peroxide can also get ink from a liquid ink cartridge out of carpet. ^{[7]
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- Alternatively, sprinkle hydrogen peroxide on the stain, place a damp cloth on top, and iron over the cloth to pull the ink into the cloth. ^{[8]
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3

Cornstarch and Milk

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Apply a milk cornstarch paste on tattoo ink or dried ink stains. Mix cornstarch and milk to make a paste, then carefully spoon the paste on top of the ink stain, making sure to cover all the stained fibers. Wait 30 minutes or until the paste is hardened, then brush it off the area with your fingers and vacuum up the paste. ^{[9]
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- If the stain is still there after, repeat this method or try another in this list. ^{[10]
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- Cornstarch absorbs the molecules of the stain and also works well on grease and food stains. ^{[11]
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4

Ammonia

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Use ammonia, water, and laundry detergent on permanent ink stains. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of ammonia . Hold the bottle 8 inches (20 cm) away and spray the area liberally. Blot with a damp cloth, then fill a bowl with warm water and 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of laundry detergent. Dab the area with a sponge dipped in the solution until the stain disappears. ^{[12]
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- Use ammonia on synthetic carpets only—natural fibers like cotton, wool, or linen might become damaged. ^{[13]
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- Test the ammonia on a small area first before applying it to the stained area.
- Alternatively, mix 1 part ammonia with 1 part hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the area with a paper towel or sponge. ^{[14]
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5

WD-40

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Spray a lubricant like WD-40 on permanent and oil-based ink. WD-40 can remove permanent and oil-based ink from carpet. ^{[15]
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Research source} Spray the stained area with WD-40 and let it sit for 5 minutes. ^{[16]
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Research source} Dab the stain with a sponge dipped in warm soapy water, then soak another sponge in water and dab to remove the ink and soap. ^{[17]
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- Allow the area to dry completely, then use your fingers to fluff the carpet fibers.
- Test the WD-40 on a small area first to make sure it won’t harm your carpet.

6

Dish Soap

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Apply warm water and mild dish soap to water-based ink spots. Mix ¹ ⁄ ₄ teaspoon (1.2 mL) dish soap with 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water. ^{[18]
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Research source} Soak a sponge in the solution and dab at the ink stain, rinsing out the sponge occasionally to remove the ink.
- Alternatively, fill a bowl with warm water and add 1 teaspoon of laundry detergent. Dab the stained area with a sponge soaked in the solution until the stain is gone. ^{[19]
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- This ratio of water to dish soap works best for synthetic carpets. For natural fiber carpets, mix 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of dish soap in 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water. ^{[20]
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- If the ink won’t come out all the way, scrub the soaped-up area with a clean toothbrush to work it out of the fibers.

7

Hair Spray

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Spray alcohol-based hair spray to remove any kind of ink. Saturate a paper towel with hair spray , then press it down over the stain. Discard the paper towel, then blot the area again with a dry paper towel. ^{[21]
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Research source} Dab the spot with a damp sponge to soak up the residue.
- This method only works if you have a hair spray with a high amount of alcohol, so double-check the label to make sure it isn’t alcohol-free. ^{[22]
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- If the stain doesn’t come out completely, try applying hydrogen peroxide to the area in the same way to take the rest of the color out.

8

Vacuum

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Hold the vacuum hose slightly above the area to avoid pushing the powder into the carpet. Apply a foaming carpet cleaner and blot the area with a paper towel. Dab the fibers with a clean damp sponge and blot with a clean paper towel to remove the cleaner residue. ^{[23]
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9

Commercial Carpet Cleaner

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Use a store-bought carpet spot remover that can take out ink stains. Look for a carpet cleaner that mentions inks on the label. Follow the instructions on the product to apply it to your carpet. Typically, you just spritz the area with the cleaner, wait a few minutes, and dab the area with a rag or paper towel. ^{[24]
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Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
Go to source}
- For best results, use a wet vacuum to lift the spill, then apply the spot remover and use the vacuum to suck up the cleaner and the stain. Repeat until the stain is gone.
- As a more natural alternative, apply a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water to the area. Wait a few minutes, then soak up the spot with a paper towel.

10

Bleach

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Use bleach as a last resort to remove ink from white carpets. If your carpet is bleach-safe, mix 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of bleach with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of hot water and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of liquid laundry soap. Dip a sponge in the solution and scrub at the stain, then let it sit overnight. Use a clean damp sponge to soak up the excess solution. ^{[25]
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- Carpet and rug cleaning specialist Haim Shemesh never recommends using bleach to remove stains on colored carpets because it can “also take away the color that the rug has.” ^{[26]
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  Haim Shemesh
  Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.}
- Shemesh also says that “bleach is not really a way to remove stains… because it's too strong and it could cause damage.” ^{[27]
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  Expert Source
  
  Haim Shemesh
  Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.}

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Question

How do I remove dried computer cartridge ink from carpet?

Community Answer

The shaving cream works best, helped with a light agitating from a soft toothbrush. Leave the foam on for a few minutes for stubborn stains.

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How do I remove an ink stain that has been sitting for 3 months?

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Get some carpet shampoo and rub it in with a brush or cloth. Let it dry for an hour or so, then hoover it up. You may have to do it multiple times to fully eliminate the stain.

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Could you be more specific in what type of water to use?

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Use lukewarm fresh water. Tap is fine, just make sure it’s about room temperature.

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Try to avoid scrubbing the ink stain so it won’t sink deeper into the carpet. Instead, lightly dab at the stain. ^{[28]
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Make sure that you spot-test any cleaning solution you use in an inconspicuous area first to make sure that it doesn’t stain the carpet.

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The 10 Best Solutions to Get Any Ink Out of Your Carpet

Best Way to Get Ink Out of Carpet

Steps

Rubbing Alcohol

Hydrogen Peroxide

Cornstarch and Milk

Ammonia

WD-40

Dish Soap

Hair Spray

Vacuum

Commercial Carpet Cleaner

Bleach

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

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