by Sharon Lai

Created on: March 02, 2009

Gone were those manuscript classes of schooldays when I wrote in cursive with a fountain pen. I would carefully manoeuvre my pen so that the hooded nib would not transfer any ink onto my uniform. Even though I no longer use fountain pens , I still get highly noticeably blotches of ink on clothing or worse, on beautifully woven tablecloth from leaking ball point pens.

Before tackling the issue of removing ink stains, we have to determine the type of stain to correctly remove them. Writing ink come in various forms. The inks that used in fountain pens, ball point pens, and gel pens vary from each other. Fountain pen inks and gel pens are water based while your regular ball point pens, uses a synthetic colourant with an alcohol solvent in a thick paste, are usually oil based. Most of the inks in pens today tend to dry very quickly thus leaving a permanent stain.

Ink from a fountain pen is easier to remove than ink from a ball point pen. Always remember, whatever type of ink, it is always easier to remove ink while it is still wet. Ink that has dried up is difficult to remove.

There are quite a number of tried and tested methods to remove ink stains. In all, the golden rule is to try to remove the stain as quickly as possible before it starts to set and never ever soak the fabric in hot water. Many people mistakenly think that hot water will dissolve and dissipate the ink. Hot water will only worsen the condition as it locks the stain and causing much difficulties to fully get the stain out later.

When removing an ink stain , I always start by dabbing with a clean wet sponge until no more ink is lifted. Do this gently because using immense pressure will only sink the ink more firmly into the fabric. Then allow the stain to dry. Next, mist the area with hairspray to loosen remaining ink. Place the affected clothing between a few sheets of absorbent paper towels, one in the front and one in the back. Working carefully from the back side of the stain, blot into the other sheet until you see the stain is lifted up. Alternatively, place some heavy weight over it. Repeat this process using fresh paper towels, if necessary. Wait for a couple of minutes. The stain should be gone by now. Use a pre-treatment on stain and wash per care label instructions.

If the stain is not gone even after blotting out the hair spray, you can use this other method. But make sure the clothing is completely dry before doing so.
In a bowl, mix equal proportions of Isopropyl alcohol with household

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