Did you spill some ink all over your beautiful carpet? An ink stain may feel like the end of the world for your carpet, but don't worry—we've done the research and this is actually a super easy problem to solve. In this article, we’ll walk you through all of the best options and explain how to get your carpet back in tiptop shape.

3

Dish Soap

  1. For water-based inks, you don’t need anything tougher than soap. Mix 1-part dish soap with 1-part water and load up a sponge or rag. Pat the inky spill or stain repeatedly with your sponge or rag until the ink starts lifting out. Repeat this process until the ink is gone and pat the area dry with paper towels.[3]
    • You can use shampoo or laundry detergent instead of dish soap if you prefer.[4]
    • 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.
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4

Shaving Cream

  1. For permanent inks, the emulsifiers in shaving cream will do the job. Grab a can of shaving cream and spray the ink directly with a thick bead. Grab a sponge, load it up with water, and wring the excess water out. Dab the cream into the carpet with the sponge and wipe the excess foam up. Repeat this process as needed until the ink is gone and use a vacuum to clean the carpet thoroughly.[5]
    • Dry the carpet with a clean rag or paper towel when you’re done.
5

Cornstarch and Milk

  1. For stubborn permanent ink, cornstarch and milk are a safe bet. Mix a few spoonfuls of cornstarch with enough milk to form a thick paste. Lay the paste on top of the ink stain, and leave it for a few hours. Then, use a dry toothbrush to scrub the cornstarch off of the carpet. The ink should be totally gone. Vacuum the area when you’re done to lift up any crumbs.[6]
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6

Hair Spray

  1. For ballpoint ink, alcohol-based hair spray is perfect. Lay a paper towel down flat over the ink to absorb the ink, and spray the paper towel liberally with your hair spray. Wait a minute or so and the ink should transfer to the paper towel. Discard the towel and blot the area with a wet sponge. Once the hair spray is gone, wipe up any residue with warm water a towel.[7]
    • This may not work if there’s no alcohol in the active ingredient for the product you’re using.[8]
7

WD-40

  1. The oil and solvent in WD-40 will strip ink without staining the carpet. Spray the ink directly with a quick spritz of WD-40 and wait 30-45 seconds. Then, load up a sponge with warm, soapy water and wring the excess out. Blot the WD-40 with your soapy sponge until the ink comes out, and lift the excess water and soap out with a clean paper towel.[9]
    • The WD-40 won’t leave a stain behind, but it might leave a residue or texture. Warm water and a rag should soak it up no problem if it bothers you.
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10

Water

  1. If the stain is from a washable or child-safe ink, just use water. Did your child got a little too excited with their art supplies? Good news—this one is a breeze. Simply load up a rag or sponge with clear water and blot the area repeatedly. This kind of ink is designed to be easy to clean up.[13]
    • If it leaves any residue or stain behind, use a small drop of dish soap and warm water to blot the remaining ink out.

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I remove dried computer cartridge ink from carpet?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    How do I remove an ink stain that has been sitting for 3 months?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Could you be more specific in what type of water to use?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use lukewarm fresh water. Tap is fine, just make sure it’s about room temperature.
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About This Article

Haim Shemesh
Co-authored by:
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
This article was co-authored by Haim Shemesh and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Haim Shemesh is a Carpet and Rug Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration, a business based in New York City. Haim specializes in Oriental, Persian, handmade, and antique rug cleaning and repair. He also conducts rug restoration along with fire damage care. He has over 17 years of experience in the carpet cleaning industry. Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration has been awarded Angie's List Super Service Award in 2017 and 2018. Their clients include Staples, Ace Hotel, Momofuku, Banana Republic, and more. This article has been viewed 824,963 times.
13 votes - 71%
Co-authors: 42
Updated: May 6, 2022
Views: 824,963
Article SummaryX

To remove ink from carpet, wet a clean cloth with rubbing alcohol and gently blot the stain. Keep blotting for 30 minutes so the alcohol has time to dissolve the ink. When the ink is gone, rinse your carpet with a warm water-vinegar solution to prevent damage from the alcohol. Then, rinse it with plain water. Alternatively, you can spray shaving cream on the stain, spread it around, and then rinse the area with a lot of water. For more suggestions on how to remove ink from carpet, including by using WD-40, keep reading!

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