Pen Stains

Ink stains from a leaking ball point pen, marker, gel pen, felt tip, fountain pen or any other writing instrument that uses ink is a stain removal challenge that everyone faces at some point or another.

Whether the pen leaks in your pocket, your purse, your car, your briefcase, on your desk, on a chair or sofa, or on a countertop, the challenge is getting the ink OUT.

Because ballpoints are the most popular pens currently in use, they’re the biggest offenders. Even though they’re a great improvement from old-fashioned fountain or feather pens, in terms of both convenience and cleanliness, they’re still a challenge when it comes to stains and leaks.

This is because the makers of these writing instruments use a thick, oil-based ink that is specifically designed to be permanent. Pencil can be erased, but anything you write with a pen is made to last. Indeed, you can still read the signatures of our forefathers on the original Declaration of Independence, which would not be the case had they used pencil!

Although designed to be permanent, stains from ink pens can be removed.

Here’s What You Need To Know About How To Remove A Pen Stain:

As with most types of stains, the fresher the stain, the easier it is to remove. If you have attempted to remove the spot or splatter with soap and water, laundry detergent or other ordinary household cleaners, and then washed and dried the garment, you might find that when you pull it out of the dryer, a ghost of the stain remains. Worse yet, you have now “set” the stain, making it even more difficult to remove.

Here’s what to do instead:

• Do not launder the material until after you have used an appropriate spot remover that is designed to completely dissolve the ink and the oil used to make it.
• Do not rub the spot; that will simply spread the area of the stain.
• BLOT the pen stain with a clean cloth.
• Apply a safe spot remover and degreaser that will remove the ink and the underlying stain, leaving no “shadow.” Goof Off^® Heavy Duty Spot Remover and Degreaser is a powerful micro-emulsion formula designed to dissolve and lift out that pen stain. Apply using the convenient spray applicator. Let it sit for a minute to dissolve the problem stain, then lift it off by blotting with a clean cloth.

Goof Off® will completely and totally remove a pen stain, marker stain, or any other kind of ink stain on first use. No need to reapply. The product has no harsh fumes and will not damage or destroy materials or surfaces. Of course you should test any product an inconspicuous part of the fabric before treating the stain, follow the directions on the container and then launder according to manufacturer’s instructions.

To remove ink stains from hard surfaces, wood furniture or upholstery, be sure to follow all of the instructions from the label.

Keep Goof Off^® on hand to remove any number of household stains.