Ink stains are both frustrating and unsightly. They can also be difficult to remove, adding to your frustration. If you have an ink stain, it is possible to remove it as long as you know what you are doing. Ink is tricky, so it can’t be removed with any cleaner.
So, will mineral spirits remove ink? Yes! Mineral spirits can be used to remove ink stains on porous and non-porous surfaces. When you use them on porous surfaces, it is incredibly important to dilute them. This will prevent any further damage to the surface and work to gently remove the ink stain.
Some ink stains will be easier to remove than others, so it is important to determine what kind of ink the stain came from in the first place. This can prevent you from using mineral spirits on a stain that doesn’t actually need mineral spirits for removal.
How to Remove Ink With Paint Thinner
You need to work carefully with paint thinners when you are trying to remove ink stains, especially from fabric or carpet. Paint thinners have the potential to alter the fabric, so you should test it out first to see what will happen when the paint thinners react with the carpet.
Start by testing part of the fabric that isn’t usually visible. If the stain is on carpet, test a spot that is usually under a piece of furniture. If the stain is on clothing, try testing a piece that is under a collar or under a beltloop. This will give you a solid idea of how the paint thinner will react with the fabric.
I like to use Sunnyside Paint Thinner for my projects. It’s odorless and super effective for removing stains.
After you are sure that the paint thinner won’t cause any damage to the fabric, you can start by removing any of the excess ink by blotting the area with a paper towel. Next, place a towel that you aren’t worried about ruining under the stain if on clothing. This will prevent the paint thinner from running and getting anywhere you don’t want it.
Pour just enough paint thinner to cover the stain onto the fabric. You will then rinse the area with cold water to get rid of the thinner on the fabric. If the stain is on clothing, you will want to pre-treat it with a stain remover, then put it in the washing machine to ensure that the stain is completely gone.
It is important to remember that you need to treat the stain quickly. The sooner you take care of the ink stain, the less chance it has of becoming permanent and ruining the fabric.
Does Acetone Remove Pen Ink?
Acetone can be used to remove pen ink. Just like paint thinners, you will also need to be careful when using acetone to remove ink stains. It shouldn’t be used on natural fabric fibers such as wool or silk but is considered fine to use on cotton fabrics. It can also only be used on fabrics that are washable.
If you catch the ink stain before it dries, dab it with a clean cloth, preferably a white one, to get rid of as much of the stain as possible. Mix up a combination of one part acetone and two parts water. Take a cotton ball and gently dab some of the mixture onto the ink stain until it disappears.
When the stain has disappeared, rinse the fabric with cold water and wash it as you normally would. You can pre-treat the stain with a stain remover, but this isn’t necessary as the acetone should take care of the stain completely.
What Solvents Will Remove Permanent Marker Ink?
One solvent that will remove permanent marker ink is turpentine. You will need to be incredibly careful with turpentine because the fumes are toxic. Use only in a well-ventilated area that has plenty of air flow. If you can, wear a mask and long clothing when working with turpentine.
It is essential that you test the material that the stain is on to make sure the turpentine will not do any damage. Test an inconspicuous spot and let it sit for about an hour to see if anything happens. If not, you can continue to use the turpentine to remove the permanent ink.
Linseed oil can also be used to remove permanent marker ink, but it will work best on non-porous surfaces. You should also be careful when using linseed oil to remove permanent marker ink because it also has the potential to cause damage. Test out an area before starting.
Can You Use Paint Thinner on Wood?
You can use paint thinner on wood and not have to worry about the wood getting damaged. Paint thinners are often used to clean wood before refurbishing and repainting an item. It is important to apply the paint thinners in small areas of the wood instead of large areas at a time. This makes it easier to evenly distribute the product.
After the entire surface is covered, let the paint thinner soak for about 20 minutes. If there is paint on the wood, it will be softened at this point. After the 20 minutes has passed, you can rinse the wood with cold, clean water. If you are going to repaint, wait for the wood to dry completely.
Final Thoughts
No one likes to deal with ink stains, but they do happen every so often. If you accidentally make an ink stain, knowing how to properly remove it is essential. Trying to remove the ink stain without knowing how can result in your surface being ruined. Mineral spirits are an effective way to remove ink stains but doing so incorrectly can result in a ruined surface.
You will always want to test a small area of the surface with mineral spirits before applying it to the ink stain. This will give you an idea of whether the mineral spirits will alter the look of the fabric in any way. If not, you can go on to use the mineral spirits on the stain with no issues.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your mineral spirit project turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!