How to wash ink off an office or computer desk

Is your printer leaking ink? Or perhaps the expensive pen that the organization gave you as a gift to commemorate 10 years of service in the workplace has started leaking after a month of moderate use? Whatever the case, if ink has spilled on your computer or office desk, there are several ways in which you can clean it up. The sooner you start cleaning up the ink, the sooner you’ll be done!

Method 1. Removing ink with medical alcohol or hairspray

1.Blot the ink as soon as possible. The first thing you need to do is blot the ink. As soon as possible, remove the still wet ink by blotting the stain with a damp paper towel.

• Try not to rub the stain until you have blotted it well.
• Blot the stain with damp paper towels until they are no longer stained with ink.

2. Apply medical alcohol or hairspray. Medical alcohol is one of the most effective cleaners. If you have hairspray, use it as it will do the job too. It can be used on laminate, wood, metal, plastic, glass and most other materials. 

• Soak a cotton ball completely in alcohol or hairspray. Squeeze out the excess liquid.
• Rub the ink stain in small circular motions until it disappears. The cotton should absorb the ink.
• The cost of hairspray does not affect its effectiveness. As a rule of thumb, the cheaper the hairspray, the more alcohol it contains.

3. If necessary, repeat the process with a clean cotton ball. Press harder, but be careful not to overdo it, so as not to damage the finish of the table.

• To remove ink from metal, apply a generous amount of alcohol directly to the metal surface of the table. Then wipe the stain off with a clean cloth.

Method 2. Removing ink with home remedies

1.Test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area. Whichever cleaner you choose, be sure to test it on a small, inconspicuous area.

• You don’t need to test the ink removal ability of the cleaner. Just make sure it won’t harm the surface you are trying to clean.
• Don’t rub too hard, as materials such as absorbent cotton and baking soda have some abrasive potential, they can ruin some surfaces.
• Remember to take a damp cloth or paper towel and wipe the area where the stain was.

2. Try baking soda. Mix baking soda with water until you have enough paste to cover the ink-stained table. Baking soda can be used on almost any surface, including laminate, metal, plastic, wood, and glass.

• Apply a generous amount of paste to the stain and rub it in with your fingertips or a toothbrush.
• Gently rub the area with a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the paste. Do not rub too hard to avoid scratching the surface of the materials.
• Repeat the process again if necessary.
• Clean the area with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol.

3.Use toothpaste. Toothpaste combined with baking soda is particularly effective. Coat the area with a generous amount of toothpaste and gently scrub the stain.

• Wipe off the toothpaste with a damp cloth. Wipe gently so as not to scratch the surface.
• If toothpaste residue remains on the surface, wipe it off with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol.
• If the table is made of wood, leave the toothpaste for 10-15 minutes. If the surface is made of another material, you don’t have to wait that long.

4. Apply acetone or nail polish remover. The cleaning properties of acetone are so well known that it is even used for nail polish remover! Chances are it will do the same for the ink stain.

• Place a cotton ball on the neck of a bottle of nail polish remover and shake it gently to soak the cotton ball in the liquid.
• Gently wipe the ink stain until it disappears.
• Use acetone or nail polish remover with extreme care. Wear gloves and remember to test the product on the surface of the material to make sure it will not change color.
• Acetone can be used to clean metal, glass, plastic and even leather.

5. Try insect repellent or sunscreen spray. Sprays designed to be applied to the skin can also be used to remove ink because they penetrate the stain itself. This method is especially effective on plastic surfaces.

• Be sure to test the remedy on an inconspicuous area so as not to harm the table surface, as these substances can have different concentrations.
• Spray the stain until it is completely covered with insect repellent or sunscreen.
• If the stain is small, spray the product onto a cotton ball and gently wipe the stain.
• Wipe off the spray with a clean, soft cloth. Repeat the entire process again if the stain remains.

6. Use mayonnaise to remove stubborn ink stains from wood surfaces. To remove an old ink stain from a wooden surface, you will need a stronger remedy. For this, you will need mayonnaise.

• Apply a thick layer of mayonnaise on the stain and leave it on overnight.
• Wipe off the mayonnaise with a damp paper towel, then wipe the wooden surface with another damp paper towel.
• Polish the surface with a cloth and wood polish to give it the finishing touch.

As you can see, none of these methods offer any special guarantees, so it’s best to contact a cleaning company. Our cleaners will help you get rid of stains quickly and you don’t have to worry about damaging the surface. A cleaning company in Calgary is the key to your peace of mind and keeping your apartment, home or office clean.