Ink spills can happen. You may accidentally knock over a bottle of ink while working on a college art project. Or, perhaps your kids have created their own masterpiece on the new wooden floor.
While it’s only natural to panic a little at first, it’s important to take a deep breath and focus on exactly what you can do to remove the ink stain as easily as possible.
With this in mind, our guide will take an in-depth look at some of the most effective methods of removing ink on a wooden floor. We’ll also look to answer a few of the frequently asked questions related to the issue.
Apply Chlorine Bleach
The first method we’ll take a look at is the application of chlorine bleach. The best type of bleach to use is either laundry or swimming pool bleach, but just keep in mind that this method can lead to some discoloration.
If all you’ve got on hand is laundry bleach, this may not be enough to remove a deep stain. Therefore, you’re much better off investing in a swimming pool bleach such as Shock Treatment, as this is significantly stronger and much more likely to work.
Using rubber gloves for protection, mix your chosen bleach with some hot water to produce a saturated mixture. Then, pour some of the bleach mixture onto the ink stain and let it sit for around ten minutes.
More often than not, you’ll be able to see results after this initial period, but if not, try using more of the mixture. It’s also a good idea to let the bleach sit overnight if the stain is proving difficult to remove.
While pouring the bleach mixture directly onto the stain is the preferred option for most people, it can be a little daunting for some. Therefore, you can just as effectively apply the mixture using either a soft cloth or a soft-bristle toothbrush. Just make sure you don’t use the toothbrush again!
After you’ve successfully applied the bleach mixture, it’s time to use a little bit of distilled white vinegar on the top of the stained area to neutralize the bleach. In other words, this helps to prevent the bleach droplets from rising to the surface after you’ve completed the cleaning process.
Finally, you’ll need to thoroughly rinse the surface with water to make sure that you’ve removed all the bleach and vinegar. After you’ve rinsed the entire surface, let the floor dry overnight.
Try Out Toothpaste
With this method, it’s important to firstly attempt to blot up some of the ink using a paper towel. Press the stain until you can’t remove any more of the ink from just blotting alone.
With some of the ink hopefully removed, apply toothpaste to the stain – any kind of toothpaste you use to clean your teeth should work fine. Ideally, it’ll be labelled for whitening or contain baking soda, as this will help to clear the stain.
After you’ve applied the toothpaste to the affected area, you can start wiping the stain with a clean, soft cloth. Do this for at least a couple of minutes until the cloth slides easily over the wood.
It’s important to then rinse off the wood to make sure that all of the toothpaste is removed, before patting it dry with a towel. If the stain hasn’t gone after the first attempt of using toothpaste, you can repeat the process until you get the desired result.
Use Isopropyl Alcohol
Another effective method of removing ink from a wooden floor is to use isopropyl alcohol. However, just be mindful that before getting to work on the ink stain, it’s a good idea to test the surface of the wood first.
This can be done on a small or hidden spot on the floor to check whether the isopropyl alcohol has a negative effect on the wood. If it does, it’s important to abandon this method immediately.
If there aren’t any visible signs of damage when testing out the isopropyl alcohol, dampen a cloth with the substance and start scrubbing off the stain. You’ll know that it’s having the desired effect when the stain begins to gradually transfer to the cloth.
Once you’ve successfully removed the stain from the floor, it’s important to thoroughly rinse off the wood. This can be done by either pouring some water on the wood and drying it off with a towel, or using a fresh damp cloth and then letting the surface air dry.
It’s worth noting that if you don’t have isopropyl alcohol on hand, you can just as effectively use clear alcohol such as vodka. What’s more, nail varnish remover and hydrogen peroxide also have a similar effect to isopropyl alcohol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Baking Soda Help To Remove Ink Stains?
Yes, all you need to do is mix some baking soda together with water so that it forms a paste which you can gently apply to the ink stain. Dab the stain lightly with a cotton ball containing the mixture, and when the stain has completely lifted, simply wipe away the paste on your floor with a clean cloth or paper towel. This is a similar process to that of stripping paint from wood flooring.
Does Hydrogen Peroxide Damage Wood Floors?
No, hydrogen peroxide is a cleaning solution that’s safe to use when applied correctly, and won’t damage hardwood floors. In fact, with its antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, the cleaning solution is one of the best for eliminating dirt and debris.
How Long Do You Leave Hydrogen Peroxide On Wood Floors?
For the best results, it’s a good idea to leave hydrogen peroxide on a stain for at least eight hours during the day or overnight. After this period, wipe the solution away with a fresh cloth. If the stain hasn’t disappeared after the first attempt, repeat the process until it’s removed.