How to Remove Ink Stains from Plastic

        Were you working in the kitchen while your little kid went strolling around and finally settled into your plastic work chair? Well, if he had just settled there then things wouldn’t have gone bad at all. But being the little devil he is, he decided to take matters into his own hands and play with your ink pens.

       You can imagine the ensuing disaster. You came looking for him covered all over in ink stains and smiling impishly at you. Now ink stains on hands and clothes can be dealt with easily, but what about those stains which were left behind on your plastic work chair. Is it possible to remove those stains, or will you have to make a trip to the dumpster?

       Fortunately, these ink stains can be dealt with and dealt with effectively; so that no stain remnants are there to be seen on your plastic surfaces. Follow the tips given below and the truth of our words would be revealed to you.

Method One (Using Alcohol)

         Rubbing Alcohol is a good option when it comes to the removal of ink stains from plastic. Primarily, because it is easily available, usually in every household and secondly because it yields pretty satisfactory results as far as ink stain removal is concerned. Moreover, if you cannot lay your hands on rubbing alcohol, then a commercial all-purpose cleaner can also do the trick.

 Things that you will require:

· Rubbing alcohol/ all-purpose cleaner

· Cotton ball

· Sponge/ cloth

· Ammonia

· Liquid dish Soap

· water

Steps that you need to take:

1.   If it’s rubbing alcohol which you have opted for, then primarily you need to take a cotton ball and soak it in this alcohol.

2.   Place this cotton ball onto the stained area and leave it lying there for some time, approximately five to ten minutes.

3.   Afterwards, scrub the stain using a sponge or cloth.

4.   On the other hand, if you are making use of a commercial all-purpose cleaner, then spray a little of it onto the ink stain.

5.   Then, work this cleaner onto the stain by scrubbing it with a clean cloth.

6.   Continue this scrubbing until the stain disappears.

7.   Once the stain is gone, wipe the surface with another clean cloth.  However, if either of these methods fails to produce effective results, then you can use ammonia as a last resort.

8.   Pour some drops of ammonia onto the ink stained area.  Allow this ammonia to sit on the ink stain for a few minutes.

9.   Rub the stain slightly and then wipe it off using a clean cloth.

10.   Once you are done with the application of cleaning agents, take some soap and water and using this soapy water, wash the previously stained area so that all traces of stain and cleaning agents can be effectively removed.

11.   Finally, allow the plastic surface to air dry.

   

Method Two (Using Nail Polish remover)

            Ink stain can be very stubborn at times, as it comprises of ingredients which can adhere to plastic surfaces and be hard to remove. However, nail polish remover can successfully battle these stains and the following method makes use of this very stain-lifting quality of nail enamel remover and other cleaning agents.

Things that you will require:

· Ammonia

· Nail polish remover

· Soap

· Lemon juice

· 1 tea spoon baking soda

· Clean cloths/ rags

· Bowl

Steps that you need to take:

1.   First of all, you need to take hold of a clean cloth and soak it in nail polish remover. Using this chemical soaked cloth, rub the stained area. Take care that you keep replacing the cloth with new cloths or a clean side of that very cloth, when ink comes off the plastic surface and is transferred to the cloth.

2.   Next, get hold of liquid dish soap and pour its few drops onto the previously stained area.

3.   Using a clean cloth or sponge, work this soap onto the stained area and then eventually rinse it off with clean water. This step would remove all traces of ink along with the nail polish remover.

4.   Either pat the surface dry or allow it to air dry. If despite these steps, the ink stains still refuse to get out of the plastic surface, it is time you make a stronger cleaning solution.

5.   To make this solution, take a bowl and mix equal quantity of ammonia, water and lemon juice in it. You can also consider adding a tea spoon of baking soda in it. Use this solution to treat any remaining ink stains.

6.   Afterwards, wipe it off with a clean cloth, followed by a rinse of clean water.

Tips

· A mixture of baking soda and water can also do wonders, when it comes to ink stain removal.

· Try applying some hair spray onto the ink stain and then wipe it off. It would also yield positive results.