How to wash a gel pen from various surfaces

Gorgeous roses on the wallpaper as a birthday present for mom! Why not? Great idea. How to solve an unusual problem without offending the little donor? Glue a frame around the picture and get a picture for memory.

But what if the strokes of a gel pen spoil the look of a white shirt, a light-colored sofa, or the leather upholstery of a car interior? Don’t worry, there is a solution.

Why does a gel pen leave marks?

School and office supplies for writing appeared relatively recently. The gel pen repeats the characteristic structure of a ballpoint, but at the same time it has fundamental differences.

The writing knot is equipped with a ball, which is hidden in a cone. The flow of ink starts automatically after the start of the rotation of the ball. A thin layer of dye envelops the ball and flows out, leaving marks on paper and other things.

Gel-based ink has a very dense opaque structure. The composition of the dye includes copper phthalocyanine and iron oxides. The water-based gel also includes biopolymers (xanthan gum and gum tragacanth) and thickeners.

The coloring composition of the ink may contain large particles of mother-of-pearl, glitter and metallic dyes.

Among the gel-filled pens, there are anti-fraud inks. Neither bleaches nor solvents take them.

There is also a waterproof ink that can be washed off with water only before it dries. Next, you will have to use only chemical stain removal methods.

Special stain removers

Especially for stubborn stains, manufacturers produce various sprays that destroy the coloring pigment. Here is some of them:

1. 
   Novo Pen Off. Instant liquid for removing traces of marker, ink and tape. Produced by Dr.Schnell. Sold in a 0.5 liter plastic bottle with sprayer. The average price range is 700-10 dollars.

2. 
   Diamond. Means for dry cleaning of traces of a marker, stylus, ink. Cannot be used on painted surfaces. A plastic container with a volume of 0.75 liters has a sprayer. Price — 740 rubles.

3. 
   Asana Unilan HT. European-made cleaner for getting rid of ink stains. Supplied in a plastic container. Does not have a sprayer. The average price is 550-6 dollars.

4. Expert stain remover manufacturing company Dr. Beckmann. Removes traces of ink, ink, felt-tip pens. Price range — 150-380 rubles.

Household ink removal methods

A trace from the simplest pen can be removed with improvised means. Our task is to dissolve the gel and wash off the pigment. Consider ways to remove stains from the following surfaces:

1. the cloth;

2. leather;

3. paper, wallpaper;

4. furniture upholstery.

From fabric

The most common problem for all moms and office workers is lines and ink stains on white shirts. Of course, not only white things suffer, but also colored ones, as well as jeans.

The main thing is not to put things off indefinitely. If possible, we immediately go and erase. First of all, we use emergency assistance.

Sanitary alcohol-based hand gel

Now this tool is in every purse. If you accidentally touch your clothes while at the office or school, have hand sanitizer and wet wipes ready. Then do like this:

1. Apply the gel to the stain.

2. Wait 1-3 minutes.

3. When the line loses its shape, rub the place with wet wipes.

4. Later, when you get home, wash the stained area with Fairy (dishwashing detergent).

5. If possible, wash the stain immediately and dry the clothing under a hand dryer.

Hair spray

This tool is also often found in the office. Therefore, there should be no problems with removing ink strokes. As soon as you put a mark on the clothes, immediately go for varnish. Do this:

1. Spray the line with varnish.

2. Wait for the line to turn into a blur.

3. Moisten the cloth, drip liquid soap on top and rub the stain.

4. Wash the dirty place or rub it with a well-dampened cloth.

Alcohol

Not bad if alcohol or a product based on it is at hand. For example, cologne or toilet water. Also suitable for any pharmacy. The exception is iodine and brilliant green.

Moisten a cotton pad with alcohol and apply it to the ink. Wait 2 minutes and wash the item. If you are at home, put the item in the washing machine.

Nail polish remover

Dissolves ink very well. But it can also perfectly ruin colored, synthetic fabric or make a white spot on jeans.

If possible, use this method only on white fabrics, or test compatibility on an inconspicuous area first.

Apply the solvent to the stroke of the pen and wait for it to dissolve. Scrub the contaminated area with your hands or with a soft brush. Wash off any remaining ink with warm soapy water.

Ammonia

The action of the drug is similar to the listed substances. Clear lines are blurred, but the dye does not disappear. Therefore, the treated area should be washed. Ammonia is suitable for colored fabrics and jeans. But, in order to avoid lightening the fabric, we recommend that you test the effect of the chemical in an inconspicuous place.

How to remove a drawing with a pen:

1. Apply the product to the stain.

2. Waiting 1-2 minutes

3. A little three with a toothbrush or hands. We do this in order to blur the ink stain as much as possible. Therefore, you can apply a little more funds.

4. We wash the item with soap and water. You can do it manually. You can wash clothes in the machine.

Fairy or laundry soap

You will get instant results if you can immediately wet the stain and apply dishwashing detergent to it. Laundry soap will give the same effect. Wet the dirt, apply laundry soap, rub the cloth and rinse it under running water.

From the skin

It does not matter how the stain appeared on leather upholstery or on your favorite bag. The question before us is how to wipe it off.

We can remove fresh traces using the following improvised means:

1. Lemon juice.

2. Alcoholic liquid.

3. Hair spray.

4. Hand cream.

5. Glycerol.

6. Turpentine.

7. Liquid detergent.

For work we need:

1. Cotton discs.

2. Water.

3. Clean wipes.

The method of application for all substances is the same:

1. We apply the product to the stain. You can just drip and distribute. Can be applied with a cotton pad and left to act as a compress.

2. Leave the product on the ink stain for a few minutes. Some substances can begin to act immediately, others — after a few minutes.

3. With a cotton pad, we begin to wipe off the traces of the pen. At the same time, you can soak a cotton swab with the same agent and rub gently.

4. After the disappearance of pollution, wipe the skin with wet wipes.

In order to avoid damage to the color of the skin, to begin with We recommend trying the products in an inconspicuous place.

The fresher the trace of paint, the easier it is to remove. Therefore, we offer a list of emergency response tools:

1. Alcohol wipes for cleaning monitors.

2. Hair spray.

3. Hand cream.

old footprints it is more difficult to remove ink, therefore, in these cases, industrial means show greater efficiency:

1. Expert stain remover from Dr Beckmann. Removes stains from any surface, including leather, without damaging its structure.

2. Spray stain remover from Amway. Works well on all types of stains. Not recommended for colored items.

3. Soap Antipyatin. A cheap and effective product that removes stains without damaging the surface of products.

4. Udalix Ultra. Pencil-stain remover for different surfaces. Removes all kinds of contaminants. Not recommended for unstable surfaces.

5. Leather Stain Remover. Removes stains from all leather surfaces.

6. Vanish. Universal stain remover. Removes most known contaminants.

Leather as a natural material requires delicate handling. Therefore, starting cleaning, pay attention to the following tips:

1. Genuine leather does not like water. Therefore, a minimum of moisture should be used.

2. Dyed products may lighten when exposed to active oxidizing agents. Do not use chlorine-containing substances.

3. The surface of the skin can be damaged by excessive friction.

From wallpaper and paper

The peculiarities of paper are its absolute instability to getting wet and mechanical influences. But, nevertheless, there are several ways to help remove traces of the gel pen from paper and wallpaper.

Mechanical erasure

The proposed option requires patience and diligence. But the result will be almost perfect. To work, you will need a blade from a clerical knife and an eraser.

Procedure:

1. Take the blade close to the sharp end. You must control the accuracy of the movements.

2. Start with light, superficial movements to clean off the contamination. Our goal is not to tear off the entire line, but to make the paper a little loose where the ink line is applied.

3. After processing the surface of the paper with a clerical knife, take an eraser. You can use the soft side for pencils or the abrasive side for erasing a pen.

4. With light, precise movements, start rubbing the area to be cleaned. We need to remove that thin layer that we lifted with a knife.

After a few trainings, you will be able to perform this spy trick without difficulty.

Similar results are shown the following mechanical methods:

1. Rubbing with very fine sandpaper.

2. Cleaning with an abrasive eraser.

3. Removing the top layer of paper by moistening and lightly rubbing with your finger.

Chemical methods

There is one spy method that removes the mark from the pen without a trace. If you still have potassium permanganate in your first aid kit, then consider that you have won the battle with ink stains.

We will need:

1. Acetic acid.

2. Several crystals of potassium permanganate.

3. Hydrogen peroxide.

4. Tassel.

Sequencing:

1. Let’s prepare the working composition. In 1 tbsp. vinegar essence, add a few crystals of permanganate until a dark pink solution is obtained.

2. With a brush, apply the composition to the line. It will immediately begin to disappear, instead a dirty pink spot will appear on the paper.

3. With a clean brush, we will treat the spots on the paper with hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3%. The paper will be perfectly white.

From upholstered furniture

Furniture upholstery requires special handling due to the fact that it cannot be removed and washed. Spot removal involves the use of products that do not require abundant rinsing.

If possible, before using an unknown product, always try to test it for compatibility with the fabric. Active substances can destroy not only the pigment of the pen paste, but also the fabric dye.

Ammonia

We recommend that you always have a bottle with a strong-smelling liquid on the farm. It helps out in many situations, removes various stains and dirt.

To remove drawings with a gel pen, you need to do the following:

1. Apply ammonia to the stains and rub them with a cloth.

2. If the pattern has dissolved, put a drop of dishwashing liquid on top and rub the fabric surface with a damp sponge.

3. Then rinse off excess soap with a clean sponge and pat dry with a dry towel.

In the same sequence, you can use the following tools at hand:

1. Hydrogen peroxide.

2. Lemon acid

3. A bowl of soda and water.

4. Vinegar.

Hair spray

It is very convenient to use hairspray as a quick response agent. It is enough to sprinkle the stroke of the pen from the can and rub it with a cotton pad or napkin.

The next step is to lightly scrub with a damp sponge with liquid soap and water.

Alcohol wipes

You can find these napkins in the stationery departments. They are designed to wipe monitors. For fresh traces of ink, this is a great tool. You can completely remove the gel paste by simply rubbing the dirt with an alcohol wipe.

Dishwashing liquid

If, immediately after painting on the sofa, wash this place with fairies, be sure that not a trace will remain. The only thing is to remove the detergent well with a clean cloth with water, otherwise there will be stains on the upholstery.

Vanish

The Vanish line offers all kinds of compositions for any situation. You can take Vanish OxiAction universal stain remover (liquid) or upholstery cleaner.

To get rid of the stain, you need to prepare a product and a brush (you can use a toothbrush). Next, apply the product to the dirt and rub with a brush. After 2-3 minutes, traces of paint will disappear. Remove bleach residue with a damp sponge. Amway’s Lock stain remover works similarly.

Keep in mind that spot removal of stains on furniture can lead to a global cleaning of the sofa. Even if the sofa does not seem dirty, it may have a coating of dust. Therefore, when rubbing off traces from the pen, you will get a lighter and brighter spot.

Knowing the methods of quick response, you can easily keep your clothes and upholstery clean. You don’t have to wait for «better times». The improvised and professional dry cleaning products offered by us will solve the problem of ink stains once and for all.