How to remove ink stains on wood, plastic, floors & walls 

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Maybe your housemate decided that handwritten love poetry was the ultimate romantic gesture – only now, their pen has left dramatic inky trails across the oak coffee table. Or perhaps your budding artisté has unveiled their debut masterpiece: Dancing Dinosaurs, on house wall, by Jessica, aged 6. It’s frustrating, sure. But it’s also kind of sweet. These little everyday messes? They usually come from the people we care about most. So, if you’re wondering how to remove a pen stain from your favourite surface – without turning it into a household drama over a ballpoint – don’t worry. 

In this handy guide we’ll show you how to get rid of those nasty blemishes, including pen stain removal on wood, walls, plastic and floors, and even how to remove ink from wood without destroying your furniture in the process. 

1. Removing pen stain marks from wooden furniture

Stains are proof that your home’s been lived in and loved. But when your favourite pen explodes mid-crossword and leaves inky blotches soaking into every groove of your polished table, it’s fair enough to want to know how to remove ink from wood without causing damage.  

First, remove any ink from your hand (and if you managed to avoid it – well done!) by blotting up the excess with some kitchen paper. Then, to lift the rest of the stain from your furniture, soak a new piece of kitchen paper in hot water and leave it over the ink mark. Let it soak in before using another piece to dry. 

If that stain won't shift, or to just finish the job, the following steps should help you remove pen stain marks from wood: 

• Use warm water and detergent, wiping on the soapy solution with a piece of kitchen paper.
• Rinse off and thoroughly dry.
• If that hasn’t worked, you can try a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to try to lift the stain.
• If the stain still hasn’t gone you can lightly sand the affected area with fine grit paper and then oil or wax immediately after. Test this method on a small, hidden area first to ensure it doesn’t damage the finish.
• Remember that accidents happen and that a loved one creating an ink stain on your chair/sofa/grandfather clock makes it a one-of-a-kind special 

2. Remove pen marks from plastic 

A toy, tablecloth or plastic cover – it’s fairly inevitable that sooner or later you’ll need to how to remove pen marks from plastic. Here’s how: 

• Start off by scrubbing with hot water and detergent; if that doesn’t work, you’ll need to try something stronger.
• Rubbing alcohol and vinegar contain properties that can be very good at removing pen stain from plastic. Just make sure you test on a small area first, and thoroughly rinse off after use.
• However, you decide to try to remove ballpoint pen stains, start off gently and work in small circles. 

3. Pen stain removal on hard floors

Has someone drawn ‘road markings’ onto the floor with pen to help you find your way around the house? It’s the thought that counts. But now you need to know how to remove ink stains from floors – so, here’s how: 

• Start off by blotting up as much ink as you can.
• Take your specialist floor cleaner or a little rubbing alcohol and gently wipe away at the stain.
• Repeat as necessary, rinse thoroughly and dry.
• With laminate flooring you can try spraying a little hairspray or make-up remover onto a kitchen towel and wipe.

4. How do you get ink off the wall?

Painting a wall is a good bit of DIY. Drawing all over a wall is more like ‘DI-why didn’t we buy just one more colouring book…’. But removing pen stain ‘art’ on walls can be achieved with a few easy-to-find household products: 

• Hairspray. A product that contains alcohol can do wonders. Spray a little onto a white cloth or Plenty Flexisheets and work at the stain gently. Be patient and repeat the process several times, wiping with a clean piece of kitchen paper with each attempt.
• Toothpaste. White toothpaste on white walls! Rub a little toothpaste into the stain and leave for 10 minutes before wiping off.

Remember, with any cleaning solution, always test on small area first, whatever the surface. 

Now you know how to remove a pen stain from different surfaces, the sight of pen on a fresh surface won’t make you consider chaining all of your ballpoint pens to a wall like a bank does…