How to Remove Ink Stains from Wooden Furniture

Ink stains are some of the most difficult stains to remove, especially when they have had enough time to set. If your furniture is stained with ink (unfortunately, this is often the case) it’s even more annoying. You must feel very sorry when thinking about the value of precious wooden items, especially antiques. Let’s take a deep breath. Ink stains are difficult to remove, but not impossible to clean if you know how.

Table of Contents

Use dish soap

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Mix detergent solution with dish soap. This method works best for new ink stains on wood surfaces. Dish soap works because of its degreasing properties. It removes stains and prevents ink from seeping into the wood. Mix half a teaspoon of dish soap with 1/3 cup of hot water in a bowl. Stir until the soap is foamy. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Test the response of the wood surface. Before using any cleaner, it’s a good idea to test the wood finish to see how it reacts. Dip a cotton ball in the soapy foam and rub it into a small area of the furniture. Try to find a hidden spot on the item. Do not use the solution if you find the soap damaged the finish. If the finish is fine, you can move on to the next step. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Use a soft rag to soak a little soapy foam. Remember to only dip the rag into the soapy foam, not the whole solution. Use a soapy rag to gently wipe the ink stain. Next, use another damp rag to wipe off the soap, finally dry with a clean cotton towel.

If the ink stain is still visible, you can use a superfine steel wool (number 0000) dipped in liquid wax and gently rub the surface of the stain. Steel wool will only remove a thin layer of wood. It’s important to be gentle so you don’t scrub too much of the wood. Use a rag to clean the wood dust.

Use baking soda

Mix baking soda. Baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate) is great for cleaning because it becomes a mild abrasive when combined with water. Baking soda is safe to use on wood because it is gentle but effective. To make a paste, simply pour baking soda into half a cup of water, adding little by little until the mixture thickens like a paste. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Spread baking soda on the ink stain. Use your hands to rub the mixture onto the ink stain, remembering to cover the entire stain. You don’t have to scrub: just let the baking soda do the work. If you scrub too hard, you can damage the wood surface. Rub with baking soda and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Clean. Use a soft cloth moistened with water to wipe off the baking soda mixture. Wipe until the ink stain is completely gone. For larger stains, you may need to repeat the process several times. Once satisfied with the result, you will finish the job by using another soft cloth to dry the wood surface.

Use mineral alcohol

Test the mineral alcohol on the wood surface. Mineral tincture is also known as pine oil substitute. You can find mineral spirits at hardware stores. Put a little alcohol on a cotton ball and rub it on a hidden part of the furniture. If you see a bit of the finish flaking off with the cotton ball, don’t use this method. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Apply mineral alcohol to a damp rag and gently rub over the ink stain. Next, you use a wet cloth to wipe off the mineral alcohol. If the stain remains, proceed to the next step.

Use superfine steel wool (no. 0000). Scrub the ink stain with steel wool dipped in mineral alcohol. Rub gently and in the direction of the wood grain. Try not to rub off the finish more than necessary. The less the finish is lost, the easier it is to refinish the piece of wood afterwards.

Use bleach

Prepare the wooden surface. Pour a little denatured alcohol onto a clean, soft rag and wipe the wood surface to remove dirt and impurities. If the wood has a surface finish, you will have to remove the finish. You can sand if you don’t mind the effort, or chemically strip the finish. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

If chemicals are used to remove the finish, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area, as harsh chemicals such as methylene chloride found in the product can cause serious eye, lung, and skin damage.
Lacquer paints and lacquers can only be removed with denatured alcohol.

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Select the type of bleach to use. Common household bleach contains chlorine that works to remove dye stains and can remove stubborn ink stains. Another option is wood bleach that contains oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is very effective for iron-containing stains, including some inks. Another option is a 2-component wood bleach. The first component contains sodium hydroxide, and the second component contains hydrogen peroxide. The first component will expand the pores in the wood; the second component will react with the first component. You can find wood bleach at any hardware store. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

As with other harsh chemicals, you need to work where there is good air circulation. Use gloves to protect your skin and wear a mask to protect your lungs.
When using two-component bleach, you need to use a separate rag for each component to prevent the two chemicals from reacting.

Rub bleach. Use a clean rag to rub the bleach into the stain, avoiding the surrounding area. Let the bleach sit on the wooden surface for 10 minutes. Repeat again if necessary.

Clean. Use a damp rag to wipe off the bleach. Avoid touching the surrounding area. The next step is to use another damp rag to wipe the entire wood surface. The final step is to dry. Wait at least 24 hours before refinishing the wood surface.

Warning

Do not use ammonia to bleach furniture. Ammonia can discolor wood.
Do not mix bleach with any household cleaners, as it can create toxic gases.

Things you need

Soft rag
Rags or tissues
Small bowl
Dish soap
Steel wool (number 0000)
Liquid wax
Wood floor wax or polish
Wood bleach
Denatured alcohol
Mineral alcohol
Household chlorine bleach

Steps