Do you always work with stamps and frequently get ink on your skin? Or is this your first time and unknowingly got ink on yourself? Either way, if you need to know how to get stamp ink off skin and fabric, you are at the right place. You can use various cleaning solutions to remove ink off your skin and a handful for fabric materials.
How to Get Stamp Ink Off of Skin
As with any other ink, stamp ink fades away from the skin over time. However, it may take days or weeks to be obliterated if there’s no scrubbing involved. So how to get stamp ink off skin effectively?
One of the best ways to get the ink off your skin is not to let it dry in the first place. As soon as the ink touches your skin, wipe it away with paper towels or wet wipes. Washing the ink while rubbing with your hands will also work. But if it has dried already, then I suggest you try the procedure below.
Step 1: Choose Your Cleaning Solution
Every form of proper cleaning needs a cleaning solution. And to remove ink off the skin, there are a number of cleaning solutions you can choose from. Here is a list:
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Hairspray
- Nail polish remover
- White vinegar of apple cider vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Toothpaste
- Body soap
Once you have chosen your cleaning solution, prepare a clean cloth. You will use the fabric to rub the ink away.
Step 2: Scrub the Ink with Cloth
Pour some cleaning solutions on a portion of the cloth, then rub the fabric against the ink. Do this process repeatedly, rotating the material to a clean area until the ink is completely erased.
Be mindful of rubbing the cloth against your skin gently. You do not want to irritate or scar yourself with all the abrasion. Alternatively, you can also use cotton swabs or cotton balls for a more delicate rubbing.
Note: If you choose to use toothpaste or body soap, you must first wet the cloth before applying.
Using Chlorine for a Quicker Solution
If you are in a hurry and desperately need to remove the stamp ink off your skin, here’s a solution. Mix half a teaspoon of chlorine with one cup of water. This will be your cleaning solution.
Using chlorine directly on the skin has its fair share of health risks, so do this only as your last resort. And it is always better to use less chlorine than you think is enough because of the risk of chemical burn.
How to Get Stamp Ink Off of Fabric
Unlike with the skin, ink on fabric does not fade away on its own. So what if the ink got on a material? Tragic? No, there are ways to get the stamp ink off of the fabric. If the stamp ink got onto any fabric, there is still a chance you can get it off if you follow the procedures below.
Prepare white or apple cider vinegar, dishwashing detergent, or rubbing alcohol for the cleaning solution.
Step 1: Soak the Fabric in a Diluted Solution
To make your diluted solution in a basin, pour some warm water. Add your cleaning solution and stir the water. The ratio for water and vinegar is 1 quart is to 1 tablespoon, the balance for the water and dishwashing detergent is 1 quart is to half a tablespoon, and the ratio for the rubbing alcohol is 1:1.
Soak the fabric in this solution for about half an hour. Submersion may need more time if the ink has dried on the cloth for too long. An alternative to soaking is to dab the stain using cotton balls repeatedly. This is a more delicate approach, especially if your fabric is sensitive.
Step 2: Brush the Stained Area
Brush the stained area of the fabric with a soft brush, for example, an old toothbrush, if need be. You can also rub the fabric against itself. If there is still some ink left in the material, you can apply color-safe bleach to it.
Just be careful of the chemicals you will use so that they do not damage the fabric.
Step 3: Rinse the Fabric with Warm Water
After all is done, rinse the fabric with clean, warm water until all vinegar, detergent, or alcohol residue is gone.
If, in any way, the ink got all over the fabric, do the process repeatedly. Change the diluted solution when there is a color change or when you deem it necessary.
Conclusion
These cleaning solutions you can easily find at home can work wonders around the house and your craft. There is no need to shy away from using stamps because of the stains. You only need to know how to get stamp ink off skin and fabric without any need for fancy cleaning solutions.