We’ll share some handy safety precautions and prevention tips to keep your hands ink-free in the future.
What we cover
Household Remedies
- Soap and Water: The old-fashioned combo of warm water and soap is the easiest and most reliable way to remove the ink. Rub your hands together vigorously to get that ink out. If you have a pumice stone, that’s even better. Apply soap and water, and then gently rub your hands against the stone. The stain will eventually disappear.
- Alcohol-based Solutions: Raid your medicine cabinet for rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, hair spray, or nail polish remover with acetone. Apply a bit on a cotton ball or cloth and gently rub the ink away. Don’t forget to rinse and moisturize your hands after that.
- Dishwashing Soap: Mix dish soap and warm water in a bowl. Give your hands a soak, then use a soft cloth or sponge to gently scrub the stains away. Rinse well to reveal ink-free skin.
- Tea Tree Oil: If you happen to have tea tree oil at home, it works as an all-purpose cleaner. Dip a dry cloth or tissue in the tea tree oil and scrub your hands with it. It won’t remove all the ink immediately, you may need to scrub a few more times to get rid of all the ink. Once you’re done, remember to wash your hands with soap.
- Bleaching liquid: Mix ten parts of water with one part of bleach. Use a cloth to rub the stain until it disappears. When you’re finished, give it a good wash with soap and water. If you want to get rid of the bleach smell, try squeezing a lemon or an orange. Bleach is a strong substance, so be careful when using it.
- Baking Soda and Juice: Lemon juice contains natural acid, and when mixed with baking soda, it becomes a fantastic stain remover. Apply the mixture to the stain, let it sit for a while, and then wash your hands.
- Toothpaste Trick: Some toothpaste contains mild abrasives that can help remove ink stains. Gently rub a bit on the affected area and rinse.
- Vinegar Vigilance: Create a paste with vinegar and cornstarch, slather it on your hands, and let it sit for a while. Gently scrub away the ink before rinsing clean.
- Mineral Turpentine Oil: Turpentine oil is often used to dissolve enamel and oil-based paints, but it can also help you get rid of printer ink from your hands. Put a few drops of turpentine oil on your hands. Then, gently rub your hands. After that, wash your hands with regular soap and water, and make sure to moisturize them.
Commercial Solutions
When the ink’s playing hard to get, turn to commercial hand cleaners designed for tough stains. These commercial hand cleaners are specially made to handle stubborn stains like ink, paint, or grease. Let’s take a quick look at them.
- Goop Hand Cleaner: It’s great at fighting stains, especially ink, and grease.
- Goo Gone: Another great product for getting rid of sticky and ink stains. It can remove ink stains from various surfaces, including skin.
- Lava Soap: With pumice particles, Lava Soap is a gentle scrubber that can make ink marks disappear.
- Fast Orange: Perfectly formulated to tackle tough stains like resins, oil, grease, tar, grime, soil, printer ink, and more.
Safety Precautions & Prevention Tips
- Wear Gloves: Keep disposable gloves on hand when working with ink cartridges or performing printer-related tasks to avoid direct contact with ink.
- Quick Action: Act quickly before it sets in. The sooner you address the stain, the easier it is to remove.
- Protective Clothing: Slip into old or protective clothing when dealing with printers to keep ink off your favorite outfits.
- Handle with Care: When replacing ink or refilling cartridges, handle them carefully to prevent leaks and spills.
- Hand Sanitizers: Use hand sanitizers with moisturizer properties to help prevent ink from penetrating your skin.
FAQs
Q: How can I remove pen ink from clothes after it’s dried?
A: Try a bit of rubbing alcohol or acetone on the stain, followed by a regular wash. Repeat if needed.
Q: Can I remove printer ink from my hands without rubbing alcohol?
A: Absolutely! Soap and water, dishwashing soap, milk, lemon juice, toothpaste, and commercial hand cleaners can all help.
Q: How long will printer ink stay on my skin?
A: How long ink stays on your skin can change, but don’t wait to clean your hands. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to get rid of the ink.
You don’t have to let ink stains stick around for too long. With these solutions and tips, you can beat ink stains and keep those hands looking fresh and clean. Just keep in mind, a little prevention goes a long way!
