This is something everyone can relate to. You’re using your printer and suddenly-you’re covered in printer ink. And now you’re desperately in need of a way to remove printer ink stains from yourself.
Worry not! This guide will help you find the best-suited options for removing ink stains quickly and efficiently!
Key Takeaways
Emery board rubbing
To remove ink stains, use an emery board and soap. The effectiveness may vary based on ink quality.
Pumice stone exfoliation
Pumice stones effectively exfoliate rough skin on feet by removing dead skin cells. Soak the area of skin with ink in warm water, then gently rub with the stone. You’ll be surprised how effective this method works!
We’ll offer options to quickly fix the mess while considering skin sensitivities and the use of natural products for caution.
Which Materials Can Help Remove Printer Ink Stains?
There are several options to choose from to resolve this issue. These will depending on what you have available at home.
Here is a list of 11 items on how to effectively remove printer ink from skin:
- Nail polish remover
- Tea tree oil
- Rubbing alcohol
- Lemon juice
- Chlorine bleach
- Baby oil
- Lava soap
- White vinegar
- Sudsy ammonia
- Pumice stone
- Dish soap
- Bonus tip: If all else fails
These tend to be the most popular options, as most of us have these at home. We will go over how to use each effectively and quickly. Remember, it is best to get started on the stain before it dries on your skin!
#1 Nail Polish Remover: This powerful substance, commonly found in nail polish removers, containing acetone and alcohol, not only removes nail polish but also effectively eliminates stubborn stains, including printer ink on skin. Here’s a concise guide on its proper usage:
- Don’t soak your hands in solution.
- Use a cotton ball soaked in solution. Dabbing skin gently.
- Allow to soak for a few minutes before gently rubbing the stained area.
- Repeat this process until the ink stain is removed.
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap to getrid of residue.
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#2 Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil, a gentler alternative than nail polish remover, is commonly used in skincare products. It mildly dries the skin, unlike acetone. Although unconventional, it effectively removes printer ink stains. Here’s how to use it:
- Act quickly. This method works best on a fresh stain.
- Put a few drops of the oil on a clean dry cloth.
- Gently rub the ink stain area with the cloth.
- Use a nail brush (soft-bristled) to clean harder-to-reach places.
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#3 Rubbing Alcohol: This household item is most definitely one that you own so using it in this situation is ideal! Rubbing or isopropyl alcohol not only disinfects but is also great at getting out stains. Here’s how to use it:
- Pour alcohol onto a paper towel.
- Scrub gently the affected areas of your skin.
- Wash your hands with warm water and apply lotion to prevent skin dehydration.
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#4 Lemon Juice: Another item you’ll find at home! As a natural ingredient, this is probably the safest for your skin. However, it is dehydrating, so applying lotion is recommended:
- Juice a lemon (quantity depends on ink stain size).
- Mix equal quantities of liquid detergent with the lemon.
- Apply this mixture to your skin. Leave to sit for a few minutes.
- Rinse with warm water and apply lotion.
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#5 Chlorine Bleach: One of the more aggressive options for getting out ink. But one of the most effective too! Bleach can burn the skin, so proper aftercare is necessary. Here are quick steps to help you in this process:
- Mix bleach and water in a 1:10 ratio (ten parts water to one part bleach).
- Apply the said diluted mixture to the affected area.
- Rub gently into your skin.
- Immediately rinse with cold water and apply lotion.
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#6 Baby Oil: A gentle option that will moisturize your skin! This type of oil coagulates the ink or toner stains fast and will leave your hands and skin feeling soft! But you still have to wash your hands. In order to apply, follow these steps:
- Apply baby oil to skin.
- Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Thoroughly wash area until ink and oil are removed.
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#7 Lave Soap: This is one of the more popular brand names of soap and it is great for removing ink stains! Soap is already intended to be used on human skin so it will not harm you in any way whatsoever. This method is pretty self-explanatory but still very helpful.
- Lather your hands with this soap
- Rub for a few minutes to get every bit of ink out
- Use warm water while washing
- Dry thoroughly
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#8 White Vinegar: Another natural option and one you will likely have at home. Besides vinegar, you will also need cornstarch to complete this method. Here is a helpful guide on how to do it:
- Mix the vinegar with cornstarch (2:3 ratio).
- Apply the mixture to stained area of skin.
- This method can also be used to remove ink stains from white fabrics.
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#9 Sudsy Ammonia: An other chemical option with effective results. In order to remove ink stains using sudsy ammonia (or glass cleaner) you’ll have to consider a few things:
- Spray the solution evenly on your skin.
- Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Gently rub the area.
- Wash and rinse your hands thoroughly.
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#10 Pumice Stone: This at first sight weird item could indeed be used for removing ink stains! In combination with the aforementioned glass cleaner, this item will work like a charm! And here’s how:
- Follow step #9 above!
- Instead of rinsing it right away, gently rub the area with the pumice stone.
- This will gently but efficiently remove the printer ink from your skin.
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#11 Dish Soap: Another soapy solution for your ink messes! Once you’ve removed the stains made from the toner, another option for removing the remaining ink stain is this method. But don’t use dish soap by itself! You will need bleach as well, and here’s a helpful guide:
- Mix together dish soap and bleach together (1:1 ratio).
- Pour it into cold water (half a gallon).
- Apply the pasty mixture evenly to the stained area of the skin.
- Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Again, moisturizer lotion is needed on your skin afterward.
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Bonus tip: Say Goodbye to Ink-Stained Hands [01 mins 34 secs]
You may find some of these tips weren’t as effective as you hoped. This will depend on several factors. If none of the above solutions worked, try this bonus tip!
Oh, and best of all, there are no chemicals involved.
How to Prevent Ink Stains on Your Hands
It’s not only important to know how to effectively remove printer ink from your hands, but it’s even better to avoid getting ink on yourself in the first place. Ink spills and stains can be messy and inconvenient, but with a few simple precautions, you can easily keep your hands clean by following these tips:
- Read the Instructions: Before replacing the ink cartridge, carefully read the instructions provided with your cartridge or find them online. Each cartridge may have unique aspects, and understanding them can help you avoid spills.
- Wear Latex Gloves: When changing cartridges, wear latex gloves to protect your hands from ink stains. If a spill occurs, the gloves will shield your skin, and dispose of them afterward.
- Be Mindful of Tilt: When removing or inserting the ink cartridge, be cautious not to tilt it excessively. Tilting can cause ink to spill, especially if the cartridge is not properly sealed.
Conclusion
Getting rid of ink or toner stains is annoying. Whether we’re talking about spilled ink, a paper jam, or a broken ink cartridge, the situation is always messy and unexpected. So having a few options at hand is a great help! Instead of rushing to grab only paper towels to clean yourself off, consider picking up one of the aforementioned ingredients.
The quicker you can get the removal process started, the easier it will be to remove the ink. Try not to rub the ink and spread it over a greater area of your skin. This helps the ink dry quicker and also spread it over a larger area. This just means more work!
Frequently Asked Questions and Their Answers
What are the most effective products for removing printer ink from skin?
Rubbing alcohol is the most effective solvent for removing printer ink from skin, with an effectiveness rate of 95%. Use moisturizer afterwards as alcohol dries the skin!
Are there natural alternatives to using chemical removers?
Yes, there are! Your best options would be to juice a lemon, use vinegar or tea tree oil which are all completely natural.
Why is printer ink so difficult to remove?
Printer ink is composed of a combination of pigments, resins, and solvents, making it difficult to remove from skin.
Is printer ink toxic?
No matter its black color, printer ink is in fact non-toxic to the skin. But it should be removed as it is not supposed to be there for longer periods.