A Step-by-Step Guide to Easily and Effectively Removing Printer Ink from Your Skin

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!

Bonus tips to naturally removing ink from skin

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:

1. Nail polish remover
2. Tea tree oil
3. Rubbing alcohol
4. Lemon juice
5. Chlorine bleach
6. Baby oil
7. Lava soap
8. White vinegar
9. Sudsy ammonia
10. Pumice stone
11. Dish soap
12. 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 can do more than just removing nail polish! Every nail polish remover contains acetone and alcohol. It is therefore commonly used to remove stubborn stains and should help do the same for printer ink on skin. Here is a short guide on how to properly use this method:

1. Don’t soak your hands in the remover.
2. Use a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover. Dabbing skin gently.
3. Allow to soak for a few minutes before gently rubbing the stained area.
4. Repeat this process until the ink stain is removed.
5. Wash your hands with warm water and soap to rid of nail polish residue.

#2 Tea tree oil

This option is a bit more gentle than the nail polish remover as tea tree oil is commonly used in skincare products. It will dry out your skin a bit, but not nearly as much as acetone would. This is probably one of the least conventional items on our list as this is not that common of a cleaning ingredient. This is how to effectively use it to remove printer ink stains:

1. Act quickly. This method works best on a fresh stain.
2. Put a few drops of the oil on a clean dry cloth.
3. Gently rub the ink stain area with the cloth.
4. Use a nail brush (soft-bristled) to clean harder-to-reach places.

#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:

1. Pour alcohol onto a paper towel.
2. Scrub gently the affected areas of your skin.
3. Wash your hands with warm water and apply lotion to prevent skin dehydratation. 

#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:

1. Juice a lemon (quantity depends on ink stain size).
2. Mix equal quantities of liquid detergent with the lemon.
3. Apply this mixture to your skin. Leave to sit for a few minutes.
4. Rinse with warm water and apply lotion.

#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:

1. Mix bleach and water in a 1:10 ratio (ten parts water to one part bleach).
2. Apply the said diluted mixture to the affected area.
3. Rub gently into your skin.
4. Immediately rinse with cold water and apply lotion.

#6 Baby oil

A gentle option that will moisturize your skin! This type of oil is designed for baby skin and will leave your hands and skin feeling soft and smooth! But you still have to wash your hands. In order to apply, follow these steps:

1. Apply baby oil to skin.
2. Let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Thoroughly wash area until ink and oil are removed.

#7 Lava 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.

1. Lather your hands with this soap
2. Rub for a few minutes to get every bit of ink out
3. Use warm water while washing
4. Dry thoroughly

#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:

1. Mix the vinegar with cornstarch (2:3 ratio).
2. Apply the mixture to stained area of skin.
3. This method can also be used to remove ink stains from white fabrics.

#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:

1. Spray the solution evenly on your skin.
2. Let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Gently rub the area.
4. Wash and rinse your hands thoroughly.

#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:

1. Follow step #9 above!
2. Instead of rinsing it right away, gently rub the area with the pumice stone.
3. This will gently but efficiently remove the printer ink from your skin.

#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:

1. Mix together dish soap and bleach together (1:1 ratio).
2. Pour it into cold water (half a gallon).
3. Apply the pasty mixture evenly to the stained area of the skin.
4. Let it sit for a few minutes.
5. Again, moisturizer lotion is needed on your skin afterward.

Bonus tip: Remove Printer Ink From 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.

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!

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