How to Get Rid of Ink on a Book Cover
Perhaps you fell asleep while doing your homework, and when you woke up, your marker was leaking all over your history book. Or perhaps your pen broke open in your bag, leaking all over the new novel you just got at the book sale. Whatever the cause, ink on a book cover is a disappointing sight to see.
Things You Will Need
- Paper towels
- Lighter fluid
- Hairspray
- Sponge
- Soap
With a little care and a solvent you may already have in your home, you can remove ink, even from the fabric cover of a book.
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Squirt a little lighter fluid on a clean cloth or paper towel and gently rub the ink off of the book jacket.
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Let the ink dry, before trying to remove it. If you try and wipe the ink while it's wet, you may spread it further.
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Spray hairspray directly on the ink stain.
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Hold a clean cloth at the edge of the stain, preventing it from running onto other parts of the book.
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Blot the stain -- as you spray the hairspray -- removing the stain. Continue blotting, until most of the stain is gone. Re-spray the hairspray as needed. Use rubbing alcohol, lighter fluid or commercial heavy duty stain removers, if you don't have hairspray.
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Dampen a clean sponge or cloth in warm, soapy water and wring it out. Gently rub the area where the stain was with the soap and water. Do not soak the cover. This will remove any leftover ink and solvent.
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Allow the book cover to dry thoroughly.
References
Writer Bio
Michelle Hogan is a writer and the author of 13 books including the 2005 bestselling memoir, "Without a Net: Middle Class and Homeless (With Kids) in America." Hogan studied English at American University and has been writing professionally since 1998. Her work has appeared in "The New York Times," "Redbook," "Family Circle" and many other publications.
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