How to Get Rid of Ink on a Book Cover

Written By
Michelle Hogan
Michelle Hogan
Published: Apr 20, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

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.

  1. Squirt a little lighter fluid on a clean cloth or paper towel and gently rub the ink off of the book jacket.

  2. 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.

  3. Spray hairspray directly on the ink stain.

  4. Hold a clean cloth at the edge of the stain, preventing it from running onto other parts of the book.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. Allow the book cover to dry thoroughly.

Michelle Hogan

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…

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.