Thursday, November 8, 2007

Ink Remover

It is Friday already? This week my husband took off work to try to get some things done around here. We have had a stack of wood that we salvaged from a building we helped tear down and he has been working on getting the place ready for winter. So far we have only spent money on some caulking. In Texas where we are many of the houses are built up off the ground and you need to put a skirting on around them to keep the wind and cold from going underneath. This is what he has been working on with all the free wood. Hopefully it will save on heating this winter.

Doing the work on the house has seemed to make the week fly by. So here I sit on Thursday night trying to think of my Frugal Friday post. We certainly were frugal in what he is doing with the house, but I want to share more.

There is a site I like and I think I want to share what I have learned about ink stains. We all get them and sometimes end up throwing out the blouse, pants or whatever. Being someone who hates to throw out and loves to save money I try to find ways to save the outfit. I would like to pass on some frugal ways to handle ink stains.

10 Ink Stain Removers

Recipe #1

1 TBS Vinegar
1 TBS Milk
1 tsp Borax
1 tsp Lemon Juice

  • Mix together all the ingredients then apply to ink stain, leave for about 10 minutes. Dampen a sponge with cool water then dab at the stain until it is gone.

Method #2

Hairspray

  • Spray hairspray on the stain so that the spot is well saturated. Wait 30 minutes. Dab at the ink spot with a sponge first soaked in cool water. You may have to soak the spot in hairspray a couple times.

Method #3

Fingernail Polish Remover (plain, unscented)

  • Test a small unnoticeable area of the garment first before using. This could discolor some fabrics. The method for stain removal is the same as above, saturate the area with the fingernail polish remover, then dab at the spot with a cool, wet sponge.

Method #4

Toothpaste (Plain paste, not gel, no bleach)

  • Toothpaste can help lift ink stains from fabric too. Apply to the stain, let set for a few minutes, then run under cool water while gently rubbing the toothpaste into the stain. Repeat as necessary.

Method #5

Isopropyl Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol)

  • Saturate the ink spot with isopropyl alcohol, leave for 30 minutes, then try lifting the stain with a sponge first wet with cool water.

Method #6

Vinegar (Regular White Household)

  • Pour a teaspoon of vinegar directly on the stain and allow to rest for about 10 minutes. Then dab a drop or two of liquid dish detergent to the stain. Rub it in gently with your fingers. Leave to rest for about 5 minutes. Rinse under cool water, gently rubbing the soap into the spot while the water rinses the area.

Method #7

WD-40

  • Spray it on the ink stain and after a minute or two, rinse off.

Method #8

Shaving Cream

  • This needs to be the foaming shaving cream, not the gel. Spray a bit of the foam on the stain, wait 30 minutes, then run under cool water while gently rubbing the stain away with your fingers

Method #9

Ivory Soap (bar)

  • Run the stained fabric under cool water so it’s good and wet. Rub the Ivory Soap bar into the stain (not too roughly or it will damage the fibers), make sure to rub a good amount of soap into the stain. Leave for 30 minutes. Add a couple drops of liquid dish detergent to the stain, rub in with your fingers (gently), then run under cool water and wash away the stain.

Method #10 (Not so frugal!)

Buttermilk

  • Let the stain soak in Buttermilk for 24 hours, then rinse under cool water with a bit of Ivory soap or liquid hand soap. If that hasn’t removed all the stain, soak in Buttermilk again and repeat the process.
I find Tipnut.com to be a helpful site and often has frugal ideas and hints. I get their newsletter and love some of the information they send.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The rubbing alcohol really does work and it is what I use. Now what works on greasy stains?

Peggie said...

I use Mean Green (not Simple Green)on grease! You can get it at a dollar general or walmart.

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh, I feel bad, I am anything but frugal. I dont really look for deals, since most of the kids clothes are from Walmart or Target! I dont use coupons, cause Im too lazy, but I just try to keep the groceries at 100 bucks a week! I really enjoyed your blog, please stop by my blog if you can!

DEB