HOW TO REMOVE INK STAINS

Here are my top old-fashioned tips for getting rid of ink stains. As with all stains, the key to removing them is to act fast, the longer you leave it, the harder it will be to treat it.

FOR FRESH INK STAINS

Get some blotting paper, newsprint (without the ink on it) or paper towel and soak up as much as you can. Then sponge the spot with milk, allowing the milk to stand for several minutes. Or you can try filling a saucer with milk and sitting the stain in it for a while. Wash out with hot water and leave to dry.

FOR OLD INK STAINS

Try sprinkling some citric acid over the stain. Moisten it with a little warm water on the end of an old, clean toothbrush and rub the spot gently. You may need to repeat this until it disappears, then rinse with clean, warm water.

FOR HARD-TO-MOVE STAINS

Soak the stain in vodka until it starts to lift, then rub with laundry soap and gently wash.

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS AMONG US

Tomatoes are a great stain remover. For ink stains, scoop out the juice from a tomato, spread on the stain and leave overnight. Wash as normal the next day.