Does anyone know how to get dried ball point pen ink off a Formica counter top? I did not realize it leaked and left it on the counter top. It has been in the 90's.
I tried paint thinner with some success, but cannot remove it all. Of course the counter top is about a year old and light colored.
By Diane from Adirondacks, NY
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Try hair spray, rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover.
hair spray work amazing thanks soo much i almost didnt get it off before my mum got home !! pheww xx
I was going to say nail polish remover too but make sure it's acetone not non-acetone.
Just used non acetone nail polish remover and it worked instantly.
Thank you all for your suggestions. The nail polish remover worked. I used a cheap paint brush from a child's art kit to minimize the spread of the acetone and used a paper towel to blot it.
Thanks for letting us know dduff :-) Not very many people come back to share with everyone what and if solved their question so am appreciative :-)
I know that one of the readers said that baking soda and water didn't work for her but it always does for me. I just sprinkle some on a damp cloth and rub it on. It's taken off ballpoint ink and the food coloring ink that results from unpacking groceries on the counter. And it won't scratch the surface!
Baking soda and water worked well for the pen ink on my formica countertops. My countertops are cream and it was black ink. Did take 3-5 minutes of scrubbing.
I got pen ink all over a counter top that was covered with that plastic stick on drawer liner. The nail polish remover with a low quantity of acetone worked really well!
Simple way is to pour washing up Fairy liquid soap over kitchen work top, and blot over with kitchen roll. Works wonders.
NO ACETONES, harsh chemicals, nothing stronger than items found in your medicine cabinet and pantry. I sold cabinets & countertops for years and learned the make-up of the inexpensive countertops they put in all our homes. Formica is simply 5 players of plain paper huge very raw paper the 5th last the top layers being the only layer containing any colors at all. Putting acetone, some over sprays, probably spot removers have the c="CRUDE" the breaks down that 1st all important layer, something has to give. The chemicals simply go into the paper BLEACH out all the color and you end up with a huge ugly spot with some product
My Dad spilled water everywhere on important papers. I quickly moved everything so I could dry the table. When I picked up the important paper I had moved to the counter to hopefully dry I saw that my my handwritten notes were now part of the counter. Last straw after a very long day day caring for a very old and sick father. Searched the Internet, found you site, not much to work with in his house. I used his alcohol sanitizing wipes and it took the ink off instantly. Thank you. Now maybe I can get a couple of hours of sleep.
Guys !!! Any hairspray works!! I have a cheap brand of hairspray and it totally worked !! Got it off without my mum seeing it I dosent work first time ,, try two or 3 times and it works
I was playing a card game named tonk on my phone and I busted a pen on mistake. Five minutes later ink was literally everywhere. I used Vaseline and it came off like magic
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I had a stain caused from water mixing with ink on some piece of junk mail. We tried baking soda, vinegar. Nope that didn't work. Then I thought hard for a minute, and ran to get my nail polish remover. It went like magic, like on TV when they are promoting something new and fantastic. Just pour it on, just be mindful of the type of counter you have.
By Lisa Hallman from Ajax, ON
Hi,
Just be careful using nail polish remover, as I tried that, and it took the finish off of my countertop. It left a smooth spot where the rest of the countertop is rough. (05/02/2006)
By Mary Bachert
I have always used a little bleach on a wet paper towel and let it soak for just a minute. It usually wipes right off and it's never hurt my formica countertop. The sooner you can catch the stain though the better. (05/02/2006)
I tried the nail polish remover, it lightened it, but it did not fully remove it. How did you use the hairspray? What kind of hairspray?
i honestly just used the tresemme brand and it worked like a charm. you may have to do it two or three times but all said and done it works.
