How to Remove Ink Stains from Cement

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

Cement is often mistaken for concrete. But the fact is, cement is just one of the components of concrete. Concrete is a porous material that can easily gets stained so if your cement floor has an ink stain, don't worry because the porosity of concrete makes the stain removable. The concrete actually absorbs the ink stain. The methods listed in this article will reverse the staining process. The dissolved ink stain will be lifted up with the liquid and will be re-absorbed by the poultice or cotton batting. This is a very effective way to remove ink stains from cement.

Steps

It's vital to deal with the ink spill right away. It is easier to remove a fresh ink stain than a dried one. Blot the ink spill with a cloth or paper towel and absorb as much of the ink as you can. Do not rub, rubbing might spread the stain. Use a new cloth or paper towel when necessary. Repeat the process until the cloth is not absorbing any more of the ink. Wear chemical protective gloves, mouth mask, safety glasses and protective clothing to protect you from the strong chemicals you will be using.

Different kinds of ink will require different kinds of treatments. Determine what kind of ink stained your cement and use the appropriate method from below.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Sodium Percarbonate Method

This method can be used to remove ordinary writing ink stains and bright-colored ink stains from cement.

1
Combine 2 tablespoons of sodium perborate and 1 cup of very hot water in a large bowl to make a sodium perborate hot bleach solution.
2
Add whiting to the solution until the mixture forms into a thick paste. Whiting can be bought in some paint stores. If whiting is not available, you can use kitchen flour.

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3
Thoroughly wet the surface to be treated with clean, clear water. Saturate the affected area with water.
4
Apply the paste to the stained area in a ¹⁄₄ inch (0.6 cm) thick layer using a wood or plastic spatula. Make sure you spread the poultice evenly on the stained area. Let it sit until it's dry.
5
Brush or scrape off the dried poultice using a wooden scraper.
6
Pour scouring powder on the affected area.
7
Use a stiff bristle brush to scrub the surface.
8
Thoroughly clean and rinse the area with clean water to remove any residual staining.
9
Dry the area with clean towels. Repeat the treatment if the ink stain is still visible on your cement.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Ammonia Water Method

This method can be used to remove bright-colored ink stains, some blue ink stains and indelible ink stains from concrete.

1
Mix 1 tablespoonful of ammonia with 1 cup of water in a large bowl to make ammonia water.
2
Thoroughly wet the surface to be treated with clean, clear water. Saturate the affected area with water.
3
Saturate a piece of cotton batting in the ammonia water.
4
Apply the cotton batting to the stained area. Let it sit until it's dry.
5
Pour scouring powder on the affected area.
6
Use a stiff bristle brush to scrub the surface.
7
Thoroughly clean and rinse the area with clean water to remove any residual staining.
8
Dry the area with clean towels. Repeat the treatment if the ink stain is still visible on your concrete.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Javelle Water Method

This method can be used to remove bright-colored ink stains from cement.

1
Put 1 pound of washing soda in an agate pan.
2
Add 1 quart of boiling water to the washing soda.
3
Mix 1 1/2 pound of chloride of lime with 2 quarts of cold water in another container.
4
Let the lime-water mixture settle. Pour the clear liquid into the soda and water mixture to make Javelle water. Store this solution in colored bottles; light affects its strength.
5
Pour 1 cup of Javelle water into a large bowl.
6
Add whiting to the Javelle water until the mixture forms into a thick paste. Whiting can be bought in some paint stores. If whiting is not available, you can use kitchen flour.
7
Thoroughly wet the surface to be treated with clean, clear water. Saturate the affected area with water.
8
Apply the paste to the stained area in a ¹⁄₄ inch (0.6 cm) thick layer using a wood or plastic spatula. Make sure you spread the poultice evenly on the stained area. Let it sit until it's dry.
9
Brush or scrape off the dried poultice using a wooden scraper.
10
Pour scouring powder on the affected area.
11
Use a stiff bristle brush to scrub the surface.
12
Thoroughly clean and rinse the area with clean water to remove any residual staining.
13
Dry the area with clean towels. Repeat the treatment if the ink stain is still visible on your cement.

Warnings

Ammonia is toxic and can irritate the eyes.

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Sodium percarbonate is toxic and flammable.

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Do not mix chlorine with ammonia; it will result to a poisonous gas.

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There should be sufficient ventilation wherever you are working.

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