Printer cartridges are commonly used at home and in the office, but stains resulting from a leaking cartridge can be difficult to remove from clothing and carpets. Here are a few tried and tested methods for removing ink stains caused by printer cartridges. Carpet Stains: The important thing to remember when treating any type of stain is to treat it as quickly as possible. If an ink stain is allowed to dry, it will be much harder to remove. If there is a lot of ink on the carpet, the residue should be scraped away manually before treating the stain. A piece of cardboard or a plastic ruler is ideal for this. The area should then be treated with rubbing alcohol, if this is available. The alcohol should first be applied to a cloth or towel and then the stained area of carpet should be gently dabbed with the cloth to dissolve the blemish. The area should always be dabbed, rather than rubbed, as the motion of rubbing will spread the stain further. If there is no rubbing alcohol available, a mixture of carpet-safe detergent and water could be applied to the area, using the same method as described above. Washing up liquid or soap is ideal, as it is unlikely to damage the carpet. The area should be dabbed until no more ink is coming away on the cloth. Then, a clean towel, cloth or paper towel should be used to blot the area dry, continuing with new towels if ink is still coming out of the carpet. The area should be then rinsed with clean water, so remove the soap residue, and left to dry. If a stain persists, then further treatment with a specialised stain remover may be required. Stained Clothing: There are various methods that can be used to treat ink stained clothing. Treat the stain immediately with soapy water as quickly as possible. This will minimise the risk of the ink drying and proving harder to remove. The garment should then be rinsed in lukewarm water. Hairspray is a common treatment for ink stained clothing, although care should be taken, as the spray itself can leave a mark. The hairspray should be applied to the back of the stain and then the area blotted with a clean cloth to remove as much of the ink as possible. Alternatively, nail varnish remover can be used the same way. Another method is to soak the garment in hot sour milk, or hot milk with some lemon juice added. Leave the garment for as long as possible in the milk and then wash as normal. This is a really effective way to remove tricky ink stains. Alternatively, use a specialist stain remover designed specifically for ink stains, or gets the advice of a dry cleaner as to an effective solvent. Delicate fabrics, such as silk, should always be dry cleaned, as any attempt to remove the stain may result in fabric damage. By treating ink stains caused by a printer cartridge quickly and effectively, the risk of permanent staining is minimised.