Pen has always been the go-to attribute when it comes to encoding information by hand. But, like anything else in this world, this writing tool has some disadvantages ranging from ink leaks to difficult ink removal. Contrary to popular belief, though, erasing pen is not impossible. Yes, some types of inks are extremely hard to remove. Also, erasing pen from delicate paper can end up with no results. But, in many other situations, fixing an error made by pen is possible. Here are some useful and easy tips to teach you how to erase pen.
Acetone
Acetone does a great job of removing ink stains, just as well as nail polish that contains acetone. But since acetone is liquid and wet paper rips easily off, you want to apply a microscopic amount of this product. Dip a cotton ball or a cotton bud in the acetone, wring it, and pad the messy paper.
If the paper is part of a journal, book, or notebook, place a protective tissue under it to prevent the ink from transferring onto the next page. Once the ink has been successfully removed, use the clothing iron to press the page back in shape and fully dry.
Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol has similar ink removal properties to acetone. Yet again, you have to be extremely careful and not exaggerate with the quantity used. More ink to be removed doesn’t mean more rubbing alcohol to be applied. That’s why, don’t pour the alcohol directly on the paper. Dip a cotton bud in alcohol and gently pat the spot. Don’t use harsh rubbing, as it can spread the ink on a larger area, and even worse, tear the paper.
Sandpaper
Sandpaper can also be of great help when it comes to erasing pen. Make sure to go only for fine grit sandpaper, which is the least harmful for your book or documents. Harsh sandpapers may remove the ink faster, but they can scratch and rip the thin page off. So you are better off erring on the side of caution.
So how to erase pen with sandpaper? Nothing difficult. Just take a small piece of sandpaper and brush the affected area. Use slow circular motions and keep yourself from applying brute force. Be as gentle as you can to preserve the integrity of the page.
Correction tape
You are best off using correction tape with printer ink or when there are too many pen doodles on your text. Correction tape doesn’t eliminate the ink, it just covers it so that the error is not visible. Using this office supply is a breeze. Just glide it over the ink that you want to remove.
Unlike acetone and rubbing alcohol — where you have to wait for the liquid to dry — correction tape allows you to write on it right away after its application. This can save you time if you are in a rush with a deadline or have the bad habit of not checking the text for grammar and spelling mistakes before printing it.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice goes a long way in removing ink from the paper. It’s its high acidity that erases the pen, leaving the notebook’s page clean. Just like the above-mentioned products, you are good to refrain from using the lemon juice in abundance. Instead, use a dropper to drop the juice precisely on the needed spot. The dropper also makes sure that you use a tiny quantity of juice, preventing paper damage.
Alternatively, you can dip a small painting brush in lemon juice then apply it on the ink you want to remove. Move the brush over the stain using painting motions. Keep doing it until the ink disappears. Don’t forget to dip the brush in the juice from time to time.
Razor blade
You can use a razor blade only on printer ink and you have to be extremely careful and follow the correct technique. Lay the blade closely to the ink and start scraping the letters off. Keep the blade level to prevent it cutting the paper. Work with one letter at a time, performing short strokes. Patience and precision are must-have features in doing this tedious task.
Switch to erasable pen
If you are tired of making mistakes in your notebook that require time and effort to be removed, consider using an erasable pen. Unlike traditional pens, this pen is lighter and is removable. So when you committ a mistake, just turn the pen upside down and wipe the ink away with the integrated eraser. This pen comes at a cost, but it’s a great choice if you need to remove ink many times during the day.
Baking soda paste
A combination of water and baking soda may also prove potent at removing ink. Add a tiny amount of water to the baking soda until it turns into a medium-density paste. Then soak a toothpick in the mixture and apply it on the inked area. Since it is an experimental method, you are good to try it first on an useless piece of paper. If you are happy with the results, you can use this paste on documents, journals and study notebooks.
Cotton ball
Fresh gel pen spills can be easily tackled by a cotton ball. No need to engage in fast and aggressive rubbing. Just dab on the ink with the cotton ball and let the absorbent cotton do its job. Take a new ball if the previous one got blue.
Bottom line
This article comes to suggest you some methods on how to erase pen. The main rule to remember when erasing pen is to be careful and gentle. No matter the gravity of the stain, don’t use harsh rubbing to remove it, as it can damage the paper. You want the paper to stay functional and decent-looking after the ink removal procedure. That is why, do your best to keep it intact while applying the products. Consider using an erasable pen if you don’t want to waste time and effort on removing ink from office documents and personal journal over and over.
