How to get ink off of dolls

Published: Jul 16, 2010
Updated: Jan 14, 2020
2 minute read

Ink can get on dolls through a variety of mistakes, including curious children who want to experiment with a pen and adults with a pen in their hand that accidentally marks the doll. Removing ink from a doll, whether the doll is made from plastic, cloth or porcelain, can be accomplished through a few different methods.

Spray a small amount of hairspray on a clean cotton swab and apply to the ink stain on the doll. Repeat until the ink is removed. This method is best for porcelain or plastic dolls.

Dampen a stain removing sponge, such as a Magic Eraser, and gently apply to the ink stain on the doll. Scrub gently until the ink stain is gone. This method will work on cloth, plastic or porcelain dolls.

Dip a clean cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and then wipe over the ink stain. Repeat until the ink is gone. This step is best for plastic dolls.

Gently dampen a soft, clean, cloth with a small amount of vodka. Gently wipe over the ink stain and follow with a clean cloth dampened with water. This method will work on cloth, plastic or porcelain surfaces, but be cautious when using on a cloth doll not to oversaturate the cloth material to avoid further staining.

Apply a small amount benzoyl peroxide cream, such as an acne topical treatment like OxyCream with 10 per cent benzoyl peroxide. Allow the cream to penetrate the ink for approximately 3 hours and then wipe clean with warm water. Repeat as needed until the ink is gone. This method is best for plastic dolls.

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Apply a small amount of a solvent substance like WD-40 to the ink and then wipe clean with a damp, clean cloth. This method is best for plastic and porcelain dolls. WD-40 can be purchased at most grocery stores, chemists or hardware stores.

Rub a small amount of stain remover, such as Tide Stain Eraser, over the ink stain. Repeat until the ink is gone. This method is best for cloth dolls. Stain remover can be purchased at most grocery or chemists.

Apply a small amount of plastic cleaner, available at most hardware stores or home repair stores, to a clean cotton pad and rub gently over the ink stain. Follow with a clean, damp cloth. This method works for all types of dolls 1.

Photo Credits

Vintage Doll image by gsmith from Fotolia.com

Meredith Jameson

Meredith Jameson writes early childhood parenting and family health articles for various online publications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from San Francisco State University.

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