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Theres something almost romantic about an ink stain.

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Did it arrive during a sudden spark of inspiration or after an emotional outburst?

Perhaps it was the result of late night list-making or the feverish penning of a secret love letter.

Or, maybe, the tearful writing of agoodbye note.

Of course, many ink stains occur while engaging in lifes more mundane endeavors.

Signing paperwork; jotting a number on a sticky note.

One could argue, however, that those everyday situations are no less mythical or compelling.

But ink stainslike ghostsare also notoriously difficult to remove.

So, how, pray tell, should we go about removing ink stains from clothes?

Is it even possible?

Once these bonds are established, they become part of the fabrics structure itself.

Still, every specter must have an exorcist and, luckily, ink has several.

Best of all, you probably already have many of them in your medicine cabinet or pantry.

For stubborn stains, try a paste of baking soda and water, she recommends.

After treating, rinse the item in cool water before laundering in the machine at cold or room temperature.

Check to see that the stain is removed before drying.

And remember, before treating any stain, always test in an inconspicuous area first, Barriger says.

To that end, Barriger recommends using a commercial leather cleaner that is specifically formulated for gentle treating.

Apply cleaning solutions sparingly with a cotton swab.

After cleaning, condition the leather to prevent drying.

Apply rubbing alcohol with a cotton ball, working from the outside of the stain inward, Barrister advises.

Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary.

you might also try hand sanitizer or acetone-freenail polish remover.

Use a mixture of white vinegar and cornstarch to create a paste, Barrister says.

Apply to stain, let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with cold water.

Some inks may be permanent and require professional cleaning.