As you lifted your coffee cup, did you notice that it left a circular mark on an expensive book or maybe you have placed important documents on the greasy kitchen counter and now they are stained with oil? Or maybe you cut yourself turning the pages of a book borrowed from the library, which is now stained with blood? Don't panic! This article will tell you how to remove stains without further damaging the paper.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Preparing to Clean
Step 1. Act promptly
Acting immediately is the most important thing to be able to effectively clean the paper. The earlier you start removing the stain, the better the results will be. Leaving the dirt undisturbed will give it time to set on the paper, so it will be much harder to remove it.
If the stain dries up on a valuable piece of paper, it will still be possible to remove it, but the methods indicated are quite complicated, so it is best to have an expert deal with it. If those explained in this article are not enough, consult a professional
Step 2. Assess the damage
First try to understand if the stained object is recoverable. In general, these methods are suitable for removing not too large patches, for example a small tea stain; it would be useless to use them to try to retrieve a book that has fallen into dirty water.
Step 3. Determine what type of stain it is
Before you do anything, find out what the substance is that stained the paper. It is necessary to choose the most suitable method to remove it. This article explains how to remove three of the most common stains:
-
Stains of a watery nature:
this is probably the most common occurrence. Water-based substances include most beverages, including tea, coffee, and fizzy drinks. These liquids act as a kind of ink, leaving a pigment on the paper after the stain dries.
-
Oily stains:
as the name suggests, we are talking about oils, for example those used in cooking. Generally oily substances are more difficult to remove than aqueous ones, as the grease makes the paper transparent.
-
Blood stains:
Whether it comes from a paper cut or a nosebleed, it is not uncommon for a book to be stained with blood. Although blood is technically a watery substance, it is best to take special measures to avoid yellow halos remaining on the paper.
Part 2 of 4: Remove Stains of Watery Nature
Step 1. Try to dry the paper as best you can with a sheet of absorbent paper folded over on itself several times
When wet, replace it with a dry one to absorb any remaining liquid. Remember that it is best to blot the stain gently to prevent it from spreading further on the sheet. Move the blotting paper up and down carefully to avoid damaging the document.
Step 2. Clean and dry a waterproof surface to place the stained paper on
Make sure it is perfectly clean to avoid having to remove a second stain! Make sure the paper stays in place by placing clean, waterproof objects on two or more corners of the paper. This is to reduce the risk of puckering.
Step 3. Dampen a clean sheet of paper towels, then gently blot the stain again
Repeat using more clean paper until it stops absorbing the color of the aqueous substance that stained the document; if it hasn't had time to dry, you should be able to get rid of most of the pigment. If the stain is still visible, go to the next step.
Step 4. Make a vinegar solution
Pour 120 ml of "white" wine vinegar and 120 ml of water into a bowl. Remember that the vinegar must necessarily be white (transparent), otherwise it will stain the paper further. Mix the solution away from the stained sheet so as not to risk getting it wet and damaging it further.
Step 5. Dampen a cotton ball with the vinegar and water solution, then tap it very gently on one or two inconspicuous letters
Check the cotton for any traces of ink. Some printing methods generate ink that does not melt, but not all, so to avoid further damaging the page, test the method on a very short word in an unimportant part of the paper.
- If the ink does transfer to the cotton, it is almost certain that if you try to remove the stain, you risk damaging the print.
- If the cotton is not stained, you can proceed to the next step.
Step 6. Dab the cotton on the stain
The remaining pigment should be dissolved by the vinegar and absorbed by the cotton. If the stain was large or dark, you may need to repeat the process several times, replacing the cotton with a clean one as it gets dirty. Using clean swabs avoids the risk of accidentally spreading the stain on the page.
Step 7. Blot the spot where the stain was with a clean sheet of paper towels
Let the document dry naturally. If it's a book page, leave it open there. Put the absorbent paper on both sides of the paper, if necessary you can use some object to keep it in direct contact with the wet part.
Part 3 of 4: Remove Oily Stains
Step 1. Blot excess oil with paper towels
As with watery stains, in this case too it is important to intervene as soon as possible. Generally, oily substances do not stick to paper in the same way as aqueous ones, but they can still spread quickly. Wash your hands before proceeding with the next method to make sure they are not greasy.
Step 2. Fold a sheet of blotting paper
It must be at least double and larger than the spot. Now place it on a solid, clean surface. Choose a countertop that doesn't risk being damaged by oil should it go through the paper. The ideal is to work on the kitchen counter, on a glass table or on a metal surface. Avoid wooden furniture.
Step 3. Place the stained sheet on the paper towel
Align it so that the spot is in the center of the first one. Since the stain may spread slightly over time, the blotting paper sheet should be 2-3 cm wider than its current size (on each side).
Step 4. Fold a second sheet of blotting paper, then lay it over the stain
Also in this case it must be at least double and 2-3 cm wider than the stained surface. This caution is especially important to avoid greasing the object used in the next step.
Step 5. Place a heavy book on the second sheet of blotting paper
It's best to use one with a hard cover. You can actually use any object, as long as it is flat and heavy. If the page of a book is stained, close it with the paper towels inside, then place another one on top.
Step 6. Remove the weight after a few days
By then the stain should be completely gone. If it is still visible, try replacing the paper towels and reposition the weight until the next day. If any traces of oil remain, continue with the next step.
Step 7. Cover the stain completely with baking soda and let it sit overnight
The stained paper shouldn't be visible, so use enough baking soda to hide it. You can also use a different absorbent powder, as long as it doesn't stain.
Step 8. Remove the baking soda and check the stain
Repeat steps 7-8 using clean baking soda until it disappears completely. If after a few tries the oil is still visible, you may need to go to an experienced restorer, but be aware that these are generally very expensive services.
Part 4 of 4: Remove Blood Stains
Step 1. Dab as much blood as possible with a clean, dry cotton ball or paper towel
If it's not your blood, be cautious and wear a pair of gloves throughout the process. Some blood pathogens can remain contagious for several days even outside the body. When finished, carefully discard any material you used to clean.
Step 2. Dampen a cotton ball with cold water and use it to gently blot the stain
The paper should be only slightly damp. If possible, cool the water in a bowl with ice cubes. Never use hot or lukewarm water to wash out the blood as the heat helps it set, so it could make the stain permanent.
Step 3. Blot the wet stain with a dry cotton swab
Gently pat it on the area until it dries. Stop as soon as the paper has dried, otherwise you risk ruining it.
Step 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the blood is completely absorbed by the cotton
Chances are you will have to do them several times. If the bloodstain is recent, it should be gone by now. However, if after a few attempts it is still visible, continue with the next step.
Step 5. Purchase a bottle of hydrogen peroxide with a 3% concentration
Repeat steps 2 and 3 using it instead of plain water. Repeat as long as necessary. Do not try to remove blood stains using bleach as it can break down the proteins found in the blood, leaving an unsightly yellow mark on the paper.
