First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Unplug the device and take off any cables before you touch the stain.
- Work from the outer edge of the stain toward the middle, never in a scrubbing motion.
- Test any cleaner on a hidden spot before it goes near the stain.
- Leave the device off until the surface is completely dry.
Ink on electronics is hard because the cleaners that lift ink from fabric are the ones a device can't take. Water is fine with care, but soaking, chlorine and abrasives are out. Fresh marks have the best chance with a dry cloth, while dried ink may leave a mark, and some inks may never come out completely.
Power the device off before you wipe, and keep moisture away from ports and speaker openings. An ink stain on phone screen usually comes up with a dry microfiber cloth, so save anything more for a stubborn mark. If ink has gotten inside the device, stop there and take it to a repair professional.
Before you start
What electronics & screens can take
Use with care2
- Water
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
Avoid4
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Oxygen bleach
- Scrubbing and abrasives
4 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Soft, dry, lint-free clothLifts loose ink without leaving fibers behind, and it's the only cloth for the first wipe. (opens Amazon)
- Slightly damp, lint-free clothHandles the marks that a dry cloth leaves behind. (opens Amazon)
- Cleaner intended for screensGoes on the cloth for screens, and only for screens. (opens Amazon)
- 70% isopropyl alcohol or a disinfecting wipeFor hard-to-remove smudges on hard, nonporous parts after a hidden-spot test. (opens Amazon)
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5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Unplug and clear the cables
Unplug the device and remove all cables and external power before you touch the stain. Leave it off until the surface has dried completely.
Step 2 of 5
Wipe with a dry cloth
Start with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to lift loose ink off the surface. Use light strokes from the outside edge of the stain toward the middle, so the ink doesn't spread.
Tip. Switch to a clean section of the cloth after each pass.
Step 3 of 5
Try a slightly damp cloth
If the mark is still there, dampen a soft, lint-free cloth slightly, enough to feel moisture but not drip. Wipe with light strokes, lifting the ink onto the cloth rather than pushing it deeper.
Tip. Wring the cloth out well before it touches the device.
Careful. Don't get moisture into any openings, and don't submerge the device.
Step 4 of 5
Use screen cleaner on the cloth
If the device has a screen, apply a cleaner made for screens to the cloth, then wipe the ink away with small, gentle circles. Stop when the ink stops coming off, and let the screen dry before you turn it on.
Step 5 of 5
Pretest, then wipe with alcohol
Test 70% isopropyl alcohol, 75% ethyl alcohol or a disinfecting wipe on a hidden spot first, and stop if color transfers or changes. If it passes, wipe the hard, nonporous part of the stain gently with one of them, then let it air dry.
Careful. Use alcohol and disinfecting wipes only on hard, nonporous parts, never on fabric or leather.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for ink on electronics & screens
Look for a screen cleaner labeled for electronic displays, and keep a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe on hand for hard, nonporous parts only.
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on electronics & screens, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
Fresh ink lifts onto the cloth in blue or black streaks, and the surface looks even once it has dried. If the cloth stops picking up color and the mark looks the same, stop, because more rubbing won't help.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your electronics & screens
Printers
Printers follow the same electronics rules with a different layout, so unplug the printer and wait until it's fully off before you wipe anything. Ink on the outside housing, control panel and glass gets the dry wipe and damp cloth steps above.
Ink inside the printer, around the cartridges, rollers or paper path, is a different job. There's no safe method here for that area, so don't spray, poke or wipe inside, and take the printer to a repair service if ink has leaked into it.
Phone covers
Check what the cover is made of first, because a silicone case, a hard plastic shell and a leather cover need different handling. If it's leather, use the dry wipe and then a slightly damp cloth, and never use alcohol on it; the Leather guide covers leather care in more depth.
If you can't tell the material, don't guess. Use only the dry wipe and a slightly damp cloth, and test anything else on an inside edge first, because cleaning leather may change its color.
AirPods
AirPods are small electronics, so start with the same dry wipe and keep the speaker holes and charging port dry. Use a light touch on the outside of the earbuds and the case, and keep the lid open while you work.
If ink has settled into the speaker mesh, leave it alone rather than digging at it, and take the device to a service provider.
TI calculator screen
Turn the calculator off first, and keep moisture away from the keys and the battery area. Use the soft, dry, lint-free cloth on the screen, then a slightly damp cloth only if ink remains.
Skip the alcohol wipe and any screen cleaner on a calculator until you've tested a hidden spot. If the ink doesn't lift with a damp cloth, stop, because more force risks damaging the screen.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Ink that has been on the device for a while is harder to lift, because it has had time to bond with the surface. Don't move to stronger chemicals, since the cleaners that work on fabric aren't allowed here. Repeat the damp cloth and screen cleaner steps gently, one pass at a time.
Dried ink softens slowly, so it needs patience rather than pressure. Hold the damp cloth on the spot briefly before wiping, and avoid scrubbing at the mark.
If the ink still shows after the gentle passes, stop and accept that it may not lift fully. Pushing harder with abrasives or bleach can damage the surface, which is a worse result than a faint mark. An authorized service provider can look at the device if the mark bothers you.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on ink on electronics & screens?
Most home remedies aren't safe on electronics, so stick to cleaners the device can take. Each common fix is either unsafe or limited on electronics.
Works1Skip1Avoid5
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use bleach or peroxide
Chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide and oxygen bleach are all off limits on electronics. Keep them out of your kit, even for a last wipe.
Don't spray the device
Spray the cloth, never the device, because liquid can run into ports, buttons and other openings. This goes for every cleaner, including the screen cleaner.
Don't use paper towels or rough cloths
Paper towels and abrasive cloths can scratch the surface and leave fibers behind. Stick to a soft, lint-free cloth for every step.
Don't use household cleaners or acetone
Window cleaners, household sprays, aerosols, solvents, ammonia, abrasive cleaners and acetone-based products all stay off displays. If a product is meant for a kitchen or a bathroom, it doesn't belong on a device.
When to call a professional
If liquid makes its way inside the device, stop cleaning and get help from an authorized service provider. Don't try to dry out the inside yourself, because that's a job for someone with the right tools.
Questions
Can ink come off a phone screen completely?
Fresh ink often lifts with a dry cloth and a slightly damp one. Dried or old ink may leave a faint mark even with careful work, and that's a better result than a damaged screen.
How long should the device stay off after cleaning?
Until the surface has dried completely, which is the safest choice. Plugging it in while it's damp is a risk you don't need to take.
Will ink come off AirPods completely?
Fresh ink on the outside often lifts with a dry cloth. Ink that has soaked into the speaker mesh may not come out at home, and it's better to leave it than to dig at it.
Can I clean ink off a printer's glass?
Yes, the glass and outside panels follow the dry and damp cloth steps. Don't spray inside the printer, because there's no safe method here for the cartridges and rollers.
Does a pen mark on a phone cover come off?
It can, but the material decides the method. Hard plastic can take the dry and damp cloths, while leather needs a hidden-spot test first.
What if the ink doesn't come off at all?
Stop there rather than pushing harder. More force usually causes more damage than the ink, and some inks won't lift completely.
Ink on other materials
Other stains on electronics & screens
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.