Cleaning wooden pen holders

[JaniceB]

I've googled this question and found no help. I have a wooden pen holder (I have no idea what kind of wood) that my ink has built up on. How do I clean this? I have a bottle of pen cleaner that I tried putting on paper towel and wiping off. Didn't work. I don't figure it needs to be soaked in anything. Can anyone help?

[darrin1200]

Hi Janice

I'm guessing that you got some ink on the wood and it stained, a picture might help. There could be a lot of factors affecting how "cleanable" it is.

Here is a couple of questions to start.
What type of holder is it?
Do you know the type of finish on the wood?
Do you know who made the holder?
What type of pen cleaner did you try to use?

I'm sure with all the experience here, we can find some sort of solution.

[randy2]

Hi Janis
If it's wood like you say it is and you bought it commercially it will have a finish on it. In that case take out your nib and wipe it down with denatured alcohol. That's the mildest solvent and won't hurt your pen. If you have an unfinished wood holder try the alcohol or just paint your holder.

There is more you can do but I think the steps I've given should be fine and the next ones will require some more information from you.this should work if not tell me what brand you have and a pic.

[JaniceB]

I can't find my order number but I'm pretty sure it's the third in line. I'll take a picture of mine tonight and post. I realize it's not as nice as some but I started small before I spent a lot of money on something I wouldn't stick with. Of course now I'm obsessed!

[garyn]

Any in that has gotten into the wood will have stained the wood.  You might be able to bleach out the ink, but I've never seen wood that was chemically treated to get rid of a stain look decent, unless it was dark stained or painted.

What kind of ink have you been using.
By saying "...my ink has built up on" makes me think you are using acrylic ink.

[JaniceB]

I have Dr Martins Bombay cleaner. I use De Martins Bombay ink and FW which I believe is acrylic.

[JaniceB]

This pic shows the ink build up

[AAAndrew]

That's not a stain, that's patina! 

Says the vintage holder guy.

If it's acrylic, then very hot water and scrubbing works. Unfortunately, the water will also soak into the end grain of the wood. There is the possibility of it warping the holder a little, or even cracking it if it dries too quickly.

If you really want to get it off, what I would do is try and soak it in very hot water and scrub with a toothbrush, stiff bristles, if you can find one these days.  I've heard Pine-sol works as well after a soak. May damage the finish, though. I don't know. You could write to John Neal Books and ask. They know a lot of things.

[Elizabeth O.]

Have you tried Windex?

[JaniceB]

I have not tried Windex. Only the ink cleaner and alcohol. And I am scared to soak in water because I'm scared it will ruin the wood. I may try steel wool or hard brush tho. I'll let y'all know! 

[Estrella]

Am I the only one that lets mine be?! lol.
Of course, not right away... but after a while of use and cleaning, it just gets to the point to which I make sure to clean the nibs properly and the flange itself. But if there is stubborn ink staining that just won't come off with a regular wipe down, it becomes part of the charisma of the penholder! 

[JaniceB]

Estrella you may be the smartest of all of us!! I guess it does give character!

[Moya]

I'm with Estrella :-D Chips of gold and brown are just natural ... right? They are marks of a well used and well loved tool.

At least that's my story and I am sticking with it.

[AAAndrew]

Like I said. Patina!

[Inked botanicals]

I am with Estrella too. I love stained (not dirty) palettes and pens. I must confess when I got my first dinky dips and their wood holder, I dipped my nibs with some extra "passion" to get some splashes. The holder looked excessively clean.