| Copybooks don't get blotted very often these days, | | | | with fingernails and a knife. Then proceed as before, |
| now that fountain pens and dip pens aren't used in | | | | cleaning off the excess with a sponge dampened in |
| schools, with the result that ink gets all over books, | | | | fresh water, followed by drying flat on the open page. |
| desks and people. | | | | Unfortunately, if the mess contained oil or grease of |
| Instead, students use biros, starting a lot younger than | | | | any type, the mark will be more or less permanent, |
| they used to (that is, when they're not using classroom | | | | leaving the paper somewhat see-through. However, |
| computers for special projects). But books still get | | | | don't despair and throw the book out. By the looks of |
| grubby, and ink still stains. So how do you clean them? | | | | some of my old diaries, many of which had candlewax |
| Copybook professional? I haven't heard it yet... | | | | falling on them and leaving a see-through mark, these |
| Books are likely to get messy if they're read in | | | | grease marks on paper seem to fade with time, |
| conjunction with eating. Etiquette books will tell you not | | | | probably as the fats break down. |
| to read at the meal table at a formal meal, but there's | | | | Ink can still get everywhere, even though ballpoint pens |
| nothing wrong with a good book to accompany a solo | | | | don't leak as much as the old fountain pens did. Small |
| lunch. Or to help a reluctant young eater on the way. | | | | amounts of biro will just wash off hands, wooden |
| But food smears are inevitable, even with the most | | | | desks and clothes with a bit of warm soapy water. |
| tidy eater. | | | | Larger amounts need a bit of help in the form of |
| To clean liquid mess from books: Sponge up the | | | | strong alcohol (vodka, methylated spirits, surgical spirit, |
| excess straight away, using whatever's handy. If | | | | whisky...) applied to the spot. You may need to soak |
| possible, isolate the page with the mess so the water | | | | the ink stain with this to soften it before washing |
| or other liquid only gets on the one page - grabbing the | | | | normally. Strong alcohol falling on ballpoint pen ink |
| book by the spine and holding it so the water runs off | | | | makes it go all marbly-looking as the alcohol dissolves |
| the pages helps. If the liquid was sticky in any way, use | | | | the ink - this can be worth trying on paper for a special |
| a sponge damp with fresh water to remove the | | | | effect. |
| stickiness. Then dry the book flat, keeping it open on | | | | To remove permanent pen stains from bags, clothes |
| the page where the spill happened. This will stop the | | | | or carpet, strong alcohol is still your best friend. The |
| pages drying together and sticking, which can tear the | | | | sooner you get onto the stain, the better. Many people |
| pages when you try to open them next time. If pages | | | | swear by hair spray as the best way to remove |
| stick together and water is the culprit, you can | | | | permanent pen stains - once again, it's the alcohol that |
| separate them with minimal damage by sliding a sharp | | | | does the job. Alcohol also works for removing filthy |
| knife between the pages. | | | | graffiti in permanent pen off plastic or vinyl, e.g. on |
| To clear solid mess from book: Scrape off the excess | | | | school desks or playground equipment. |
| tomato sauce, porridge or baby food (or whatever) | | | | |