So, I'm subletting a room from a really nice person but I did
something really strange today. I was trying to reach for the light
switch but I knocked the phone into the trash can below it.
Unfortunately, there was also a busted pen in the trash can so ink got
all over the phone (it's a corded phone made of plastic, pretty old.
the pen is a normal, ballpoint, Bic pen). So I tried soap, amonia,
nail polish remover, everything it seems like. So I was wondering if
you could help me clean off the ink off of the phone. If there isn't a
way to clean it off, could you tell me what I should do to make it up
to her? This is only my second day staying with her and I would hate
to get on her bad side already. Thank you!

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Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 06 Jun 2006 01:42 PDT

I'll bet on INK NIX:
http://www.inknix.com/ (unfinished site)

Here's why the site is not done, it's a name change!
http://www.richardspens.com/?page=accessories/worldsbest.htm

Let me know if it works!

I suggest you tell her what happened and offer to buy a replacement
phone. She might say "don't worry about it" and let you keep using the
stained phone. She might take you up on your offer. She might take it
out of your security/cleaning deposit. I believe honesty is the best
policy.

I'd try alcohol on a cotton ball. Alcohol often takes ink stains off
of plastic. If it does not work on that type of plastic, I like
czh-ga's suggestion.

Maybe try bleach.

"pretty old corded phone with ink stains" 

Dude, buy a new corded digital phone!!!

Chux "Magic Eraser" hard surface cleaner (looks similar to a kitchen
scourer/sponge). I used it to clean my phone, although I don't think
there was ink on it, it was pretty grubby and the "Magic Eraser"
worked well. The packaging advertises that it removes Ink & Crayon.

Web Site: www.chux.com.au

There's a change this product may only be available in Australia.

Rubbing Alcohol or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

I would buy her a new phone if it weren't for the fact that she's
really attached to her things so she wouldn't like it very much or
appreciate it. Also, I have told her, it's just that she was really
upset about it.

I suspect that you are male.

I doubt a male would choose the username brainsnlegs...

You have a point Cynthia

- it seems the 'brains' are overriding the female intuition

- I would have expected a female (under the situation) to confess,
apologize profusely and turn the problem into a cooperative effort to
find a solution.