Lazlo Biro patented the ballpoint pen in 1943. He then (we're told) put it in his pocket and got a nasty ink stain on his best shirt. Biro's ink invention is made of oil and dye, so quick action and special solutions are needed to remove it. It pays to plan ahead. With ink stains time works against you. Have solutions handy before accidents happen. For ballpoint ink, use solvents or alcohol-based cleaners first. Dry-cleaning solvent is best, but many other items such as hair spray and rubbing alcohol also will cut the oil in the ink. Then use a mild detergent and blot it out along with the dye. It works. And that's the On The House tip for today.