How To Remove Ink From Leather [7 Proven Methods!]

Discovering that you take an ink stain on a leather production isn't something that anyone wants to deal with, merely it is possible to save your products. Say your child was running around and managed to go ink on the couch, or maybe you were cleaning out your briefcase and realized a pen exploded. Wherever the stain came from, we can aid y'all. We're going to show yous exactly how to remove ink from leather.

Leap To:

  • What to Consider Before Cleaning
  • Spot Testing
  • Soap & H2o
  • Rubbing Alcohol
  • Hairspray
  • Nail Polish Remover
  • Olive Oil & Vinegar
  • Commercial Leather Cleaner
  • How to Prevent Stains On Leather

What to Consider Before Cleaning

Y'all want to make sure to tackle the stain equally soon as you lot detect information technology, even if it'southward already set in and dried. If the stain is still fresh, dab upward whatsoever excess ink before you try to clean information technology upwardly so you won't risk smudging it even more.

Before y'all tackle the ink stain on your leather, you as well accept to determine if it'due south finished or naked leather. Suede is a naked leather, for example. Finished leather, notwithstanding, will accept a smooth or pebbled texture. If you aren't certain, yous can test the leather. Observe a spot on the detail that tin be hidden easily and put a drop of h2o on the leather. If the water beads up, information technology's finished leather so you tin go ahead with cleaning. If it soaks into the leather, it'southward naked and you shouldn't attempt to treat an ink stain yourself.

ballpoint pen on leather

Photograph via Crystal Clutch

Spot Testing

Regardless of what cleaning method yous cull for removing the ink stains, y'all should always do a spot test on the leather get-go. Find a more hidden surface area of the leather item and employ whatsoever remedy you've called. In one case the product or remedy is applied, exit it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, so come back and see how information technology looks. If the leather still looks normal, with no signs of discoloration or anything else, you tin go along.

Something else to note is that you should always utilize a white or uncolored cloth/rag when cleaning leather. Colored cloth tin can transfer the dye to leather products.

Lather & Water

The least invasive option for removing ink stains from leather is going to exist your classic lather and water solution. You want to use a soap-based cleaner or saddle lather for this. Wet your fabric and wring it out to make sure information technology'south damp, not soaking wet. Rub the damp cloth over your lather, and then gently rub it over the ink stain. Avoid scrubbing at the spot. Repeat the process until the stain is removed, then blot it dry.

Saddle soap is a great production to have on paw if you accept leather goods. It can be used to make clean things like ink stains off of leather, but it also conditions the leather and tin be used as a preventative product to stop any harm from happening in the time to come.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is an effective method, merely it tin besides be harsh on your leather products and can crusade damage which is why it's important to test the method kickoff. If you're using rubbing (isopropyl) booze to tackle your ink stain, don't pour the alcohol directly onto the surface. Take a cotton brawl or cotton pad and pour the alcohol onto it, then dab the cotton fiber ball onto the ink stain. The stain will elevator off as the cotton wool absorbs the ink. Once you're finished, dry the afflicted area immediately. A hairdryer is a good fashion to speedily and thoroughly dry out the area. Once you're finished, condition the leather to keep information technology intact.

Hairspray

If you don't accept rubbing booze bachelor to you, hairspray is a good secondary selection because isopropyl booze is i of the main ingredients in hairspray. Position the nozzle of the hairspray can as shut to the ink stain as possible, to avoid spraying the non-stained areas. Employ the hairspray to the spot and then allow it to sit for five minutes. Rinse the area off with cold h2o, then dab the affected surface area with a paper towel or a cloth to remove excess product.

Pro Tip: If yous have both rubbing alcohol and hairspray available to you, choose the alcohol. Rubbing alcohol will be more than effective since hairspray manufacturers accept reduced the alcohol content in the product—though information technology can still get the job done.

hairspray and non-acetone nail polish remover

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Blast Polish Remover

Nail shine is a potent, effective option for removing more deep-set ink stains—for those stains that you didn't detect right away and have had fourth dimension to set up. The important affair to remember when using blast polish remover to remove ink stains from leather is that information technology must be an acetone-free shine remover. Acetone is harsh and volition interruption down the basic construction of the leather over time, which can atomic number 82 to the leather being brittle or cracked. It will work in the moment but yous'll exist doing more damage to the leather in the long run.

For applying the blast smoothen remover, use the same method as with rubbing alcohol. Apply a small amount to a cotton fiber pad or brawl and dab information technology into the spot. Once the spot has been lifted, clean off the afflicted area and dry it.

Olive Oil & Vinegar

Olive oil and vinegar is a cleaning combination that is specifically best for removing stains on white leather. Most commercial cleaners or home remedies won't work on white leather because they will cause the surface to corrode and potentially leave a worse mark backside.

White vinegar in full general is good for stain removal and is a rubber option for your white leather products. Combine 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1/two cup of olive oil and mix it in a spray bottle. Like with the hairspray method, utilise the mixture directly to the stained expanse and let it sit for five minutes. Later on the fourth dimension has passed, rinse the surface area off and dab off any backlog product.

Commercial Leather Cleaner

Using a commercial leather cleaner is going to be a safe selection for all types of leather products, whether you're trying to remove an ink stain on a pair of leather shoes, a car seat, or a couch.

Amodex'south Ink Stain Remover is one of the most pop options for removing tough ink stains, as is a Magic Eraser. For the nigh constructive use, follow the instructions that come up with the product.

amodex ink and stain remover

Photo Credit: Amodex

Dry out Cleaner

When in incertitude, your best pick is always going to be finding a professional leather cleaner or taking your stained items to a dry cleaner. If you've tried all the remedies you can and it's even so not coming out, you lot tin can take it to an expert to see what they can do. This is going to exist your simply option if you're trying to remove an ink stain on naked leather also.

How to Preclude Stains On Leather

Other than the obvious method of not spilling ink on your leather products, at that place are a few things you lot can do to maintain leather and prevent stains. While finished leather is already treated, you tin can add a leather protector of your ain. It volition create a barrier for your leather items that makes cleaning easier and will foreclose stains from penetrating. To maintain your leather over time, employ a leather conditioner once or twice a twelvemonth. The conditioner will minimize swell or peeling and can help protect from stains.

leather sofa closeup

Photo Credit: Taylor Deas Melesh via Unsplash

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