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

Discovering that you lot have an ink stain on a leather product isn't something that anyone wants to deal with, but information technology is possible to save your products. Say your child was running around and managed to get ink on the couch, or perchance you lot were cleaning out your briefcase and realized a pen exploded. Wherever the stain came from, we can help yous. We're going to prove you exactly how to remove ink from leather.

Spring To:

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

What to Consider Before Cleaning

You lot want to make sure to tackle the stain as soon equally you detect it, even if it'southward already set in and stale. If the stain is still fresh, dab upward whatever backlog ink before you lot try to make clean it up so you won't risk smudging it even more.

Before you tackle the ink stain on your leather, yous too have to determine if it'southward finished or naked leather. Suede is a naked leather, for instance. Finished leather, nonetheless, volition have a smooth or pebbled texture. If you aren't certain, you lot can exam the leather. Observe a spot on the item that can be hidden hands and put a drop of water on the leather. If the h2o beads upwardly, information technology's finished leather then you tin can go alee with cleaning. If information technology soaks into the leather, information technology's naked and you shouldn't endeavour to care for an ink stain yourself.

ballpoint pen on leather

Photograph via Crystal Clutch

Spot Testing

Regardless of what cleaning method y'all cull for removing the ink stains, you should always do a spot test on the leather outset. Discover a more subconscious area of the leather item and use any remedy you lot've chosen. Once the product or remedy is applied, exit information technology to sit for five to x minutes, then come back and run across how information technology looks. If the leather still looks normal, with no signs of discoloration or annihilation else, you can continue.

Something else to note is that yous should e'er use a white or uncolored material/rag when cleaning leather. Colored cloth tin transfer the dye to leather products.

Soap & Water

The least invasive option for removing ink stains from leather is going to be your classic soap and water solution. You desire to utilise a soap-based cleaner or saddle soap for this. Wet your textile and wring information technology out to make sure it's damp, not soaking wet. Rub the damp material over your soap, so gently rub it over the ink stain. Avert scrubbing at the spot. Repeat the process until the stain is removed, then blot it dry.

Saddle soap is a peachy product to have on hand if y'all have leather appurtenances. It can be used to clean things like ink stains off of leather, simply it also weather condition the leather and can exist used as a preventative product to end any damage from happening in the hereafter.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is an effective method, but it tin also be harsh on your leather products and tin cause damage which is why it's important to examination the method first. If you lot're using rubbing (isopropyl) booze to tackle your ink stain, don't pour the alcohol directly onto the surface. Accept a cotton brawl or cotton pad and cascade the alcohol onto it, then dab the cotton ball onto the ink stain. The stain will lift off as the cotton wool absorbs the ink. One time you're finished, dry the affected area immediately. A hairdryer is a good way to quickly and thoroughly dry the expanse. Once you're finished, status the leather to keep it intact.

Hairspray

If you don't have rubbing booze available to you, hairspray is a skillful secondary selection because isopropyl alcohol is 1 of the main ingredients in hairspray. Position the nozzle of the hairspray can equally close to the ink stain as possible, to avert spraying the non-stained areas. Apply the hairspray to the spot then permit it to sit for v minutes. Rinse the area off with common cold water, then dab the affected expanse with a newspaper towel or a material to remove excess product.

Pro Tip: If you have both rubbing alcohol and hairspray available to you, choose the alcohol. Rubbing alcohol will be more effective since hairspray manufacturers take reduced the booze content in the product—though it can still get the chore washed.

hairspray and non-acetone nail polish remover

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Nail Smoothen Remover

Smash polish is a potent, constructive option for removing more than deep-gear up ink stains—for those stains that y'all didn't notice right abroad and have had time to prepare. The of import thing to retrieve when using nail smooth remover to remove ink stains from leather is that it must be an acetone-free smooth remover. Acetone is harsh and will pause downwards the bones structure of the leather over fourth dimension, which can lead to the leather being breakable or croaky. It will work in the moment but you'll be doing more harm to the leather in the long run.

For applying the nail polish remover, utilize the same method as with rubbing alcohol. Apply a small corporeality to a cotton pad or ball and dab information technology into the spot. Once the spot has been lifted, clean off the affected 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 volition cause the surface to corrode and potentially leave a worse mark behind.

White vinegar in general is practiced for stain removal and is a safe option for your white leather products. Combine one/four cup of white vinegar with ane/two cup of olive oil and mix it in a spray bottle. Like with the hairspray method, employ the mixture directly to the stained area and let information technology sit for 5 minutes. Later the time has passed, rinse the area off and dab off any backlog product.

Commercial Leather Cleaner

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

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

amodex ink and stain remover

Photo Credit: Amodex

Dry out Cleaner

When in doubt, your all-time option is e'er going to be finding a professional leather cleaner or taking your stained items to a dry cleaner. If you've tried all the remedies yous can and it's still not coming out, you can take it to an expert to run into what they tin can exercise. This is going to be your simply option if you're trying to remove an ink stain on naked leather likewise.

How to Prevent Stains On Leather

Other than the obvious method of non spilling ink on your leather products, there are a few things you can do to maintain leather and forbid stains. While finished leather is already treated, you can add a leather protector of your own. Information technology will create a barrier for your leather items that makes cleaning easier and volition prevent stains from penetrating. To maintain your leather over fourth dimension, use a leather conditioner in one case or twice a twelvemonth. The conditioner will minimize cracking or peeling and tin help protect from stains.

leather sofa closeup

Photo Credit: Taylor Deas Melesh via Unsplash

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