How to Remove Ink From Leather
Ink is a pesky substance to remove from surfaces, especially delicate surfaces such as leather. Though a professional cleaner is your best option for removing permanent marker ink from leather items, there are a few at-home cleaning methods that you can use to save yourself a little extra money when dealing with ballpoint pen ink. Natural leather, which has no protective coating, can absorb cleaning products, which can damage the leather; therefore, this type of leather should be taken to a professional for cleaning, no matter the type of ink. You can treat finished leather, on the other hand, at home for ballpoint pen stains. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Cotton swab
- Rubbing alcohol
- Soap-based cleanser
- Water
- Clean white rag
- Hair spray
- Clear, liquid dishwashing soap
Instructions
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Alcohol and Soap Method
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1
Moisten a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol. Carefully work the stain from the outside toward the center in a circular motion with the cotton swab. Do not scrub the stain -- this can damage the surface of the leather or set the stain into the material; instead use a gentle wiping motion.
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2
Blot up the alcohol and stain using a dry cotton swab. Press the cotton swab into the stain and lift it up off the surface. Move the swab over to the next portion of the stain and continue the up-and-down motion until the cotton swab absorbs the alcohol.
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3
Mix a soap-based cleanser, such as Ivory soap, with water until sudsy. Wet a white cloth in the solution and carefully wash the area using the rag in a circular motion, but do not scrub.
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4
Fold a clean, white-colored cloth into quarters. Holding it in one hand, blot the cloth, using an up-and-down motion, firmly pressing the cloth into the stain. As you take the cloth off the stain, move it slightly over so you blot a new area of the stain. Re-fold the cloth, putting the wet area inside, so you can blot more of the soap and stain up. Repeat this process until you have blotted up as much of the soap as you can. As you are blotting, do not rub. Let the area dry before use.
Hair-Spray Method
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5
Use hair spray to remove ink stains on light-color leather. Spray a light coating of hair spray directly over the stain and let it sit for a few moments, but do not let it dry.
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6
Rub the stain gently using a clean, white cloth in a circular motion. If the stain does not remove, continue on.
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7
Re-wet the stain with another mist of hair spray. Add two to three droplets of clear, liquid dishwashing soap on top of the stain. Rub the stain with your fingers or a clean cotton swab.
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8
Wipe up the stain using a clean,white rag that is rinsed with warm water.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use a solvent-based cleanser. These cleansers can remove color from the leather or wear away at the protective coating.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
