How to Remove Ink Stains from Leather

Did you find a pen mark on your leather purse? Did a pen leak in your leather jacket pocket? Have you found a pen ink stain on your leather couch? Pen ink will stain leather and the pen marks will remain visible on leather for years. But there's no reason to leave that ugly ink stain on your leather couch, leather purse or leather jacket! Learn how to remove pen marks and ink stains from leather!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol
• Cotton Ball
• Leather Conditioner
• Soft Cloth

1. DAB SOME ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL ON A COTTON BALL: Purchase some Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and pour some of the alcohol on a cotton ball.

2. PERFORM A SPOT TEST ON THE LEATHER: Whenever removing a stain from leather or any other delicate fabric or surface, you should always perform a spot test to ensure that you do not discolor or otherwise damage the leather. So apply some alcohol to an inconspicuous location and let it sit for 10 minutes. You should not have any problems; once this spot test is complete, move on to step 3.

3. REMOVE THE INK STAIN FROM THE LEATHER: Using an alcohol soaked cotton ball, rub the ink stain using a circular motion. This makes cleaning ink marks from leather fairly easy; the ink should come off pretty quickly.

4. USE LEATHER CONDITIONER TO CONDITION THE LEATHER: Once the ink stain is removed from the leather couch, leather jacket, leather purse or other leather item, you'll want to use some high quality leather conditioner to restore moisture and shine to the leather.

Tips & Warnings

• DO NOT USE HAIRSPRAY! One home remedy for removing ink stains from leather involves using hairspray. Do not do this! The alcohol contained in the hairspray is the active ingredient that works to clean the stained leather. The other ingredients in the hairspray can and will damage the leather.

Resources

• How to Remove Wax Stains from Clothing and Fabric
• How to Remove Food Stains from Clothing
• How to Remove a Liquid Stain from the Carpet
• How to Remove Stains from the Sink
• How to Remove Pet Stains from the Carpet
• How to Clean a Coffee Maker and Remove Coffee Stains

[CWilliams]

on 1/25/2009 Wow you are a God send! 5 kids and my husband jsut had to have that leather recliner :( With this article there is hope for my sanity yet! +5 and recommended

[jimdris]

on 1/25/2009 Valuable information on a proven method.

[blondehound]

on 1/25/2009 black is the color to go, *****

[wordstock]

on 1/25/2009 Thanks for the tips. I have leather to clean and haven't because I wasn't sure how.

[Elander]

on 1/25/2009 I didn't know you could do this. Thanks.