How to Remove Ink From Leather Car Interior

Leather makes a beautiful interior for cars and is also favored because of its ability to clean up well after general spills. However, an ink stain on the leather interior of your car is a different story. Depending on the ink and the kind of leather you have, the stain can be permanent, but if you act quickly and use the correct products, you can have your car looking like new again.

Things You'll Need

• Leather cleaner and conditioner
• Cloth
• Q-tips
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Hairspray

Instructions

1. Determine what kind of leather you have in your car. Finished leather will call for a different cleaning method than suede.

2. Use a commercial leather cleaner that is specifically meant for car interiors. If you are unsure what kind to get, contact your local automotive shop or a car dealership. They can advise you which product and cleaning method are best for your particular model.

3. If the commercial cleaner is ineffective, saturate a Q-tip with undiluted isopropyl alcohol. Before treating the spot, test for colorfastness on a hidden portion of the seat. Use the alcohol-saturated Q-tip only on the ink spot, as alcohol is very drying and you want to minimize any further damage to the leather. Continue to treat the spot until the ink is gone.

4. Use aerosol hairspray (Aquanet is recommended) try to remove an ink stain. Test for colorfastness in a inconspicuous spot before treating. Spray the hairspray directly onto the spot and immediately wipe up any drips that result. Allow the hairspray to sit for 1 minute before blotting the ink gently with a white cloth. Do not rub, to avoid spreading the ink. Continue to spray and blot until the ink is gone.

5. Once the ink has been removed from your leather, use a leather conditioner to help keep your leather supple after the drying treatments.

6. Consult a leather expert if your do-it-yourself remedies are unsuccessful. If all else fails, some leather can be painted over, but that is definitely a job for a professional. An automotive shop or car dealership in your area can recommend someone who specializes in car interiors.