How to Get Sharpie Marker Off of an Italian Leather Sofa
It has happened to almost everyone at some point: You walk out of the room and come back a minute later to find your child holding a sharpie, glowing about the new masterpiece he inscribed on your Italian leather sofa. Instead of bursting into tears or wondering how much a new sofa will cost, consider a very simple and inexpensive way to get the sharpie marker out of your sofa without the need to spend a lot of time scrubbing it. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sport sunscreen (in a spray form, not lotion)
- 2 or more clean white cloths
- Paper towel
Instructions
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1
Check the stain--if it is still wet, use a paper towel to blot (not rub) any excess ink. Most leather sofas have a protective barrier that provides some resistance to staining, so blotting wet ink quickly will save you hassle later.
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2
Spray a small amount of sunscreen onto your sofa in a hidden area to test the color fastness of the fabric when the sunscreen is applied. Three or four sprays to a palm-size area of the leather is sufficient. Give the sunscreen five minutes to set before wiping up and checking the color hold. If the leather is discolored from the sunscreen, consult with a professional upholsterer.
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3
Apply the sunscreen with even sprays, six to eight inches from each inked spot, until the stained area becomes saturated by the sunscreen. Allow it to sit 10 minutes as you watch to make sure the sunscreen does not dry completely onto the sofa.
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4
Blot the treated area with a clean white cloth, taking care not to rub the stain in further. Fold the cloth and change the side that you blot with frequently to ensure that you do not re-stain the sofa.
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5
Repeat the sunscreen treatment until you have removed all of the sharpie marker from your sofa. Then use a different clean, white cloth to apply leather furniture cleaner, and clean the section of sofa that was stained.
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Tips & Warnings
Always test the color fastness of your sofa before spraying anything on it other than the cleaner that came with the product. If it is not colorfast, you will have to consult the manufacturer about what products it recommends.
If stains have had a long time to set, there is nothing you can do to remove the stain. Contact the retailer about a replacement, or consult with a professional upholsterer.
