How to Clean Ink Stains From Leather

Ink stains absorb and spread into leather.

Ink stains are probably one of the most dreaded stains for leather material. Leather is a naturally porous material that absorbs stains into the fibers. Ink stains on leather aren't impossible or difficult to remove, you just have to tackle them the right way. Commercial products exist for removing ink stains from leather but it's not necessary to spend the money when natural remedies are just as effective.

Things You'll Need

• Hairspray
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cleaning cloths
• Nail polish remover
• Combination leather cleaner and conditioner

Instructions

1. Spray fresh ink stains on your leather with hairspray. Dab at the ink stain with a cotton ball or cotton swab to gently lift the stain. Change to a fresh cotton ball or swab and continue to dab until the ink stain is gone.

2. Saturate a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol to treat dried ink stains or any remaining fresh ink stain. Dab at the ink stain on your leather item. Do not rub or scrub as this can spread the stain.

3. Lay a clean cloth over the site of the ink stain still wet with rubbing alcohol. Apply pressure to the cloth with your hands to transfer the ink stain from your leather item to the cloth. Move the cloth to a clean portion and continue to blot.

4. Apply acetone-free nail polish remover to a clean cloth and wipe it on the ink stain on your leather. Move with the direction of the stain, repeatedly wiping at the ink stain as it lifts. Move to a clean portion of the cleaning cloth as the ink stain lifts so you're not wiping the ink back into the leather.

5. Wash away your cleaning agents and condition your newly cleaned leather with a combination leather cleaner and conditioner. The conditioner will restore any moisture in the leather that was dried up by the ink removal agents.

Tips & Warnings

• Milk lifts ink stains from many surfaces. Clean your leather thoroughly after wiping it with milk so there's no lingering stickiness or odor from the milk.

• Large, saturated ink stains on leather may be best handled by professional cleaners.

References

• Made Man: How To Remove Ink Stains From Leather