How to Remove an Ink Mark From a Leather Purse

You can remove an ink mark, even from a leather purse.

It’s all too easy to get an ink mark on a leather purse. This may seem like an impossible stain to remove, especially from leather, but you can set the worries aside. In most cases you can remove ink marks, even from permanent ink pens or markers, from any fabric, including leather. So, don't throw out that purse yet—it should still be salvageable.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves (rubber or vinyl)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton swabs
• Paper towels
• Acetone-free fingernail polish remover

Instructions

1. Put on rubber or vinyl gloves. Extinguish open flames (such as a cigarette) as the chemicals you will use are flammable.

2. Open a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Dip the end of a cotton swab in the alcohol.

3. Touch the cotton swab tip to the stain, gently rubbing over it. The ink should begin to immediately come off the purse. If it doesn’t, switch to a fingernail polish remover instead of alcohol. The Home Furnish website recommends using an acetone-free nail polish remover for leather.

4. Switch to a fresh swab, dipped in the alcohol or the nail polish remover, when all sides of the swab are covered in ink. Keep the stain confined by wiping the chemical only on the stained area.

5. Dampen paper towels. Use this to rinse off the leather and any ink that may remain.

Tips & Warnings

• If the purse is colored and some of the dye comes off during this process (this is unlikely but can happen if the purse dye is not color-fast), apply some shoe dye that matches the color to the purse, blending it in with a soft cloth.

References

• Mrs. Clean USA: How to Remove Ink Stains
• Cleaning Tips: Ink Stains on Leather
• Home Furnish: How to Remove Stains From a Leather Sofa