How to Remove Ink Stains From Ultra Suede Couches

Remove ink stains from suede carefully.

Ink creates a type of color stain with an ingredient that's meant to make it permanent. While this is fine when writing on paper, if the ink accidentally ends up on your ultra suede couch you'll have a stressful stain to deal with. Ultra suede is highly absorbent and holds up best when you use the driest cleaning methods possible. To remove an ink stain effectively you must prevent the stain from spreading into the absorbent fibers while lifting it from the surface.

Things You'll Need

• Cornstarch
• Cotton swabs
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cleaning cloths
• Dry cleaning solvent
• Hair dryer
• Suede brush

Instructions

1. Cover a fresh ink stain with cornstarch and allow the cornstarch to sit on the stain for 20 minutes. The cornstarch will absorb excess ink from your ultra suede couch.

2. Brush the cornstarch off your couch. Dampen a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol. Draw a ring around the ink stain with the damp cotton swab to prevent the ink from spreading further.

3. 

   A cotton swab for cleaning allows you to clean a specific area.

   Swab the ink stain with rubbing alcohol, moving your cotton swab in one direction. Lift off as much of the ink as possible, changing to a clean cotton swab as the ink transfers.

4. Dampen a clean cloth with dry cleaning solvent and wring out as much of the fluid as possible. Blot any remaining ink stain on your ultra suede couch. Change to a clean spot on the cloth and continue to dab until you fully remove the ink.

5. 

   A blow dryer speeds up the drying process for your suede couch.

   Dry your suede couch with a hair dryer. Heat the dryer to "Low" and hold it about 1 foot away from the surface of your couch. This speeds up the drying process so your couch isn't damp for too long.

6. Brush the suede surface of your couch using a small suede brush. First brush against the nap, then brush with the nap.

Tips & Warnings

• Use sandpaper to remove small ink stains that barely affected the surface.

• Avoid rubbing or scrubbing an ink stain because it will spread the stain further.

• Hairspray is often recommended for removing suede stains but can cause the suede fibers to matte and get sticky.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Heloise Hints: Cleaning Ink Off Leather
• Mrs. Clean USA: Tips for Cleaning Suede: Removing Stains From Suede: Ink Stains
• University of Illinois Extension: Stain Solutions: Ink (Fountain): Stain Removal From Upholstery
• Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster: Ink, Ballpoint: Upholstery