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In our previous post we discussed removing pen marks from your leather sofa, and today's post is similar because we'll be discussing removing ink stains from leather items, but we'll really be focussing on larger messes today.
Exploding pens in leather handbags, excess ink from fountain pens spilling on your leather couch, and just about everything in between. When the ink stain is larger, you'll need to think a little more carefully about how you're going to remove ink from leather.
Thankfully, here at The Leather Colour Doctor we've got you covered, from expert advice to some products that will help you out of any mess, you can count on us.
So, if you want to learn how to remove ink from leather, join us below!
Knowing how to remove ink from leather quickly is key. And sometimes that means grabbing things from around the house and creating a cleaning solution out of items in your cupboard.
Whilst these products might not have been specifically designed for removing ink from leather, they sure can help.
So, no matter the leather furniture, leather item, or leather surface, using some of the quick-to-grab cleaning solutions below might just be enough to save your leather products.
Remember: Acting fast is key.
Although not everyone will have rubbing alcohol (or isopropyl alcohol to give it its proper name) lying around, for those that do, it's an incredibly effective stain removal product.
Just be careful about how you use it and how much you use because alcohol can have a drying effect on leather's protective layer and the stained area can become dried out quickly if you aren't careful. The key here is using the rubbing alcohol in moderation.
To start, take some dry paper towel or a dry cloth and apply some rubbing alcohol (just a little rubbing alcohol, no need to soak the cloth or paper towels in it - a few drops will do). After that, gently dab the area surrounding the ink stain before focusing on the stained area itself. As you dab - don't rub or scrub - you should notice the ink stain transferring to the paper towel or soft cloth you're using.
Once the ink mark has gone, you should look for caring leather products that will help look after your leather. A leather conditioner or leather cleaner ought to do the trick for most leather furniture and products.
Alcohol based hairsprays will also do the trick here for the same reason rubbing alcohol is so effective when you try to remove ink from leather. Again, be cautious of how much you use so that the alcohol doesn't dry out the leather too much and makes it susceptible to damage.
For this cleaning method, you'll simply need to spray your leather goods with the hairspray, saturating the ink stain itself, but being cautious of not applying too much. Immediately wipe the affected area gently with a soft cloth and apply a conditioner to restore your leather.
If you're removing stains from a large leather item like the leather seats of your leather couch, then it's important you act especially quickly after spraying to remove the hairspray from the finished leather promptly to prevent damage and discolouration. Speed is of the essence here, and leather is a delicate material, so you may need to have a friend or family member on standby after you've sprayed the stain to wipe the hairspray away swiftly for you.
Nail polish remover can work well to remove ink from leather BUT BE WARNED!
Nail polish removers with acetone will permanently damage and discolour your leather. ALWAYS use an acetone free nail polish remover if you're trying to remove ink from leather. Now the warnings are out of the way. Let's talk about the cleaning solution itself.
Take a cotton swab, cotton ball, or damp cloth, and apply just a little polish remover. Then gently rub the stain, being careful not to spread the ink beyond the already stained part of the leather. Leave the solution to sit for a minute or two before rinsing with a little water or a damp paper towel.
White vinegar and warm water have been the go-to cleaning agents of many a household for years, but will vinegar remove ink from leather?
Yes!
Just mix together equal parts white vinegar and water and apply some to a cloth, cotton swabs or cotton bud and dab the affected area. Leave to sit for a minute or two before cleaning leather with a clean cloth, water, and a little detergent to remove the vinegar odor and its acidic properties before any damage is done.
Speaking of detergent, a clear liquid dish soap with water can also act as a magic eraser when removing ink from a leather product. No need to reach for a leather-specific soap here like saddle soap, a regular, mild dish soap will do.
Take a cloth and rinse it in water before applying a drop or two of dish soap. Then, rub the soapy water over the ink to help lift it. Work from the outside in so you don't spread the stain further over your leather product.
Once done, use just water to remove any soap residue and a dry cloth to remove the moisture so it can't affect the leather further. A blow dryer can also help here to remove the moisture quickly. Getting leather wet is rarely a good idea unless it's been designed to do so - such as in the case of a leather bag or leather jacket - but these still shouldn't be exposed to moisture too often or else their protective coating will be damaged and the leather may start to break down.
Olive oil and vinegar make a great cleaning combination and they're great at dealing with ink without too much moisture affecting the leather.
Mix two parts olive oil with one part vinegar and apply to the ink using a cotton pad, cotton swab, or clean cloth. Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing away with a cloth and water.
If you're wondering how to remove ink stains from leather in a way that's guaranteed to give great results, then we can help you there.
Here at The Leather Colour Doctor, we take caring for leather seriously, and we know a thing or two about what your leather needs to stay in tip-top condition. And that includes having products on hand to help when an ink stain strikes.
Below is our recommended method for removing ink stains from leather:
When using our leather cleaning and protection kit from The Leather Colour Doctor, you should always remember to spot test our products first. Yes, it is a professional cleaner designed to work with a range of leather types and ages, but a spot test is vital to ensure the products are working as they should and to protect your leather.
If you don't choose to use The Leather Colour Doctor's products, then make sure you read the manufacturer's instructions of the products you use. The application process may be different to that which we'll describe below.
First, apply the leather cleaning fluid to the stain using a damp, soft bristled scrubbing brush in a circular motion. This will create a foam that will lift the excess ink.
Allow the foam to sit for a few minutes to activate on the stain.
Next, wipe clean with a soft cloth. The ink should already be gone at this stage of the process.
Up next is the conditioner. Our conditioner acts as a leather protector too, applying a protective layer to the leather to prevent future stains.
Simply take a small amount of the product and apply it to the stain with a soft cloth in a circular motion.S
Allow the conditioner to soak into the leather to treat it.
Finally, buff the area clean to a shine. The ink stain will be gone, and the leather will be properly cared for and protected.
Hopefully, today's post has shown you how to remove ink from leather quickly and effectively. No matter the method you select today, you should see results fast, so long as you remember to act quickly whenever an ink stain strikes your leather products.
So, whether it's moisturising soap and warm water, or leather cleaners and leather conditioners you're reaching for - speed is key. Act fast, and you can be confident that your leather item will be spared from permanent ink marks!
