Removing Ink from Leather

Clean Ink Stains Off Tan Leather

Some how or another, my wallet got ink all over it and it looks really tacky when I carry it around (it's a wallet-on-a-string). Anyway, it is a light tan colored wallet with black ink soaked into it. Any one out there have a trickey way of getting out the ink without damaging the wallet? - Marni from Los Angeles, CA

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RE: Clean Ink Stains Off Tan Leather

Try antibacterial hand gel. Rub on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes and rub off. This worked really well on my granddaughter's tennis shoes. (10/20/2004)

By jeangnome46

RE: Clean Ink Stains Off Tan Leather

THANK YOU Jeangnome. You just saved our tan leather couch! (10/26/2004)

By kim.

RE: Clean Ink Stains Off Tan Leather

You are very welcome Kim. I learned this hint quite by accident at work. I am a janitor and clean banks, Dr's ofices etc. I was trying to remove adhesive from a glass door and just happened to grab the antibacterial gel. It worked like a charm! Now I try it on just about every stain or sticky mess I can find. I've used it on many different surfaces and it hasn't harmed any of them. So glad I could help. (10/26/2004)

By jeangnome46

RE: Clean Ink Stains Off Tan Leather

The antibacterial gel worked wonderful on my mother's tan leather couch. She had purchased expensive leather cleaning solutions and nothing had worked until we tried the gel. Thanks. (05/24/2005)

By DCL

RE: Clean Ink Stains Off Tan Leather

You could try a little hairspray. Spray some into the cap and using a tissue or cotton wool, dab gently and the ink stain should come out. I tried this on my cream leather sofa, worked great. (07/06/2005)

By karen

RE: Clean Ink Stains Off Tan Leather

Thanks so much for the hairspray tip. My daughter wrote all over my tan leather chair and the hairspray removed it instantly! (10/30/2005)

By shelley

RE: Clean Ink Stains Off Tan Leather

The antibacterial gel worked AMAZINGLY well getting some large ink stains off the tan leather seats of my wife's Jaguar! Big red stains and they're gone! Thanks for the great tip!! (12/03/2005)

By Bruce

RE: Clean Ink Stains Off Tan Leather

I tried several things then stain stick and antibacterial moisterizer together and rubbed took a while but most is gone now. (03/26/2006)

By pauline reeves

RE: Clean Ink Stains Off Tan Leather

Thanks for the tip it worked awesome... the stain is completely gone. (08/08/2006)

By dave

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Ink Stain on Leather

How can I clean an ink stain off my tan leather seat?

Marianna

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RE: Ink Stain on Leather

the anit-bacterial gel did remove the ink mark off my green couch, although it took a layer of the leather off... now the couch is kindof peeling where I put the gel.. and you can notice a little discoloration.. but probably better than before with the ink stains... just be careful before you try this and maybe try on a spot in the back or something. (08/24/2006)

By Ben

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I just tried the anibacterial soap on an ink stain that was on my truck seat. It worked great! You can barely see it. (08/28/2006)

By Donna

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I used a combo of the anti-bacterial hand gel and hairspray to get almost all of the ball point pen ink stain off of my tan leanther sofa. Then, I used a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser soaked in hot water to finish the job. The hairspray seemed to also start to remove the grain of the leather, so I would use it sparingly and with caution. Thanks for all of your tips! 9/5/06 (09/05/2006)

By Stacy

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Remove Ink From Leather

I have some leather purses with ink on them. Can anyone tell me what I could possibly use to remove the ink?

Terry

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RE: Removing Ink From Leather

Well I was luckier, and my daughter wrote with ball-point ink on navy blue leather. But I found something to get it off; Murphy's Oil Soap and a toothbrush. It also takes ink off of wood cabinets and lipstick off leather (my little one is quite the artist). Dip a wet brush in the soap and scrub away, not too hard, or it could remove some of the color from your leather. (10/18/2002)

By 007mp229

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

I have always used hairspray in the past to remove ink on carpet and clothing and it has worked out great. I don't know about leather though. (04/19/2005)

By Pam

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

I have tan leather couches and have removed blue ink many times using hairspray. (05/06/2005)

By Ashley

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

I've found that Head and Shoulders dandruff shampoo removes pen marks very well without discoloration on my cognac leather colored chair and ottoman. Just damply wet a wash cloth and squirt the shampoo directly onto the cloth and rug in circular motion and wipe clean. Don't wet the shampoo. (09/08/2006)

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

My daughter wrote all over our couches with a black pen, and I scrubbed following each stroke she drew with nail polish remover and a white cloth, and it worked! (07/29/2007)

By uh oh

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

Do not use magic eraser. It erases the leather and not the ink. (08/30/2007)

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

If you have a Creamy Yellow Leather sofa use hairspray. I used Tresemme hairspray, left it on for 5 seconds, and rubbed with a tiny amount of force. This actually works. It saved me from getting shouted at from Mum and Dad, too! (09/07/2007)

By Nathen Whelband

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

Try using baking soda with a small portion of water. It worked for me. These were deep embedded ink markings on my sofa. (12/01/2007)

By kiffara

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

Rubbing alcohol works good. (02/20/2008)

By Richard

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

Thank you! I have a brand new cream color leather micro fiber couch, and my child wrote on the arm rest with a blue ink pen. I found this website and read feedback desperate for help! I used Paul Mitchell freeze and shine and the ink came right off in 10 seconds with a little rubbing from white towel. Our couch is about 4 days old, and when we bought it we got a discount because of a few ink spots on the back of the couch. So I decided to give it a shot of hairspray as well. It came right out! I don't know how long that ink was in there, but it had to be awhile. (10/12/2008)

By Wendy

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

I tried everything to get ink out of my light colored leather sofa, and the only thing that worked was the only thing I thought would not; Hairspray! I don't know what chemicals are in it to cause that reaction, but it really works. Thank goodness! (12/21/2008)

By Gladie

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

There are a lot of furniture repair companies that can remove stains from all types of fabric/leathers. I am not sure where you are located, but the one I used is www.furnitureservices.com. They were great and really inexpensive. I called them when I moved into my new place and the movers got some ink and other miscellaneous stains on my microfiber sofa. While they were there I had them remove some liquid marks on my dining table as well. (12/29/2008)

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

My friend gave me a brand new green handbag but it had been written on with ink pen by some kids. Once again, hairspray, any kind, got it right off the shiny faux leather hand bag. It looks great! (01/09/2009)

By Amanda M.

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

Baby wipes! I have used this on my mother's leather sofa when my daughter made ink marks. I have used them to clean crayon marks, and even dried spray paint on my hands! I will always keep them on hand, even after she is potty trained. I keep them in a Ziploc bag to keep them from drying out, and have re-hydrated them with water if my husband left them open. Good luck. (10/23/2009)

By hardesty1

RE: Remove Ink From Leather

I have tried the hairspray to remove ink from my leather sofa, and it only set the stain. Today I tried the baby wipes and removed the 'new' ink drawings from my grandson. It worked at removing them without having to work hard. Thanks for the tip! (11/01/2009)

By jfrazer01

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Removing Ink From Red Leather

My car seats are red leather. I have a 1/2 inch blue ink stain on my back seat. How can I clean it off?

Michelle

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RE: Removing Ink From Red Leather

Simply use aftershave or alcohol to remove this stain. (02/01/2005)

By xxfayxx

RE: Removing Ink From Red Leather

I don't know if alcohol would work. I would think it would strip the leather of its colour? I used an antibacterial facial cleanser and it did the trick (phisohex). (04/01/2005)

By Crystal

RE: Removing Ink From Red Leather

I've always heard that hairspray removes ink. (08/29/2005)

By BrookesMommy

RE: Removing Ink From Red Leather

I have a soft red leather purse by Coach (very expensive $500) and I marked it with a black ball point pen. I used antibacterial on a Kleenex to remove it. It took the pen mark right off. As I applied it I poured water over it to remove the alcohol from the purse as soon as possible. It did remove the ink and some of the red color (barely) off the purse. I wished I applied the antibacterial to a Q-tip instead of a Kleenex and rubbed it off softly in layers with the water. I'm pretty sure red shoe polish will buff it right out. (03/07/2008)

By Kelli

RE: Removing Ink From Red Leather

Antibacterial hand sanitizer worked like a charm. I massaged a small amount onto the stain with my finger tip. The ballpoint ink is gone and leather is fine, no discoloration. (10/16/2008)

By Barbara

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Ink Stain on Leather

How do you get ink stains off a leather couch?

Joe from Inver Grove Heights, MN

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RE: Ink Stain on Leather

The antibacterial soap worked for me. Thrilled to get all of the ink off my tan leather couch after my 2 yr old scribbled all over. Thanks so much for the great tip! I never would have guessed. (08/07/2007)

By steph

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I used the antibacterial gel and the ink soaked into a much larger spot than it was before. It was a few spots of black ink on a pink leather wallet. Now it's A LOT of dark purple ink on a pink leather wallet. (09/21/2007)

By nikki r.

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

Try Soft Scrub. Rub gently, wipe, reapply and rub again. Repeat until the spot is gone. (02/08/2008)

By jcv9876

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

Just used VO5 hairspray on some ink marks across a brand new cream leather lounge and they're definitely faded, if not completely gone! Thanks for this site, who'd have thought? (02/08/2008)

By MC, Florida

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I used a cleaner that is for cowboy boots and it worked very well. It not only cleaned the leather, but it has a leather conditioner and UV protectant in it. It worked great. Usually any place that sells cowboy boots or western wear will have this. (03/04/2008)

By Andrea K

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I just tried the antibacterial soap (Purell) and it took off some of the finish and faded the color of my brown leather sofa, so use this method with caution. Also, if you have children, keep the Purell away from them, because I've read that even swallowing a small bit of it could cause them to become "drunk" because there is a high alcohol content in it. That's why it dries so fast! (03/29/2008)

By susan

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

Folks, I just use plain old rubbing alcohol. I think that's the ingredient in all the above solutions that make each one work. I just got an ink stain out of my car's tan leather seats with alcohol, a cotton ball, and a little elbow grease! All gone! (04/29/2008)

By Janet

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

Alcohol worked. I tried everything from leather cleaner to hairspray but it did nothing. Alcohol took it right off. It was dark blue pen on a white leather seat. (05/12/2008)

By danny

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

Rubbing alcohol or nail polish works great! (05/30/2008)

By nn

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

Do not use alcohol or any alcohol based product on dark leather furniture. It will turn it lighter. (06/26/2008)

By JHL

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I have a distressed leather sofa, so it doesn't have much of a finish on it. I used hairspray on a q-tip to try to remove ball point ink and it made matters worse. Finally, I pulled out a tub of Quick 'n Brite. They say on the tub that ink on leather is usually not removable, and to be careful using their product on unfinished leather, suede, etc. So I put a tiny bit of the Quick 'n Brite butter in an inconspicuous area, and it seemed fine. Eventually I used a damp toothbrush to apply a teeny amount of the product full strength to the stain and I brushed in circles. It lifted out the dark residue from the hairspray, and as I dried it with a towel...it looks great. I'm very pleased. (07/12/2008)

By Ellen

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

You can use toothpaste. It works pretty well. Just leave it on the stain for a few minutes, rub it off, and you can barely see the stain. You can also use nail polish. (08/06/2008)

By Stephanie

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

This is the truth, and I hope it helps someone. I purchased a new Cole Haan leather bag and today was my first time carrying it. I just arrived home about 1 hour ago and noticed a black ink spot. First of all, toothpaste did not work. However, I used the Walgreen's brand hand sanitizer and it removed the ink COMPLETELY in three different spots on the same handbag/purse. (08/07/2008)

By Thea

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I was just surfing the internet not knowing what my son was doing. When I looked back it was too late, ink all over my leather. I googled and found this site and used the rubbing alcohol, and it totally worked. There is NOTHING left. (10/10/2008)

By Nancy A.

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

DEFINITELY use the perfume. Totally worked for me on my leather couch after my daughter had fallen asleep with pen on her and it left a mark on the couch. So happy now that my couch is finally clean again. :] (10/21/2008)

By Caddi

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I, too, tried Goo Gone, leather cleaner, and even liquid dishwasher detergent. Nothing. Your site suggested rubbing alcohol. It immediately removed blue ink from my light beige leather couch! Thanks! (10/25/2008)

By Robin

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I tried toothpaste on an ink stain on my cream colored leather sectional. It did not completely remove the stain. However, what DID work was a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It took it off completely! And it did not affect the leather surface. Try it, I highly recommend it. (10/31/2008)

By Joe

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I had an ink spot that either my niece or godson put on my brand new beige color leather couch. No one wanted to confess to it though. I searched google to find out how to remove ink from leather and I got this website, which is where I read that rubbing alcohol worked. So I ran and got some rubbing alcohol, tried it, and it worked. Rubbing alcohol DOES work to remove ink from leather. (11/08/2008)

By ~Teresa

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I would not recommend using alcohol on light cream colored leather because it made that area lighter (but it did remove the ink spot). So I used a cream pastel color pencil to color in the bleached area. What else do you expect me to do! Ha...ha. (12/10/2008)

By free30

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

Try hairspray and you will be amazed. (12/12/2008)

By Harry

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

Perfume was the answer, thanks. Got the ink stain off my cream leather sofa easily. My 2 year old is sighing with relief! (01/22/2009)

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I would try rubbing alcohol first. We tried the hairspray that everyone raved about and it ate away at the leather. (01/27/2009)

By josie

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

Just tried the Magic Eraser on cream colored leather sofa to remove ink stain. It smeared the ink and lightened the leather. Going to buy rubbing alcohol to give that a try. I do not suggest the Magic Eraser on leather. (02/07/2009)

By Maria

RE: Ink Stain on Leather

I used WD-40 and it took some of the ink stain out. (01/06/2010)

By PRETTY TEASHA

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Ball Point Pen on Leather Ottoman

I'm freaking out. My year old wrote with ink in quite a few areas on my new leather ottoman. I tried aftershave and hairspray and it's taking some of the clear coat off of the leather and leaving a rubbed off white mark.

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Remove Ink From Leather

How do I remove ink marks from light brown leather?

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Remove Ink From Leather

My son bought a suede jacket for his fiance and it has ink on it. What do we do to get the ink out?

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Removing Ink From Red Leather

How do you remove blue ink from a red leather settee?