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Cleaning Ink From a Couch

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Date: 10/01/2004 Topics: Cleaning > Furniture | Readers Request > Cleaning  
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I am trying to find out how to clean ballpoint pen ink from my couch. Any help out there?

Barb from Maryland
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Post By Liz (Guest Post) (05/12/2008)
The hairspray definately works its magic!

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Post By (Guest Post) (03/19/2008)
Thanks, you guys are lifesavers hairspray worked great! :- :]

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Post By S (Guest Post) (03/05/2008)
I just tried an aftershave (Gillette gel) and it seems it worked. Hope it wouldn't leave a mark.

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Post By Brian Miller (Guest Post) (02/09/2008)
Shaping hairspray worked! No smudging! Great idea.

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Post By megan (Guest Post) (01/31/2008)
Did you ever find out? Because I just spilled ink on my couch. Will you tell me how you fixed it? webstermeg AT gmail.com

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Post By Judyb (Guest Post) (11/20/2007)
Removing ink from leather is not a cleaning problem.
Most ink removal products will not work simply because of the length of time the ink has been on the leather.

Ink is a dye and has re-coloured the leather (this is what it is meant to do)
The longer the ink has been on the leather the harder it is to remove because it soaks into the finish. Once it has soaked into the finish you have to use very strong products to remove it, which will also remove finish and pigment which then need replacing.

Pigment/Protected leather
If the ink is on a pigmented leather then the first thing you should try is an LTT Ink Stick. The fresher the ink the more chance you have of removing it. It is a good idea to have one in your house if you have pale leather and children!!!!

Old ink will be harder to remove than new ink and may mean resorting to solvents which will also remove the finish. This is probably best left to the experts

If an ink stick doesn't work a solvent based remover will need to be used and it may also remove finish and pigment so is best left to the experts.

You should also be using LTT Leather Protect on your suite. This will act like a 'scotchgard' and will make any more mishaps easier to clean off.

You will see many people recommending household products to remove ink  this is not recommended as most simply will not work, some may appear to work but the damage they cause can make a much bigger problem which is then un-repairable (even by a technician)

DO NOT USE THE FOLLOWING:

Hairspray - This is very risky as it can make the matter far worse by spreading the ink over a bigger area and can sometimes then be impossible to fix.
Nail Varnish remover/solvents will remove the finish on the leather even if you cannot tell it is doing so and this will then need replacing, and alcohol may do the same depending on the strength of the finish on the leather.
Baby wipes  just about the worst thing you can use on a leather as they break down the finish and will eventually ruin it.
Milk or Toothpaste - these are just silly ideas that will leave sticky residues on the surface which will help to break down the finish on your leather.
Silicones/furniture polish  should not be used on leather. They will form a coating on the surface of the leather which will not allow any moisture to get to the leather itself and will eventually break all the finish down and cause it to crack.
Hide food will not remove ink and will leave residues on the leather which will attract dirt and oils.
Most leather cleaners will not remove ink unless a very good leather protector has been used on a regular basis.
Aniline Style Leather
As aniline style leathers are largely absorbent it means that the ink will have soaked straight into the leather itself. This makes it impossible to remove. No product will successfully remove the ink.

DO NOT try ink removing products on aniline style leathers as most will leave a greasy residue which will then cause another problem.

Because aniline style leathers are absorbent the ink will carry on moving through the leather and may become less obvious over time. Cleaning and protecting will also help to dissipate the ink.

Leather care consultant

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Post By (Guest Post) (08/27/2007)
That's amazing. I just got it on my couch and before my boyfriend could have a fit, i tried the hairspray and it just went away. That's nuts! thanks!

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Post by jess_admin (539) | (07/24/2007)
Profile |Blog! |Contact
I am trying to find out how to clean ballpoint pen ink from my couch. Any help out there?

Barb from Maryland

Answers:

RE: Cleaning Ballpoint Ink Pen From Couch

Hair spray often will remove ballpoint ink from fabric.

By Guest

RE: Cleaning Ballpoint Ink Pen From Couch

I have not tried it on a couch but on ink on my white uniforms hair spray works great. Just spray on and blot. The cheaper hair spray the better, old fashioned Aqua Net worked the best.

By

RE: Cleaning Ballpoint Ink Pen From Couch

Make sure that you use aerosol hair spray. The pump sprays don't work as well.

By Guest

RE: Cleaning Ballpoint Ink Pen From Couch

Thanks, I was frantic because we had a visitor yesterday (2 yr old) and he scribbled on my boss' new couch. I think the hairspray thing is going to work. Thank you, thank u!

By Cynthia

RE: Cleaning Ballpoint Ink Pen From Couch

I tried aftershave and it did work but I rubbed hard in one spot and it took the color out so be careful and test an area first.

By Elizabeth

RE: Cleaning Ballpoint Ink Pen From Couch

I just tried the hair spray suggestion and it worked like a charm. I hope when it dries, it does not leave a mark?

RE: Cleaning Ballpoint Ink Pen From Couch

Pump hair spray does not work on real leather, it takes the color out!! don't do it!

By april

RE: Cleaning Ballpoint Ink Pen From Couch

just tried the hairspray, works like a dream when nothing else would touch it!

By guest

RE: Cleaning Ballpoint Ink Pen From Couch

Thanks for your valuable advice. According to how to clean anything. I needed a professional upholstery cleaner. they had no solution

By dean

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