How to Remove Pen Marks From a Leather Sofa - Ink Removal

Picture this: You have a beautiful leather sofa. It’s soft, it’s stylish, it’s luxurious, and it has a massive ink stain that wasn’t meant to be there. Suddenly, you’re left with a burning question about how to remove pen marks from sofa leather.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Whether someone accidentally marked your sofa with a pen, or an entire bottle of pen ink spilled on it, our guide to how to remove ink from a leather sofa will give you all the details and instructions you need.

How to Remove Ink from Leather: Step by Step

If you’ve been trying to learn how to remove pen marks from leather sofa, look no further. Our step-by-step guide about how to get pen out of a leather couch will give you everything you need, from preparation to cleaning solutions and even post-cleanup leather care.

Please note, while we are discussing this scenario of ink on a leather sofa, these instructions are valid ways to get ink out of leather in general. It’s always a good idea to consider covering your couch to protect it before stains happen.

Step One: Identify the Affected Area

The first thing that you'll need to determine is exactly how much of the sofa has been stained with the ink.

If it is only one or two tiny specks or spots, you will need to treat them as individual stains. If the ink covers a larger area, or there is a large area with many tiny stains, you can treat it as one large stain instead.

Step Two: What Will Take Ink Off of Leather?

Before we get into the details about how to remove pen ink from a leather couch, let’s discuss the different solvents you can use to dissolve ink.

Below, we will mention some of the best solvents and methods to use to get rid of an ink stain on leather. We will briefly mention why each method is a good choice as well as how to use it.

Alcohol

Because alcohol is an almost universal solvent, there's a pretty accurate way of removing ink stains from leather. Here's how:

1. Use a cotton ball, swab, or cloth to apply rubbing alcohol to the stain.
2. Apply it liberally and wait to see if the alcohol pulls the ink out of the leather.
3. Wipe away any ink that emerges from the leather using a clean, dry cloth.
4. Rub the surface gently with the cotton swab or cloth (containing the alcohol) in circular motions.
5. If some of the ink still remains, try using a toothbrush to gently rub at the stain.
6. Wipe away the ink and alcohol.

Baking Soda and Water

Baking soda is another excellent cleaning solvent that is also relatively neutral. It can be used to remove ink from leather by following these steps:

1. Make a paste of baking soda and water. The ratio should be 1 part baking soda to 2 parts water, with water being the larger portion.
2. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Wipe away the paste (and hopefully the stain) with a clean cloth.
4. Repeat as needed.

Mild Soap

Many mild soaps are an effective way of removing ink from leather since they provide enough of a cleaning effect without burning or damaging the leather itself. Here's how to use them:

1. If the stain is fresh, blot it with a paper towel to remove as much of the ink as possible.
2. Apply a mixture of dish soap and water or another mild soap like Castille.
3. Work the solution into the stain until it hopefully rises out of the leather.
4. Using a clean cloth, wipe away the ink that has emerged and repeat as necessary.

White Vinegar

Vinegar is a mild acid, so it works well as a means of removing ink from leather. Here's how to use it:

1. Lightly apply vinegar to the stain using a cloth or swab.
2. Work it into the leather.
3. Use a clean cloth to wipe away whatever ink comes out of the leather.
4. Repeat as needed.

Nail Polish Remover or Perfume

Two common solvents that you might see as a means of removing ink from leather, include nail polish remover and perfume.

We don't recommend using either of these options because they may actually damage your couch. If you reach the point where you're desperate enough to use nail polish remover, please contact the professionals.

Hairspray

If you are looking for a more unusual option, consider hairspray. As a lipid, it will bind to the ink and lift it from the leather.

However, be very careful to check the ingredients list of the hairspray and ensure that it doesn't contain any acidic ingredients or ingredients like acetone.

1. Spray the stain with hairspray.
2. Let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Wipe away the hairspray and the stain.
4. Repeat as needed.

Step Three: Condition the Leather

Now that you know how to remove ink from a leather chair or stain, you should also continue to care for the leather. The cleaning process can be quite taxing on the leather, so you should condition it afterward.

Use a good quality leather conditioner, and not an unrecommended fat or oil.

Step Four: Allow the Leather Conditioner to Infiltrate and Shine the Leather

After applying the conditioner, allow it to infiltrate the leather for a few minutes. This is an important step, as it allows the oils in the conditioner to feed the deeper layers of the leather.

Once it has rested for 20 to 30 minutes, you can proceed to buff and shine the leather with a soft cloth. You may also use an extra shining polish if you’re so inclined.

Final Thoughts Leather Sofa Ink Removal

As you can see, whether it’s a pen mark on leather or something else entirely, knowing how to remove ink from a leather couch can be essential. Fortunately, this article has given you all the need-to-know knowledge about how to get ink off a leather couch.

If you’ve tried these techniques and found them ineffective, it’s best to contact a professional cleaning company. That’s much wiser than risking damage to your leather. You may also want to consider acquiring a sofa cover to protect your couch.

Sources

How to Remove Ink from a Leather Couch | HowStuffWorks - Accessed 21/01/2024

How to remove ink from leather: and keep it at its best | Homes & Gardens Accessed 21/01/2024

How to remove ink from leather | Puracy - Accessed 21/01/2024