How To Get Ink Off Leather

We take a closer look at how to get ink off leather to bring back the beauty of your sofa.

You just got a brand-new leather sofa but because of your clumsiness, you spilled some ink on it. Now, don’t despair just yet. As long as you know how to get ink off leather, you can expect to bring back the beauty of your sofa and enjoy it for many years to come.

Here are the steps you can follow for removing ink from leather.

Test The Leather First

Before anything else, you need to check if the leather material is finished or naked. For example, suede is unfinished or naked. Finished leather has a pebbled or smooth finish. To determine the specific type of leather you are dealing with, drop some water on the material.

The leather has been finished if the water beads up. This means you can start cleaning it right away. On the other hand, the leather is unfinished if it soaks in the water immediately. If this is the case, it is best to call a professional instead of trying to treat ink stains on naked leather.

Test The Remedy

Choose an inconspicuous spot, such as under the seat cushion, where you can test the treatments you plan to use before applying them on the ink stain itself. This way, you can observe if the product will interact with the material, like leaving a light spot behind or removing the color. Let it dry fully to see if the result will be better than the ink stain.

Use Soap

When it comes to how to get ink off leather, it is always recommended to begin with the simplest and least invasive treatment first. In this case, soap is your first best option. Try to wipe the ink stain gently using a soap-based cleaner. This might be the easiest and least harsh remedy if the ink is still fresh and has not soaked into the material just yet.

Try Hairspray

If soap didn’t do the trick, you can also try using a can of cheap hairspray that contains a high concentration of acetone. Cheaper hairsprays will work better in removing ink stains. Use the hairspray to saturate a cotton swab and work on the ink stain with it instead of spraying the spot directly. Follow it up with a soft brush such as an old toothbrush.

Apply Acetone

Straight acetone may work much better than hairspray in removing ink due to its higher concentration. You can apply it to the stain using the same process as that of hairspray. Saturate a cotton swab with acetone and remove the stain with it and use a soft toothbrush afterward.

Grab Some Rubbing Or Isopropyl Alcohol

If both the hairspray and acetone fail to work, your next option is rubbing alcohol. Once again, the process is the same as above.

Go For Nail Polish Remover

If acetone didn’t remove the ink stain, a non-acetone remover is also worth a shot. Just follow the steps for the other products above and you are good to go.

Follow these tips on how to get ink off leather to restore the shine and luster of the material.