5 ways to remove ink from leather

When you are dealing with ink, it is easy for a small mark or smudge to end up on a leather sofa or a bag.

It can often seem impossible to remove the stain completely, but with the right methods you can get great results!

In this article we will look at some simple, effective ways to remove ink from leather safely and quickly.

How to remove ink stains from leather with DIY methods

Ink marks can be an annoying problem, but luckily there are a few solutions that can help remove them.

Before showing you all the methods, let me tell you a few things:

• every type of leather reacts differently to each of the substances I am about to list.
• fresh ink stains are easier to remove. For those you can start with the first three methods I list shortly, as they are the least aggressive.
• the type of ink is decisive for good results. Permanent ink cannot be removed from leather as easily as ballpoint pen!

In any case, I strongly recommend always testing a hidden area to make sure the chosen method does not cause damage!

Now I can start showing you the tricks to remove an ink mark from leather.

1. Use a pencil eraser. Gently rub the pencil eraser over the ink stain until it is removed.
2. Use a leather cleaner. Apply a small amount of cleaner to the leather and rub gently with a soft cloth.
3. A solution of warm water and Marseille soap. This method is ideal for vegetable-tanned leather. Gently dab the leather with a clean cotton cloth soaked in the water and soap solution.
4. Hairspray. This is one of the most useful methods for removing ink stains from leather! Spray the hairspray on the leather and rub with a cloth several times, applying light pressure.
5. Use denatured alcohol. Warning! This method is the most aggressive and could cause stains and other problems, such as a slight loss of dye. Use it only for the most stubborn stains. Apply a small amount of alcohol to a white cloth or a cotton ball and pass it gently over the stain without rubbing too much.

Nourishing the leather after removing the ink

If you followed one of the methods described above, a halo may remain in the treated area.

Especially if you used hairspray or denatured alcohol, the surface layer of leather, also called the "grain side", may have released a little dye.

Do not worry!

You can apply a cream polish or use our wax to nourish the leather.

We have reached the end of this article!

As you have seen, with the right basic ingredients at hand, an ink mark can be removed from leather without causing damage.

Did you try one of our methods to clean your sofa or your garment?

Let us know in the comments how it went!

If in doubt, consult a professional in your area, who can see the type of leather in person and decide how best to proceed.