If you've spilled ink on your white leather sofa, don't panic! Act quickly before it spreads. Ink stains present some difficulties, but it is not impossible to manage them with some "do it yourself" remedies or with professional help.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Verified Remedies
Step 1. Find out if the leather is treated or raw
The raw one is extremely absorbent and has practically not been tanned, so it is impossible to clean without the help of a professional. Try putting some water on the leather object; if it is absorbed, it is raw leather and you must go to a specialized dry cleaner. If the water remains on the surface, then it is treated leather and you can proceed with cleaning.
Take raw hides (such as chamois) directly to the dry cleaners to get rid of the stain. It is an extremely absorbent material and the stain is very difficult to remove. Attempting home remedies, in this case, could cause more damage (as well as being a waste of time)
Step 2. Evaluate how far the stain has penetrated
If it's freshly spilled ink that's on the surface, start cleaning by following the next steps. If the stain is old or has penetrated the fibers, then chances are you will need to re-dye the item to hide it.
Step 3. If possible, read the cleaning instructions that come with a leather garment
The manufacturer may recommend a certain cleaner or emollient to get rid of the ink. He may also advise you not to do certain things (some also listed in this article), as they will not only be ineffective, but will ruin the material.
Step 4. Give it a try before trying any methods
Find a hidden spot on the leather object and scrub it with the cleaning solution of your choice to make sure it doesn't cause any damage or stains.
You don't have to check that the solution is effective against the ink stain, you need to make sure it doesn't damage the skin. If the cleaner doesn't get rid of the dirt, it won't be a problem, but you shouldn't let it do any worse damage to the item
Step 5. Carefully scrub the area with a cloth moistened with soap
Soap-based cleaners are more delicate than those that contain solvents, so they are more suitable for materials such as leather.
How can you tell soap-based cleaners from solvent-based cleaners? The word "solvent" or "solvent based" is clearly written on the package, so check carefully and you can't go wrong
Step 6. Treat the stain with a specific eraser
Sometimes, when you take a leather item to the laundry, you may notice that the staff use some sort of pen eraser to remove the stains. This is an expensive tool, but it is worth it when compared to the price of the leather item.
Step 7. Try some saddle soap
It is a product that riders use to clean and treat saddles (which are made of leather), but of course it can be used on all leather objects. Saddle soap ingredients are often a very mild cleanser and emollients such as lanolin and glycerin that help rehydrate the leather after cleaning.
If you want to treat your leather item and extend its life, apply saddle soap regularly but in small quantities. The key to good-looking leather is proactive, non-restorative treatment
Step 8. Try skin cleansers and emollients
Just like saddle soap, these products cleanse and moisturize the leather, while also preventing the formation of cracks. While ink stains are stubborn, try a cleanser and emollient to see if they're effective.
The material you use to apply the cleanser and emollient is just as important. You will need to use something non-abrasive, which will not scratch like a sponge instead of a pad to apply the wax. The latter are great if you need to soften and polish the skin, but are not as good if you need to treat a persistent blemish
Method 2 of 3: Unverified Home Remedies
Step 1. Try hair spray
You got it right, just the one you use to fix the hairstyle. It may not be the trendiest cleaner (or yes, it depends on your point of view), but many swear it works. Here's how to use it on the stain:
- Soak a cotton ball or Q-tip in the hairspray.
- Quickly treat the stain with the cotton swab or cotton swab.
- Apply a leather cleaner and then an emollient. Since hairspray tends to dry out the skin, causing cracks, a rehydrating treatment at the end is important.
- Repeat this process until the stain disappears.
Step 2. Try isopropyl alcohol
The 70% one seems to have worked in the past, even if it is not the first choice among the methods of cleaning leather. Dip a cotton swab in alcohol and rub it on the affected area. Since alcohol dries the skin, remember to continue the treatment with a cleanser and an emollient. Repeat as needed.
Step 3. Try the "magic eraser"
Wet the tip of one of these sponges with water and then rub it on the stain. Magic erasers contain a material called melamine foam which is very effective on the toughest stains. Finish cleaning with a leather emollient by applying it with a clean cloth.
Step 4. Acetone-free nail polish remover
Some people have managed to remove ink stains from their leather sofa thanks to this product. Wet a cotton swab with the solvent, rub it on the ink and then finish with a specific detergent and conditioner to prevent the leather from drying out.
Method 3 of 3: Prevention
Step 1. Treat leather items regularly with quality products, such as an emollient
This helps the skin retain moisture making it less susceptible to cuts and cracking. Some are able to "seal" the leather avoiding a sudden absorption of stains (of ink or any other liquid).
Step 2. Take care of your leather items
There are many things you can do to protect them, in addition to a regular cleansing and moisturizing routine. After all, a well-treated leather item is a cleaner product and less prone to ink stains.
Advice
- Always test the cleaner on a hidden corner of the skin before using it to remove ink stains.
- Most leather cleaners will not remove the ink unless you have consistently applied a protective product.
Warnings
- Don't rub the leather to remove an ink spot, or you will damage it.
- Don't try to remove the ink from untanned leathers at all as your attempt will likely leave a greasy residue.
- Don't use hairspray, nail polish, baby wipes, milk, toothpaste, magic sponges, or silicone-based furniture polish to clean the leather, or you will make the problem worse because it will deteriorate.
