Many homeowners have leather furniture such as couches and recliners because they are comfortable and they are available in a wide range of sophisticated colors and styles to match any home décor. Like most upholstery materials, leather is susceptible to all types of stains and one of the most common types of stains on leather furniture is ink stains. If you like to sit on your leather couch or chair to do some work or a crossword puzzle as you relax, then you know how easy it is to get an ink stain on the leather. Fortunately, you can remove ink stains on leather furniture with the appropriate cleaning method.
Leather furniture
Before you begin any ink stain removal methods on your furniture, it is important to determine the type of leather as well as the type of ink in the stain. Ink stains from ball point pens or felt tip markers can be removed with the following cleaning method but ink from a permanent marker cannot be removed from the leather. In these cases, you should consider having your leather furniture dyed by a professional to match the stain or to a darker color to hide it. Suede leather must be cleaned by a professional because it is a sensitive material and smooth leather can be cleaned with this method but you should do so with caution. If you are worried about ruining your smooth leather furniture, it may be best to hire a professional. Ink stains on leather or vinyl furniture can be removed with this method.
Ink Stain Removal Method
The best way to remove an ink stain on leather is with isopropyl alcohol which is regular rubbing alcohol and a white cotton cloth or cotton swab. It is important to use a white cloth because dye from colored cloths can be transferred to the leather during cleaning. Dampen the cloth or the swap with the alcohol and start dabbing the outside of the stain while working your way towards the middle. This should cause the ink to transfer to the cloth and as the ink starts to come off, continue blotting with a clean area of the cloth or a new cotton swab to avoid re-staining the leather. Make sure to blot the ink stain and do not scrub because that could harm the leather or remove the color. Ink stains can penetrate the porous surface of the leather so older stains may require this process to be repeated.
If you find an ink stain on your leather furniture, you can remove the stain by blotting it with isopropyl alcohol but if you are dealing with permanent ink or leather furniture made from suede, it is best to consult a furniture restoration professional. Leather furniture is an investment and it is important for homeowners to know how to remove ink stains from leather furniture to maintain its appearance and extend its life.
Calling a professional furniture cleaning company is also an option.
