Any Suggestions on How to Remove Ink?

Updated on June 30, 2008
D.G. asks from Omaha, NE
27 answers

I was wondering if anyone knows how to remove ink from leather? My son got hold of a pen and there are lots of marks on my leather sofa. I read online to use rubbing alcohol, but that didn't work. If anyone knows of a better way, I'd appreciate the info. Thanks.

1 mom found this helpful

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the advice, unfortunately, nothing worked! A family member is buying all my furniture, so it won't be an issue for me now! Thanks again for all the suggestions!

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A.B.

answers from Sioux Falls on

I havn't read the responses so I hope this is not something someone else already told you. Spray hairspray dirrectly on it let it sit for just a little while and rub it out with a clean wet rag. I've had ink on just about anything for some reason my daughter thinks that the whole world is a drawing pad! Good luck and let us know if you got it out!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.M.

answers from Salt Lake City on

the WD-40 can says it works on ink, but I've never tried it. I did however use it when my kids wrote on the walls with crayon and it wiped right off. Worth a try!

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M.O.

answers from Omaha on

Hi! Okay, ink stains on most fabrics can be removed with Hair Spray! I have always used the pump hair spray, probably not aersol. But, I don't know about leather...it is worth a try! Good luck! M.

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D.V.

answers from Las Vegas on

Did you get any results ? If so, there is still "hope".
Melaleuca has a product called Sol-U-Mel that does wonders in my home of 4 kids (3 of the 4 which are under the age of 5 ;-)

Personal experiences, Sol-U-Mel removed red lipstick off my carpet and walls (my 2 year old got a hold of my 4 year old daughters make up). All true !!

Sol-U-Mel removed ink from my "off" white leather sectional...............right before my husband walked into the front door from work. Email me ____@____.com

Don't worry, I'm not trying to sell you anything, but I can show you how you can get this miracle product (and more) and highly discounted cost.

Take Care !

1 mom found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from Sioux Falls on

I haven't tried it on leather but you can try a product called FOLEX (it is a non toxic cleaner..can get it at walmart fairly cheap. It got red permanent marker off of my white carpet several hours after my daughter had fun with the marker. Also got rust off of my bathtub that was left by a shaving cream can. Hope this helps. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful

L.W.

answers from Portland on

Hi D.,
I have heard those liquid hand sanatizers get out ink ~ maybe it will have something different than the plain rubbing alcohol that will help get it out.
:) L.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.O.

answers from Portland on

well i heard of some product called goof off or goo gone, those work well for alot of stuff it is at FRED MEYERS it is a citrus kind of oil product but it is strong

1 mom found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Denver on

Real easy - clearasil face cleansing pads - WORKS great!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Cheyenne on

Have you tried finger nail polish remover

1 mom found this helpful
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D.G.

answers from Portland on

GOO GONE....works on everything...even crayon on the wall....and gum and tar...GOOD LUCK!!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.H.

answers from Lincoln on

Try calling Ming Auto Beauty Center & see what they say. You could also try GOOP & or Zout. I'm not sure IF Zout will work on leather or not. IF it does, it may take a several treatments.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.O.

answers from Portland on

Meleleuca has a cleaner called Sol-u-mel. It works on almost everything.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.S.

answers from Honolulu on

Have you tried leather cleaner wipes? These worked great for me. I guess it would depend on the color of your leather and the type of ink... Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.K.

answers from Rapid City on

I don't know about leather, but rubbing alcohol has worked wonders for getting ink out of clothes for me...the problem is it didn't do much alone (but smear the ink), I'd soak the stain with it then put it in the washer...you might try a general stain remover after the fact and see what happens. Anyway, one other response said drycleaners got her ink stain out...since you can't take a couch to the drycleaners you might try an at home dry cleaning product. (I personally use dry cleaner's secret sold at target for like 7 bucks and it works great on my clothes) Otherwise you can go to any furniture store and ask them what they use...they're pretty helpful.

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A.W.

answers from Omaha on

If rubbing alcohol didn't work, try hair spray. I know it will get ink out of fabric, haven't tried it on leather. Hope that helps!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Omaha on

try DESOLVE IT you can get it a walmart.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.D.

answers from Omaha on

My son did the same thing, all I used was a leather cleaner/conditioner and rubbed it in well. This at least helped to fade it.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Have you tried hairspray it takes ink off of my son and clothes so it might work on the leather

1 mom found this helpful
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S.

answers from Honolulu on

Try silicone spray (the stuff you spray on the garage door hinges to make it stop squeaking) or WD-40. My son got a hold of a permanent marker and went nuts inside my van! I got to it quickly enough to where most of it came off. He got to my wooden floors too and the silicone spray took it right off. Hopefully it's not too late for your sofa - good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.C.

answers from Sioux Falls on

Try a plain old baby wipe! It's got ALOT of ink off of my sofa (not leather) so it may work on yours, and I doubt it would damage the leather at all. Worth a try!

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Omaha on

Try the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, I swear that thing works on EVERYTHING, it even got half dried paint of my walls, and didn't hurt the actual paint that was supposed to be there.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I got pen on my leather coat and tried hairspray and alcohol, it only smeared the ink, I took it to a dry cleaner and they were able to get it out. Some of them have a special solution and a tool like an air gun to get it out without causing damage or bleeding the ink.
Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.W.

answers from Las Vegas on

Ink is the hardest thing to get out of leather. If you catch it at the moment it hits the skin it will come out. Once it sets in 99% of the time you are stuck with it unless you call a proffessional leather person out to take care of it. Most of the time that is the way you have to go. :( It isn't cheap either! I wouldnt try hairspray or alcohol it can strip your leather!

1 mom found this helpful
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P.R.

answers from Omaha on

I have never tried it, but my friend and I both have leather couches and her girls write on hers a lot. She uses hairspray and it works well. Give it a try. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.

answers from Boise on

WD-40, or there is a stronger type (I got some to remove Rubber Cement from the carpet- talk about a mess!)- it's like the Goo-Gone, but industrial strength. I think my husband found it at Home Depot or Lowe's. Try it on a really small area first though.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.J.

answers from Las Vegas on

hair spray removes ink. sounds weird, but it works. spray a small area before using it on the entire couch...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.R.

answers from Honolulu on

I have used hairspray to remove ink from other types of fabric, but I don't know what if might do to leather. Spray the hairspay on an area that isn't visible to check first.
Good luck.

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