Here's How To Remove Ink Stains From Leather Furniture

Having leather furniture throughout the house can make the space feel more elegant, but leather furniture can get dirty quickly. While it can withstand a few spills occasionally, tougher ink stains can be difficult to eliminate. However, everything you need to remove ink stains is in your supplies closet, such as a dab of rubbing alcohol and some leather conditioner. The ink stains penetrate deep below the surface instead of sitting just on the outside, so you have to work a little harder to remove them. Because the leather is porous, it is more delicate to work with, so you have to be gentle when cleaning the ink stains.

It's vital to clean the ink stain as soon you notice it, preferably when it's still wet, so it doesn't seep too far into the leather, making it easier to remove. If you leave the stain for hours until you have time or buy the supplies, there will be a slight shadow left over from where the stain was. On the other hand, many types of leather can be affected differently, so it's crucial to know what leather you're working with to know which cleaning method you should use. For example, full grain leather is high-quality leather made from an animal's hide, while genuine leather is lower quality made with some faux leather and animal skin. Here's how to remove ink stains from full-grain leather furniture.

When handling ink stains on leather furniture, always do a patch test to ensure it responds well to the cleaning method. You don't want to add too much solution and ruin your furniture. You'll need a few supplies: a dry white cleaning cloth, a bowl, one bottle of leather conditioner, one bottle of isopropyl alcohol, and cotton swabs. Before removing any stains, ensure you work with smooth leather, not suede or nubuck leather.

Depending on how large the stain is, you can use the dry cloth or cotton swab to spot-test a small hidden area on the furniture with the rubbing alcohol by dabbing it directly on the stain. Once you notice a positive reaction, you can continue with other areas. Next, add the isopropyl alcohol to the bowl, dip the cotton swab or cloth into it, and dab the stain. You want to stick to the stained spot to prevent spreading it by working from the outside toward the center. Then, dip a new swab or cloth into the rubbing alcohol and dab the area again. Using a new swab or cloth is vital so you don't restain the furniture in the same or other places. Continue dipping and blotting the swab until the ink is gone. Finally, add a small amount of leather conditioner to the area for shine and smoothness, and allow it to completely air-dry.

If you don't have isopropyl alcohol at home, you can use white vinegar. However, regular vinegar can be too intense for leather, so you'll want to dilute it with water if you don't already have white vinegar. A one-to-one ratio of water to vinegar is sufficient to remove ink stains. Vinegar is also one of the best cleaning methods for your leather furniture sans stains; you can incorporate it into your rotation on cleaning day. You'll need diluted vinegar, a white cleaning cloth, dish soap, warm water, and a leather conditioner.

Before applying the vinegar to the stain, test it on a hidden area. After trying it, you can use it for the more significant ink stain. Dip the white cloth into the vinegar mixture and dab the ink stain working from the outside to the inside. Repeat the step until the ink stain is entirely removed. You'll want to use a new part of the cloth when re-blotting to prevent re-staining the area. Then, when the stain is removed, add a drop of mild soap to warm water and clean the vinegar residue and odor. Finally, apply a leather conditioner to the area and let it dry completely.