Removing Ink From Leather Seats
- Many materials have been touted as the best to use to remove ink from leather seats. These include hairspray, perfume and even nail polish remover. However, the first one to try is plain old household rubbing alcohol. Pour about a cup of it into a bowl and dip in the corner of a rag or kitchen towel. Then gently rub at the stain, without using excess pressure. The alcohol works to absorb the ink and dry it out at the same time, which aids in lifting it out of the leather one layer at a time.
- Some leather is so delicate that even rubbing alcohol will damage it. It may also fade colored leather or make the dye run. It's important to test the alcohol on an inconspicuous area of the seat, such as the bottom or the back, before attempting to clean it. Also important to note is the fact that permanent marker is just that, permanent. Since it's made to be irremovable, don't expect it to come off of your leather. Instead, plan on getting your seat recovered or dyeing the rest of it to match the stain.
- If you catch a small ink stain right when it happens, you may be able to get it out with an alcohol-based wipe, such as a Wet Nap. If you're a writer, artist or other frequent ink user, keeping one pack of these in your vehicle and another in the living room is definitely not a bad idea.
- Spraying your seats with a leather protectant, like Scotchgard, can also help you considerably, since it can prevent ink from penetrating the leather. Nevertheless, if you find yourself spilling ink more often than a couple times a year, it's time to invest in a seat cover.
