How do I get ink pen scribbles off my white leather couch? We've tried the special ink remover stick for leather and this lightened up the marks, but they are still quite noticeable. Any suggestions?
Andrea - San Antonio, TX
I used rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip for the ball point pen my 2 year old got on our cream leather. There was no discoloration. (01/08/2005)
By Kim Lucibello, MA
i have just used lacoste aftershave it has taken the ink off but taken a bit off the shine off of the leather, still looks better than the biro pen! I recommend it. (01/10/2005)
By Diane - Glasgow
Everything depends upon the type of leather, the dye and type of stain, etc. On one sofa alcohol might work and on another it might remove the color. Keep in mind that many furniture manufacturers also use top grain leather in the seating areas and splits on the sides and back. Some use vinyl in areas that don't touch the body. I recommend treating leather with a protection cream when you first get your furniture home to repel stains. Then keep it clean by dusting it. Leather needs to be cleaned with a damp cloth whether you see the dirt or not, just like a carpet, or it will begin to show wear. If you already have a mark like ink, try witch hazel instead of alcohol. Regular rubbing alcohol and hairspray both work a lot of the time, but start out with a spot where loss of color won't be noticeable. (01/13/2005)
By Nancy
I just used Adidas aftershave on a cotton ball on my tan leather car seats and it got the ink right of with little rubbing. it took the shine out of the leather but not too bad. I would recommend using aftershave. Thanks for the advice. (02/12/2005)
By Burns
My daughter decided to leave me a present of blue pen marks one morning! I had only had my cream leather sofa for 1 week! Aftershave was a no-no, but i did have me ex's lynx body spray left lying around so i gave it a go. Results were brilliant, no more pen marks, no faded color and my sofa smells gorgeous! (05/29/2005)
By Gemma
My cat, Oliver, is a pen thief. I discovered black ink all over my cream leather couch. Your recommendation of AXE body spray worked GREAT. (07/26/2005)
By Connie
I just used my favorite Boss aftershave. Two Biro marks disappeared! Partner now a happy lady and the kids are safe! (09/04/2005)
By Gordon
By Milliecatkins
The reason the hair spray and body sprays worked is because they have alcohol in them. So try using isopropyl alcohol or denatured alcohol (best). Dab with a Q-tip and see if it spots first. Remember isopropyl alcohol is much more drying than denatured. Good luck (09/12/2005)
By Michael
Isopropyl Alcohol did WONDERS to remove the big black spiral ink rings on my cream color leather sofa that my 21 month budding artist created.
I was horrified. I was on the phone with my Mom and she told me to do a google. I found this website with the first entry from a women in San Antonio (where I live) with the same cream color sofa and a same budding artist! I did not think it would work but it did! THANK YOU!
(09/30/2005)
By Carrie Wallace
I tried hair spray, perfume, cologne, alcohol, vodka every suggestion on here and it won't come off. My dark chocolate leather couch is ruined with black ink pen scribbles. (10/27/2005)
By athena
I have tried the nail polish remover AND the perfume, but it hasn't worked. My sofas are a antique look brown leather, that my friends little girl drew on with a blue biro on the seat. The remover and perfume are taking the color out of the leather. (11/04/2005)
By ksthryn
I used my Britney Spears perfume on my tan colored leather couch that my 2 year old just marked up with a black ink pen, and it worked great! You cant even see where it was marked on. (11/07/2005)
By Holly-Louisiana
The reason perfume or aftershave or hairspray works is because they are all alcohol based. If you use regular rubbing alcohol it'll work just as well if not better and you're saving your good perfume for yourself! But if you don't have rubbing alcohol on hand .. reach for that perfume!
By Rebekah
My son had an accident with a black biro and my new cream leather sofa, I was panicking as tried everything under the kitchen sink but nothing worked then I came across this site and tried perfume. It worked great and I'm happy once again. Many thanks :-) (11/08/2005)
By Ele-Scotland
The rubbing alcohol worked great on my cream leather, taking off the blue pen ink that my son had gotten on our ottoman. You people who initially figured this out deserve a medal! (11/16/2005)
By Lorna
We just bought a $2,000 couch, had a party last night and a friend accidently made some blue ball point pen marks on it last night. We took the rubbing alcohol idea, and it came rite out. THANKS! (11/20/2005)
By Keith
I wrote on my hands with black ball-point pen and it wore off my hands onto my creme leather couch. I didn't know what to do! I used rave 3x ultra hairspray. I am so glad, it came right off. You can hardly see the pen marks!
By ashley
Don't use alcohol on brown leather couch. It also takes the brown stain/finish out! (12/20/2005)
By brown leather couch
I used pure IPA to get a blue ball-point mark off of very light cream colored soft leather in the interior of my car - worked perfectly. After using a Q-tip and IPA, there was a bit of a light spot - so, I put some IPA on a facecloth and gave a 'quick wipe' over the surrounding area - this blended the light spot in, now, it looks perfect, good as new.
All I can add to what has been said is that perhaps it would be a good idea to put some leather conditioner on the leather after the ink has been removed, to keep the leather soft and supple. (03/05/2006)
By Michael - Toronto, Canada
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