How to remove ink from suede

Video: Remove ink/ball point pen from suede & leather

Content

Method 2 of 3: Erase the stain
Method 3 of 3: Minimize the stain
Tips
Warnings
Similar articles

1 Take out a small piece of fine sandpaper. Sanding is considered the best way to remove stains from suede.

The widespread emery nail file is also suitable for this job. An emery nail file is essentially a small strip of fine-grained sandpaper glued to a piece of cardboard. They can be purchased for a small price at most grocery stores, pharmacies, and beauty salons.

2 Conduct a spot check. Despite the fact that sandpaper carries almost no risk for suede, it is not suitable for all things. Certain finishing and dyeing techniques can make the suede more prone to rubbing damage. To make sure sanding won't damage the suede in any way, first do the following:

Select a small, inconspicuous spot to check. It should be in an inconspicuous place, such as the inside of a jacket. If you can't find such a place, choose another, slightly less noticeable area, for example, the inside of the boot, but not the outside.
Rub the area lightly with sandpaper. Swipe it back and forth several times.
Check for damage. It is not unusual for a small amount of loose fibers to appear after sanding the suede. You can cut them off with a razor. In case of discoloration or significant changes in texture, you should try another cleaning method.

3 Sand the stain. Gently erase the stain with sandpaper. Work over the entire area in small circular motions. Press as lightly as possible. Be careful not to rip off the fabric. Over time, the stain should gradually fade away.

4 Top it off with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. It is possible that sanding alone will not be enough to remove the stain. If it happens that the stain does not want to wear off, stop and use a solvent:

Dip a soft bristled brush in white vinegar or rubbing alcohol.
Wipe the stain gently to avoid accidentally peeling off the suede.
If the brush dries before you completely remove the stain, soak it again in the solvent of your choice.
Once the stain is gone, use a clean toothbrush to scrub the damaged area.

Method 2 of 3: Erase the stain

1 Use a suitable eraser. It can be made of rubber, vinyl or rubber. It is only important that your eraser is white (or brown if it is made of rubber). Erasers that have been dyed bright colors like pink can leave an even bigger stain.
- Suede cleaning kits are often sold with a special suede eraser.
2 Wipe the stain with an eraser. Press the eraser against the ink stain and rub it as if you were erasing a pencil from paper. Press down on the eraser as you rub.Due to its soft texture, it is unlikely that an eraser will damage suede.
- Continue rubbing with the eraser until the stain is either completely gone or no longer erased.
- Depending on how dirty the suede is, this step can take you a fair amount of time. You may even need to use a second eraser if the first erases completely.
- When you're done, shake off the rest of the eraser.
3 Finish with solvent if necessary. If the stain persists after the eraser stops working, you will need to remove the remaining stain with a suede-safe solvent:
- Dip a soft bristled brush in rubbing alcohol or white vinegar.
- Gently scrub the stain with a brush. Use as little pressure as possible to avoid peeling the suede.
- When it comes to removing stubborn stains, alternating the wiping and brushing cycles will help you achieve the best results.
- Once the stain is gone, use a clean toothbrush to scrub the damaged area. This will restore the suede to its original texture.

Method 3 of 3: Minimize the stain

1 Cover the suede with a protective layer. Since cleaning suede is so problematic, why not prevent ink stains at all? Protective suede sprays are available at most hardware stores, leather goods stores, and footwear stores. Even if the protective layer cannot fully protect the suede, it will make the stain much smaller and easier to remove.
- Be sure to spot check your clothing before applying sealant. Even products specifically made for suede can lead to discoloration due to differences in manufacturing techniques.
- Apply a protective layer every few months.
- Take a suede brush and smooth it down on the garment before and after you spray.
2 Wipe off excess ink immediately. A universal rule of thumb for dealing with stains is to absorb as much liquid as possible before it spreads. Blot ink with a clean cloth. Never wipe off the stain. Instead, blot it with light touches. Just don't press too hard. Rubbing and applying too much pressure can cause the paint to bite even more into the suede, making it much more difficult to remove the stain.
3 Remove the stain as soon as possible. Start removing the stain as soon as the ink is dry. The longer the stain stays on the clothing, the harder it will be to remove. If the stain is left on for too long, it may remain permanently.
- Unlike other types of stains, it makes more sense to let the suede dry before cleaning the ink stain. Sandpaper and eraser methods will not work on wet ink. In addition, trying to clean wet ink using only solvent can cause it to leak, which will only increase the stain.

Tips

Make sure the ink is dry before removing it. If the ink is wet, you may end up smearing it even more on the fabric.
Be sure to check your suede garment for special handling and cleaning instructions before attempting any cleaning method. These instructions are usually located on the label.
If the damaged item is expensive enough, it would be much more expedient to take it to a professional cleaner than to risk spoiling it.
If a few fibers come out of the suede during cleaning, cut them off with a disposable razor.

Warnings

Be careful with liquids. Remember that water can stain your suede.
Use chemicals sparingly. If you decide to use a commercial suede cleaner, be careful. Applying a large amount of strong chemicals to natural suede fibers can destroy them permanently.