How to remove ink stains from leather car upholstery

Video: How to remove ink stains from car seat

Content

Steps
Method 1 of 2: non-leather upholstery
Alcohol
Vinegar
Method 2 of 2: leather upholstery
Liquid dish soap and water
Alcohol
Tips
What do you need

The presence of an ink stain on the upholstery of the car causes the value of your car to drop. It is better to keep the interior of the car always clean. Ink stain is one of the most difficult to remove stains, so removing it can be quite difficult. Use these simple steps to effectively remove ink stains from leather upholstery, fabric upholstery or faux leather upholstery.

Steps

Start removing the stain as soon as possible. It will be much harder for you to remove the stain when it's dry. For starters, focus on removing excess ink using dry or paper towels to absorb it. Blot the ink stain, but don't overdo it. Do not scrub the stain as this may enlarge it. Try to remove as much ink as possible by treating the stain starting from the outer ring and working towards the center. This will prevent the stain from enlarging. The method used will depend on the type of upholstery in your vehicle.

Method 1 of 2: non-leather upholstery

Only a small part of the car's upholstery is made of leather. Most of the upholstery is made from non-leather materials such as faux leather.

Alcohol

Ink stains can often be removed with rubbing alcohol. Use 90% isopropyl alcohol, or 70% if you only have this. First, test the alcohol on an inconspicuous spot on the upholstery to make sure the alcohol won't damage the material.

1 Apply rubbing alcohol to a clean, white cloth. Do not pour alcohol directly onto the stain.
2 Gently blot the stain with a cloth. Do not rub or wipe off the stain. Friction will increase the stain.
3 Repeat the process until the fabric stops absorbing ink. Change the fabric when it is no longer able to absorb ink.
4 Rinse the stain thoroughly with clean water.
5 Wipe off the water by placing a dry towel on the stain.

Vinegar

Vinegar works wonders for ink stains. Its acetic properties make it an effective stain remover. Moreover, it is safe to use, gentle on the hands and environmentally friendly.

1 In a glass of water, mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap and 2 teaspoons of white vinegar.
2 Apply the solution to the stain with a soft cloth.
3 Wipe gently. Excessive friction will enlarge the stain.
4 Leave the solution on the stain for 10 minutes and then wipe it off with a soft cloth and cold water. Rinse the stain thoroughly. Repeat the entire process again until the solution is removed from the upholstery.
5 Wipe off moisture with a dry towel.

Method 2 of 2: leather upholstery

Removing ink stains from the skin is very difficult, especially when the ink has already been absorbed into the skin. The skin surface is porous and very delicate, so use the methods described in this section carefully.

Liquid dish soap and water

If the stain is still fresh, warm, soapy water will remove it.

1 Mix half a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with a little hot water.
2 Stir until foamy.
3 Dip a soft cloth in the lather.
4 Wipe the stain gently with a soapy cloth. Repeat the process as needed.
5 Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the solution off the upholstery. Be sure to rinse the stain thoroughly.
6 Wipe off excess water with a dry towel.
7 Follow with a leather conditioner. This will help prevent future blemishes and lock in moisture to the skin, preventing it from cracking.

Alcohol

Alcohol, preferably isopropyl alcohol, can remove ink stains from leather upholstery. It works well for fresh stains, but with old stains you will need to reapply the rubbing alcohol several times. Test the alcohol first on an inconspicuous area of the upholstery to see how the leather reacts to alcohol.

1 Dampen a white cotton cloth with rubbing alcohol. Do not pour alcohol directly onto the stain.
2 Blot the stain with a cloth. The ink will begin to transfer to the fabric. Don't rub, just apply the cloth to the stain. Repeat the process until the stain is completely removed. Be sure to change the fabric when it is completely saturated with ink to prevent re-soiling of the upholstery.
3 Rinse the stain thoroughly with clean water.
4 Wipe off any remaining water in the upholstery with a dry towel.
5 Follow with a leather conditioner. This will help prevent future blemishes and lock the moisture into the skin so it won't crack.

Tips

You can use hairspray instead of alcohol to remove ink stains from car upholstery.
Using powerful cleaners to remove stubborn stains can discolor the upholstery material.