how do I get ink of leather chair . My grand child sribbled on it?

Answer 1

This will depend on what type of leather you have.

If the ink is on a pigmented leather then the first thing you should try is an ink stick (find one that is a professional product used in the industry - LTT do one). The fresher the ink the more chance you have of removing it. Be sure to check the type of leather you have before doing this as if you use this on an aniline style it will not work and may leave a greasy mark which will not go away.

If an ink stick doesn't work a solvent based remover will need to be used and it may also remove finish and pigment so is best left to the experts.

Using hairspray/WD40 and all these other solvent cleaners is very risky as it can make the matter far worse as it can spread the ink over a bigger area and can sometimes then be impossible to fix.
Using alcohol can also be a little risky depending on how stable the finish is. If the finish is unstable this would remove pigment form the leather.
Nail varnish remover or any other solvents will also remove the finish and pigment which will need replacing.

DO NOT USE Baby wipes as they are about the worst thing you can use on a leather as they break down the finish and will eventually ruin it.

Please do not try milk or toothpaste these are silly ideas that will leave sticky residues on the surface which will help to break down the finish on your leather.
Magic erasers usually remove finish and pigment along with the ink.

Old ink will be harder to remove than new ink and may mean resorting to solvents which will also remove the finish. This is probably best left to the experts.

Silicones/furniture polish are the worst thing to use on leather as they will form a coating on the surface of the leather which will not allow any moisture to get to the leather and will eventually break all the finish down and make it crack.

Leather does not need conditioning it needs cleaning and protecting on a regular basis with water based products this will keep it rehydrated and supple. Oils will make things much worse.

Leather should be cleaned gently not scrubbed so 'elbow grease' will only do damage to the finish.

Hide food will not remove ink and will leave residues on the leather which will attract dirt and oils.

Using a good quality leather protector (one that works) will help make this problem easier should it happen again, it also does your leather good by protecting it against oils and dirt which ultimately make the pigment crack and the leather deteriorate.


If the ink is on an aniline leather then there is nothing that will work if leather cleaner has not. Basically you have redyed the leather and you would need a specialist to resolve the problem. Using a cleaner and protector on a regular basis will help to dissipate the ink and eventually it will not be so obvious.

Good Luck

Source(s):

http://www.LTTsolutions.net
Leather care consultnts to the furniture and cleaning industries
Professional knowledge
Training school for leather technicians

Answer 2

I'm interested in the answer too. My kids have made lots of ball-point markings on our dark leather sofa.

I would NOT use a magic eraser, or anything else abrasive. It WILL leave scratch marks.

I have a light-colored leather purse with the same types of marks, and have just basically accepted that they will be there, and to get over it.

Answer 3

Try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! It usually works on everything. Just read the package directions first to make sure it's okay to use on leather. Good Luck.

Answer 4

You can use a Mr. Clean Magic eraser. Also, Lysol is good at removing pen marks from surfaces...but I'm not sure I'd try it on a leather chair.

Answer 5

dampen a white T-shirt with water, add denatured alcohol make a couple of passes and then blend out, repeat up to 3 times before you have to leave the finish to cure back up as you will have softened it slightly and dont want to pull off color. (you can use a hair dryer to speed this up)
Never rub hard or in just one spot- always blend out.
When done apply a good leather conditioner with protectant in it to the surface.

Answer 6

Love those Grands!!! I have 3 and one of mine wrote with a RED marker all over the back of my Beige loveseat. It won't come out. Good Luck.

Answer 7

Try a q-Tip dabbed in WD40. Test it first somewhere that won't show to be sure the color isn't damaged.

Answer 8

Hairspray. Have a towel very handy though or you will make a bigger mess than you started with.

Answer 9

Try some rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth.:)

Answer 10

Never mind the chair. Get rid of the grandchild.