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This article was co-authored by James Sears. James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.
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Ink spills are a pain to remove, especially if the ink is permanent. However, there are a few tried and true substances that work quite well to get rid of ink: alcohol, vinegar, and for the lighter stains, soapy water. It's important to get the stain as soon as you can, since the longer it sits, the tougher it will be to remove. Whether your couch is cloth, leather or vinyl, there's hope.
How to Get Pen Ink out of a Couch
Start by blotting up as much of the stain as possible with a dry cloth. Wet a clean white cloth with rubbing alcohol, and gently dab the stain. Rinse the area with clean water, and blot the stain dry. If you still see the ink mark, then try cleaning the area again.
Steps
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Blot the stain right away. It is important to deal with the ink stain immediately. Blot the spot with a clean cloth or paper towels and apply a little pressure on it. Just blot and don't rub, since rubbing might spread the stain.[1]- Work from the outside going towards the center and try to absorb as much ink as you can.
- Change the cloth or paper towels when needed.
- If the ink is already dry, it's still worth a try to remove it.
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![Step 2 Test the alcohol in an inconspicuous spot.]()
Test the alcohol in an inconspicuous spot. You can use rubbing alcohol to remove ink from leather, cloth, or vinyl, but no matter what material your couch is made from, it's a good idea to test it first just in case it alters the color or causes damage.[2]- 90 percent isopropyl alcohol is best, but you can also use 70 percent if that's the only one you have.[3]
- Wait a minute, then check the spot. If it didn't change colors or warp, you're good to go.
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Apply rubbing alcohol to a clean white cloth. Do not pour alcohol directly on the stain, since getting your couch all wet could cause it to look misshapen.
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Dab the ink stain with the cloth carefully. Do not rub or wipe it, since rubbing will cause the stain to spread. Repeat the process until the cloth is not absorbing any more of the ink.
- Make sure to change the cloth when it is saturated with ink, rather than dabbing more ink onto the couch.
- Use fresh alcohol if you're working so long that the alcohol evaporates.
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Clean and rinse the area thoroughly. Use a cloth dipped in water to wipe the area and clean off the alcohol.
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Dry the area with a towel. Take a step back and look at your handiwork. If the stain remains, repeat the process or try a different method for removing it.
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Follow up with a leather cleaner (for leather only). This will help prevent future stains and seal some added moisture into the leather to prevent it from cracking over time.
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![Step 1 Blot the stain right away.]()
Blot the stain right away. It is important to deal with the ink stain immediately. Blot the spot with a clean cloth or paper towels and apply a little pressure on it. Just blot and don't rub, since rubbing might spread the stain.- Work from the outside going towards the center and try to absorb as much ink as you can.
- Change the cloth or paper towels when needed.
- If the ink is already dry, it's still worth a try to remove it.
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![Step 2 Test the vinegar in an inconspicuous spot.]()
Test the vinegar in an inconspicuous spot. Vinegar works wonders on ink stains.[4] Its acetic properties allow it to remove stains effectively.[5] Plus, it's safe to use, gentle on hands and environment friendly. Vinegar can be used on any type of couch, but it's a good idea to test it in a hidden spot just in case it causes damage. -
Make a vinegar solution. Combine 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and 2 cups of cool water in a small bowl.
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Dab the solution on the stained area using a soft cloth. Rubbing too hard will cause the stain to spread. Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
- Blot the stain every 5 minutes during this 30 minutes, using a clean white cloth and more of the vinegar solution.
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Clean the spot. Use a soft cloth damped with cold water. Wipe the affected area thoroughly until the solution is completely gone.
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Use a dry towel to absorb the moisture. If the spot remains, repeat the process or try a different method for removing it.
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Follow up with a leather cleaner (for leather only). This will help prevent future stains and seal some added moisture into the leather to prevent it from cracking over time.
-
![Step 1 Blot the stain right away.]()
Blot the stain right away. It is important to deal with the ink stain immediately. Blot the spot with a clean cloth or paper towels and apply a little pressure on it. Just blot and don't rub, since rubbing might spread the stain.- Work from the outside going towards the center and try to absorb as much ink as you can.
- Change the cloth or paper towels when needed.
- If the ink is already dry, it's still worth a try to remove it.
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Mix up soapy water. If the stain is still fresh, warm soapy water can do the trick. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dish washing soap with a small amount of hot water in a small bowl to make a solution.
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Stir the solution until lots of soap suds are formed. You could also put it in a bottle and shake it up.
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Dip a soft cloth on the soap suds.
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Gently wipe the ink stain with the soapy cloth. Repeat the applying and wiping process when necessary.
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Use a clean damp cloth to rinse off the solution. Make sure to rinse the area thoroughly.
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Dry the area with a towel. If the stain remains, repeat the process or try another method.
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Follow up with a leather conditioner (for leather only). This will help prevent future stains and seal some added moisture into the leather to prevent it from cracking over time.
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
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You can use hairspray instead of alcohol to remove the ink stain from your couch, since hairspray contains alcohol.[6] Remember to test it in a hidden spot first.Thanks
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For really stubborn stains, using powerful cleaners may eventually remove the stains but there is also the possibility that the material of your couch will discolor.Thanks
- Do not mix vinegar and bleach together.
Things You'll Need
- Paper towels
- White cloths
- Cloth towels
- Small bowl
- Rubbing alcohol
- White Vinegar
- Dish-washing soap
- Leather conditioner
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning hacks, check out our in-depth interview with James Sears.
References
- ↑ https://housecleaningcentral.com/cleaning-tips/stain-removal/removing-ink-stain/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-ink-from-leather/
- ↑ https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Stain_Removal
- ↑ https://www.si.edu/mci/english/learn_more/taking_care/stains.html
- ↑ https://detailxperts.com/how-to-get-ink-stains-out-of-car-seats/
- ↑ https://www.popsci.com/remove-any-stain
About This Article
To clean an ink stain from a couch, blot the stain immediately with a paper towel or cloth. Then, test the rubbing alcohol on an inconspicuous place to make sure it won’t damage your couch. If no harm is done, put some alcohol on a clean white cloth and dab the affected area. To clean off the alcohol, use a damp cloth, then dry the area with a towel. Alternatively, make a solution using 1 tablespoon of dish soap, 2 teaspoons of white vinegar, and 1 cup of water. Finally, dab the solution on the affected area before cleaning it off with cold water. For tips on how to get rid of a stain using soap and water, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
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"I used vinegar on a dry/set ink stain. I soaked the stain, let sit for a minute, then used a clean cloth to carefully blot the ink. Repeat over and over with a clean part of the rag. Don't rub/clean until most/all of the ink has lifted."..." more
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