I had wet black leather gloves and put them on the counter for a couple of days. Now they’ve left a strange blue stain resembling a handprint. I scrubbed, that helped a bit, but it’s still like trying to scrub off a glass-ring-mark left on wood. How do I get it off???
First, are we dealing with a laminate (like Formica brand) surface?
If so, you can use a non-abrasive cleanser like Bon Ami.
Try toothpaste or other mild polishes. Try car cleaner/wax and use it lightly and/or test an area.
You don’t want to scratch up the surface, or it won’t be as glossy as the rest.
Removing Stains: Plastic Laminate
Some suggestions for specific types of stains:
Plastic laminate resists normal household staining
problems-it shrugs off children’s crayons and most
spilled drinks.
Food Stains
Some fruit drink, tea and coffee stains can be
difficult to remove, as can glass rings, water marks and
fingerprints. A thorough cleaning with a mild detergent
or a household cleaner and soft bristle brush are
effective.
Newer food dyes used in beverages and gelatin dessert
mixes stain very quickly, especially red shades. If some
is spilled, wipe up at once. To remove the stain, pour
rubbing alcohol on the area and spread with your hand.
Let stand a minute, and then apply chlorine bleach
directly to the stain and let stand a minute. Rinse with
clear water. OR try a solution of equal parts of white
vinegar and water for a minute, and rinse.
Chemical Stains
FORMICA brand laminate resists many chemicals,
including alcohol and most cosmetics and drugs. Take care
when using bluing or laundry bleaches or hair dyes and
rinses. These chemicals can cause permanent stains.
Ink Stains
Take care with plastic laminate counters when using
indelible inks, such as felt marking pens. Food pricing
labels sometimes use indelible inks that can transfer
onto a laminate surface. To remove such stains, use full
strength Pinesol or household spray cleaner and allow it
to draw out the stain. Blot away with a damp cloth, then
rinse. Solvents such as denatured alcohol may also be
used. CAUTION: Most solvents are extremely flammable;
keep away from flame or electrical sparks. Chlorine
bleach may be used by dampening a cloth sparingly and
blotting onto the stained area for no longer than a
minute. Then, rinse thoroughly with warm water.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus, with reference from the Formica
Corporation.
One of the best things I’ve ever found to clean stuff with is Go/Jo, DAP, or a similar waterless hand cleaner. It’s non-toxic, water soluable, non-abrasive and will clean practically anything you want off your hands. I use it to clean lots of stuff. I don’t know about leather stains but if it was on my countertop I’d probably try it.
Nearly all commercial leather dyes are alcohol-based. Rubbing alcohol (or vodka?) ought to get much of it out.