# removing permanent ink from a leather sofa **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 15, 2006, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-permanent-ink-from-a-leather-sofa/352736 "2006-04-15T01:35:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-permanent-ink-from-a-leather-sofa/352736/1 "2006-04-15T01:35:47Z")
Any hints on how to remove red permanent ink from a tan leather sofa without wrecking the sofa? 16 month old toddlers and permanent ink pens don’t mix ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-permanent-ink-from-a-leather-sofa/352736/2 "2006-04-15T01:56:27Z")
Try a little hairspray in an inconspicious corner, if it doesn’t affect the leather, spray some on the ink, let it stand for a few minutes, then wash it with a mild soap. The next day use a leather conditioner. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-permanent-ink-from-a-leather-sofa/352736/3 "2006-04-15T05:01:32Z")
Permanent marker ink is generally soluble in alchohol. Try some on an inconspicuous spot first. Plus what **picunurse** said about leather conditioner and luck. My first thought was to recommend scissors. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-permanent-ink-from-a-leather-sofa/352736/4 "2006-04-15T07:03:00Z")
IIRC, raw acetone (not the watered down stuff in nail polish, the good stuff at the hardware store) is best for dissolving permanent marker ink. Then again, its good for dissolving leather tanning, too. Test with a q-tip in an inconspicuous corner. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-permanent-ink-from-a-leather-sofa/352736/5 "2006-04-15T07:16:14Z")
Assuming that you have the offending marker, take a scrap of fabric, mark it, and then experiment. Acetone, Naptha, Isopropyl alcohol, Methyl ethyl ketone, and a few others are commonly sold. Sadly, 1-1-1 trichloroethane is impossible to find any more-it’s a great cleaner and solvent. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2006, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-permanent-ink-from-a-leather-sofa/352736/6 "2006-04-15T07:41:12Z")
Thanks for the replies everyone. I went with a quick rub down using rubbing alcohol and then wiped off with a damp rag repeatedly. The ink isn’t completely gone but not noticeable unless you know where to look. Thus far the leather color hasn’t changed or anything. I’m out of the rubbing alcohol but may try again in a couple of days if it’s still irritating and the sofa hasn’t faded. Told chinawife we aren’t buying a new sofa set until the bambina’s are out of the house - and that’s many years down the road.