Ink stains are very annoying, as they reduce the value of your car, and are an eyesore for all your passengers. Fortunately, various home remedies can be effective for removing ink stains from car upholstery. Whether you're cleaning leather, fabric, or vinyl upholstery, knowing how to quickly and properly remove stains cheaply can make your car interior look beautiful.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Removing Ink from Fabrics and Vinyl Materials
Step 1. Remove the ink immediately
You'll have a harder time removing the ink stain once it's absorbed. First focus on removing the excess ink with a dry towel or tissue paper to absorb the excess liquid.
- Wipe the spilled ink carefully, while slightly pressing the ink affected area. Try wiping as much ink as possible from the edges of the ink to the center. This will prevent the ink from spreading.
- Do not rub the area, which can cause the ink to spread and seep into the fibers. Instead, carefully wipe off the ink as much as possible, before you clean it more deeply.
Step 2. Try isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
Ink stains are often successfully removed with rubbing alcohol, regardless of the type of upholstery in the car. 90% rubbing alcohol is preferred, but you can use 70% if that's the only type available.
- First, test the alcohol on an inconspicuous part of your upholstery to make sure that the alcohol won't damage the upholstery.
- Drop some rubbing alcohol on a clean white cloth. Don't pour it directly over the stain. Carefully wet the ink stain with the cloth. Do not rub or wipe it. Rubbing will cause the stain to spread. Repeat the process until the fabric is no longer absorbing the ink. Be sure to replace the washcloth, if the cloth is saturated (laden) with ink.
- Do not use alcohol on acetate, rayon, or triacetate fabrics. This type of fabric will stain and leave stains such as bleach, if alcohol is added.
Step 3. Consider using vinegar for ink stains
The acidic nature of vinegar is able to remove stains effectively. Plus, this vinegar is safe to use, gentle on hands, and eco-friendly.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap and 2 teaspoons of white vinegar in a cup of water. Use the solution to wet the ink-stained area with a soft cloth and rub gently.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wipe it off with cold water using a soft cloth. Dry the area thoroughly. Repeat until the solution is completely gone.
Step 4. Try hairspray. Hairspray isn't just for hair anymore. Hairspray is a strong, slightly volatile solution that can be an effective ink remover, and is used in small doses on both fabrics and leather. Once you see the stain, immediately spray a little hairspray over the ink, and immediately wipe it gently, using a clean, dry cloth. Repeat the process until the ink is gone.
Some say that stronger hairspray has better stain-removing properties, though that's hard to verify. Try whatever brand of hairspray you have, and use it in conjunction with other cleaning solutions, if necessary
Step 5. Try a commercial stain remover
If you're willing to rush to the store to tackle the stain, there are many cleaning products available that will help lift the stain from the fabric, and leave your upholstery clean. If you don't want to use home-made ingredients, try products from these brands:
- Oxi-Clean
- Kaboom
- Dry-cleaning solvent (Dry-cleaning solvent)
- Motsenbocker's Liftoff
Step 6. Thoroughly clean the affected area with clean water
After using the cleaning product of your choice on the stained area, try rinsing it again with clean water. Wet your cloth with water and rinse the area again with water, dampening it as gently as possible. Do several rinses with your cloth to remove as much ink as possible.
Absorb the water by placing a dry towel on the ink-stained area. Use a clean towel and cover it over the stained area, pressing firmly with your hands to absorb the water
Step 7. Repeat the cleaning process, if necessary
Let the area dry and recheck the stain after a few hours. If there are still significant stains, repeat the steps above, while trying other cleaning products, if necessary. It usually takes several attempts to completely remove a stain, so don't despair. Be persistent, and try again if you can't get rid of the stain the first time.
Method 2 of 2: Removing Ink from Leather
Step 1. Remove the ink as quickly as possible
Stains that have the opportunity to absorb on leather are very difficult to remove. The surface of leather is very smooth and porous, so it requires very little cleaning, and requires very careful care. To give you the best chance of removing the ink from the leather, don't allow the ink to soak into the upholstery of your car.
Use a clean rag to wipe the ink from the outside of the smudge, then work your way up to the inside. Carefully wipe off as much ink as possible before you try anything and use it to clean the ink more thoroughly
Step 2. Try using dish soap and water
If the stain is fresh (fresh), warm soapy water can fix it. Mix teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with a small amount of hot water to make a solution. Stir the solution until a lot of soap foam is formed.
Dip a soft cloth in the soap foam and gently wipe the ink stain with the soapy cloth, and slowly the soap foam soaks into the upholstery material and into the ink stain. Be careful not to rub it, but rather to wipe it gently. Use pressure to absorb as much of the ink stain as possible
Step 3. Try using a little rubbing alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol can be used to remove stains from leather car seats, especially new ink stains. Older stains that have been absorbed may need multiple cleanings to remove them more thoroughly, so you may need to repeat as necessary.
- Do a spot test first. First, apply a small amount of alcohol to an inconspicuous area of the upholstery to see how the leather reacts with the alcohol. Dampen a white cotton cloth with rubbing alcohol and apply a small amount to the corners of the upholstery, where a stain won't be obvious. Let it dry and check to make sure the alcohol isn't leaving a serious second stain on the leather.
- Blot the stain with a cloth. The ink will begin to transfer to the fabric. Don't rub it, just absorb it with the cloth. Repeat the process until the ink stain is gone. Be sure to replace the cloth, if it is saturated or loaded with ink to prevent the ink from staining the car seat again.
- Never pour alcohol directly on the leather seat. Wet the cloth and wet it as little as possible.
Step 4. Try peanut butter and window cleaner
Believe it or not, many people have had success using a combination of sandwich jam and glass cleaner, such as the Windex brand, to remove ink stains from car seats. Spray a small amount of window cleaner over the stain, just enough to gently wet it, then apply a teaspoon of peanut butter to the stain, and let it sit for a few minutes. Wipe the jam clean with a clean cloth and clean the seat again more thoroughly.
Step 5. Use a clean damp cloth to dry the solution
Whatever you use to remove the ink from the leather upholstery, you need to take steps to remove any excess moisture in the area. Make sure you wipe the area thoroughly with a slightly damp cloth, and then wipe again with a dry towel to absorb any excess moisture.
Step 6. Follow up with a leather conditioner
This conditioner will help prevent future stains and block additional moisture from seeping into the leather, preventing the leather from cracking over time. It is important to treat the leather seat with conditioner as soon as you remove the stain.
Use a clean, soft towel and dampen the ink-stained area with a small amount of conditioner
Tips
- For very stubborn stains, using a strong cleaner will eventually remove the stain, but there's also a chance that the material will bleed.
- You can use hairspray instead of alcohol to remove ink stains from car upholstery.
