We have all had to deal with leaky pens and what they do to leather—put a broken ballpoint pen or Sharpie in a pants pocket or leather bag by mistake, and suddenly, a blue or black blotch appears on your leather jacket or couch. These pen marks last forever if untreated, and if you don’t know how to remove pen ink from leather, cleaning these stains can be frustrating and may result in a bigger mess.
You don’t want to cover up or throw away an expensive and good-looking piece of furniture or purse because of an ink stain, but what cleaning options do you have?
Fortunately, there are some tried-and-true methods for getting ink out of leather – some methods require specialized ink removers, and some of them need nothing more than household cleaning products. In this article, we’ve gathered some of the most effective ways to remove pen ink from leather
How to Get Ink Out of Leather
Evaluate your stain and determine the best way to treat it. How to remove an old oil stain from a leather bag is a little different than dealing with ink.
Use Hair Spray on the Stain
The magic ingredient in hair spray that works on ink stains is isopropyl alcohol, otherwise known as plain old rubbing alcohol. Over time, companies have reduced or phased out isopropyl alcohol levels in hair spray completely, so this method is not as effective as it once was.
However, if you don’t have rubbing alcohol in the home, you can use a hair spray with a relatively high alcohol content to clean your leather. Before you try to clean pen marks with hair spray, you should test the cleaning method on an inconspicuous place on the leather.
Spray the pen marks, allow it to sit for several minutes, and then rinse the spot with cool water. Afterward, dab – don’t rub – the place with a dry cloth or paper towel.
Apply Alcohol to the Stain
Alcohol can be useful for how to remove Sharpie or other ink from leather but it can damage leather if you apply it carelessly. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol is the most effective. Denatured alcohol or nail polish remover may work better, but you run a higher risk of damaging the leather.
Make sure to test the alcohol in a hidden spot before using it on the stain to ensure that you will not harm the fabric. Apply the alcohol with a cotton swab or cotton ball and rub lightly as you apply.
The ink should soak into the cotton swab. Do not allow the alcohol to sit too long after application – quickly dry the area with a hairdryer, if possible, or it might eat away at the leather.
For Non-White Leather, Try this Homemade Leather Cleaner
This home remedy is effective and safe to use on non-white leather, but always make sure to test the mix on a small area first.
Lemon Juice-Based DIY Leather Cleaner Recipe
1 part lemon juice
1 part cream of tartar
Mix the two ingredients into a paste. Then, apply the mixture to the ink spot using a microfiber cloth. Work the paste into the stain, and let it sit for a few hours if the stain remains.
Once you have cleaned the area with a damp cloth, apply a commercial or DIY leather conditioner to ensure that the leather is maintained, and you are working on a piece of leather furniture, be sure to always follow the tips for cleaning a leather couch for best results.
Homemade Cleaner for White Leather
White leather is more sensitive to caustic ingredients, so if you have an ink spot on white leather, use this cleaner. Make sure to test the cleaner in an inconspicuous area first.
DIY White Leather Cleaner Recipe
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the affected area, and let it sit for five minutes or so before wiping it off.
As with non-white leather, you should apply a professional or DIY leather conditioner to properly maintain the leather, and if you are cleaning leather furniture, make sure to follow the tips for cleaning a leather couch.
Use a Commercial Leather Cleaning Product
If your home remedies don’t work for removing acrylic paint from leather, commercial cleaners might be the way to go. They can cost a bit, but they are guaranteed to not damage your leather if used correctly.
As with home cleaning solutions, however, you should always test the product on a small area before trying them on the stain.
Commercial Cleaning Product Advantages
They are carefully tested and should be safe for cleaning leather.
They may work better on stubborn stains.
They usually require no mixing or measuring.
Melamine foam, also known as a Magic Eraser, is a significant first step toward stain removal. If the Magic Eraser doesn’t do the trick, try to remove pen from leather with liquid cleaners.
There are many excellent commercial leather products available, and many of them are valid on ink stains. Choose the best one for your needs, and you should always follow the included cleaning instructions.
Take It to a Dry Cleaner
If all else has failed you and you’re willing to pay to get your leather
purse or sofa back to pristine condition, you might consider a trip to the dry cleaners. Dry cleaners have a lot more tools and tricks to get Sharpie off of leather, and they have access to more powerful cleaning chemicals.
If you choose to take your leather to a dry cleaner, you should always do research and choose a reputable business. And, be sure to inform the cleaning staff of any special care instructions before entrusting them with your leather.
After you’ve cleaned out the stain, consider applying a leather protector to avoid future stains. It doesn’t require ballpoint ink to damage leather, after all—a single drop of water on unprotected leather can ruin it.
If you’re the victim of a broken ink pen and have been unfortunate enough to find yourself with a big black or blue ink stain spreading across your favorite leather item, we hope that you found this article on how to get pen ink out of leather to be helpful.
Whether you use a home cleaning solution or a professional, patience and persistence can get your leather goods clean, ink-free, and beautiful again.
Thanks very much for reading our tips on how to remove pen ink from leather. Please share these ink stain removal tips with your friends on Facebook and
The Hidden Meaning Behind the ‘WC’ Sign on Bathroom Doors
The Meaning Behind the ‘WC’ Sign: A Journey Through Bathroom Terminology
Have you ever noticed the letters WC outside a public restroom and wondered what they stand for? You’re not alone—people across the globe often puzzle over this cryptic abbreviation.
The Mystery of WC
Simply put, WC stands for water closet, a term historically used to describe a small room containing a toilet and sometimes a sink. While this might clarify the letters, it doesn’t exactly make the term feel more logical—similar to how “restroom,” “bathroom,” or “loo” can seem perplexing in their own right.
In 2020, a TikTok video featuring a couple named Shelby and Dylan hilariously highlighted the differences in bathroom terminology between Americans and Canadians. Walking past a sign reading washroom, Dylan quipped:
“What in the world is a washroom? And what are they washing in there? Oh, it’s a restroom. The only thing I wash in there is my hands.”
Shelby, off-camera, cheekily countered, “Do you rest in a restroom?”—to which Dylan admitted: “Good point. They both don’t make much sense.”
The video sparked a lively online debate about what to call the sacred space. Some commenters preferred “bathroom,” while others leaned toward “toilet,” “washroom,” or “restroom.”
One person humorously recounted a Disneyland visit where asking for the washroom led them to the laundromat. Another chimed in with, “Wait until he finds out about water closets.”
What Is a Water Closet?
According to Merriam-Webster, a water closet refers to “a compartment or room with a toilet” or “a toilet bowl and its accessories.”
Historically, the term reflects a time when specific rooms served distinct purposes. Bathrooms were for bathing, restrooms for resting or grooming, and the water closet for, well, using the toilet. As indoor plumbing became more common in the late 19th century, these spaces gradually merged into the modern bathroom we know today.
The water closet, however, often remained a separate, enclosed room in some homes and public spaces, particularly in Europe and international facilities. You’ll frequently spot the abbreviation WC in airports, hotels, or restaurants, catering to a globally diverse audience.
WC Across Cultures
Online forums like Reddit often dive into the quirks of global bathroom terminology. One post posed the question, Why is a public WC called a bathroom if there’s no bath?
A user responded:
“Americans might ask, ‘Why is it called a WC if it isn’t even a closet?’”
Others shared cultural takes:
- In Russian, it’s referred to as a room without windows, even if there’s a window.
- In Esperanto, it’s necesejo, meaning “necessary place.”
- Canadians frequently use washroom, which is also popular in parts of the U.S. Midwest.
Restroom vs. Bathroom vs. Washroom
The terminology debate continues, with many feeling washroom is the most logical since washing happens there. Meanwhile, terms like restroom or bathroom remain euphemisms.
One Redditor summed it up best:
“Best one, I think. You should be washing in there—not resting.”
What Do You Call It?
Whether you say WC, restroom, bathroom, toilet, or washroom, everyone has a favorite term. What’s yours? Share your thoughts, and don’t forget to spread this story to find out what others think!
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