Ink stains

jlp · Jun 25th, 2008, 02:11 PM

Can one of you ladies tell me the process of cleaning the ink stains out of the suede like lining. I have heard you can use hair spray but I am not sure how it is done.

KoobaMe · Jun 25th, 2008, 03:02 PM

I've done it a zillion times with hairspray. I typically spritz it lightly and rub with my fingers until it disappears. Depending on how much I've used (if the stains are big or numerous) I may spritz lightly with water after to remove any hairspray residue, which can leave a stiff feeling to the ultrasuede if too much is used. I then blow dry the lining and let it air out a bit.

You wouldn't believe some of the bags I've cleaned. I've actually taken before and after shots!

whitemamacita · Jun 25th, 2008, 05:53 PM

Can you use this technique on regular leather bags for ink marks also, or does it only work on the suede. I have a couple tiny ones on my pink callie and my marcelle has one and I tried the white tip eraser thing and that didn't do anything to them at all. Thanks.

KoobaMe · Jun 25th, 2008, 07:04 PM

^^ I've only done this on the Kooba ultrasuede interior lining, which is a fabric. I wouldn't dare attempt in on a leather or suede exterior. Maybe one of the other ladies has some words of wisdom to that effect.

jchiara · Jun 25th, 2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlp

Can one of you ladies tell me the process of cleaning the ink stains out of the suede like lining. I have heard you can use hair spray but I am not sure how it is done.

I know our sweet Lexie is the pro on hairspray and ink stains....PM her maybe if she doesn't see this thread?

Lexie2000 · Jun 26th, 2008, 12:20 AM

I work in a hospital where ink stains on scrub pockets are common occurances. HairSpray is a Miracle. But NOT on leather.
I pulled the lining out of a Lucy bag that had a fair amount of ink stains. Spray it throughly with hairspray (I used Paul Mitchell's...LOL). Let it sit for a moment. Then take a mild detergent on a wet toothbrush and start working on the spot. The Ink will disappear. I then rinsed the lining under running water (be careful not to get the bag wet). You might want to do the process again if needed. Then use a towel to blot it dry and finish it up with a blowdryer. If you don't rinse out the hairspray well enough the suede lining will feel stiff. I showed before and after pics here before but I don't know if all of the old pics remain once they re-did the search button.

Oh, here's the link and the pictures are there.
Ink in Lucy Bag....Gone

jlp · Jun 26th, 2008, 01:43 AM

Thats great. Thanks Lexie.

I used to work as a medical lab tech. before children. Never learned the hairspray trick but I had quite a few for blood, LOL.

anilumagloire · Jun 26th, 2008, 09:13 AM

Great tips, ladies!!! Thanks :)

leatherpro · Jun 26th, 2008, 01:23 PM

There is so much misinformation on the internet particulalry about leather and its care and repair and ink removal seems to attract some very bad (even potentially damaging) sugestions.

Generally speaking most household products have not been tested on leather and should not be used as they can do damage.

For further advice:

Ink is not a straight forward cleaning problem. The ink has redyed the leather so needs careful removal.

If the ink is on a pigmented leather then the first thing you should try is an ink stick (find one that is a professional product used in the industry). The fresher the ink the more chance you have of removing it. If this does not remove the ink then stronger products will need to be used and this is best left to a qualified technician as recolouring may be necessary.
If the ink is on an aniline style leather then the ink has redyed the leather and this would definitely need professional attention from a qualified technican.

Using hairspray/WD40 and all these other solvent cleaners is very risky as it can make the matter far worse as it can spread the ink over a bigger area and can sometimes then be impossible to fix.

Using alcohol, perfume, etc. can also be risky depending on how stable the finish is. If the finish is unstable this would remove pigment form the leather.

Nail varnish remover or any other solvents will also remove the finish and pigment which will need replacing.

DO NOT USE Baby wipes as they are about the worst thing you can use on a leather as they break down the finish and will eventually ruin it.

Please do not try milk or toothpaste these are silly ideas that will leave sticky residues on the surface which will help to break down the finish on your leather.

MAGIC ERASERS should not be used to clean leather in any circumstances (we have just tested these) and they will remove finish and pigment along with the ink. We have just tested these and they really do a lot of damage on leather. They act like a fine sandpaper and remove the finish.

Old ink will be harder to remove than new ink and may mean resorting to solvents which will also remove the finish. This is probably best left to the experts.

Silicones/furniture polish are the worst thing to use on leather as they will form a coating on the surface of the leather which will not allow any moisture to get to the leather and will eventually break all the finish down and make it crack.

Leather does not need conditioning it needs cleaning and protecting on a regular basis with water based products this will keep it rehydrated and supple. Oils will make things much worse.

Leather should be cleaned gently not scrubbed so 'elbow grease' will only do damage to the finish.

Hide food will not remove ink and will leave residues on the leather which will attract dirt and oils.

Using a good quality leather protector (one that works) will help make this problem easier should it happen again, it also does your leather good by protecting it against oils and dirt which ultimately make the pigment crack and the leather deteriorate.

Good Luck

Source(s):

http://www.LTTsolutions.net
Leather care consultants to the furniture and cleaning industries
Professional knowledge
Training school for leather techniciansl

Jun 25th, 2008, 02:11 PM	#1
jlp goob	Ink stains Can one of you ladies tell me the process of cleaning the ink stains out of the suede like lining. I have heard you can use hair spray but I am not sure how it is done. __________________

Jun 26th, 2008, 12:20 AM	#6
Lexie2000 Former Kooba Queen Location: Wild Wonderful West Virginia	I work in a hospital where ink stains on scrub pockets are common occurances. HairSpray is a Miracle. But NOT on leather. I pulled the lining out of a Lucy bag that had a fair amount of ink stains. Spray it throughly with hairspray (I used Paul Mitchell's...LOL). Let it sit for a moment. Then take a mild detergent on a wet toothbrush and start working on the spot. The Ink will disappear. I then rinsed the lining under running water (be careful not to get the bag wet). You might want to do the process again if needed. Then use a towel to blot it dry and finish it up with a blowdryer. If you don't rinse out the hairspray well enough the suede lining will feel stiff. I showed before and after pics here before but I don't know if all of the old pics remain once they re-did the search button. Oh, here's the link and the pictures are there. Ink in Lucy Bag....Gone __________________

Jun 26th, 2008, 01:43 AM	#7
jlp goob	Thats great. Thanks Lexie. I used to work as a medical lab tech. before children. Never learned the hairspray trick but I had quite a few for blood, LOL. __________________

Jun 26th, 2008, 09:13 AM	#8
anilumagloire Member Location: Miami, FL	Great tips, ladies!!! Thanks :) __________________ Anilu {NO SHRINKING VIOLET} *My Collection* Need... * Light gray Matinee Pleeeeeeeeeeease!!!!!!!!!!

Jun 26th, 2008, 01:23 PM	#9
leatherpro Member	There is so much misinformation on the internet particulalry about leather and its care and repair and ink removal seems to attract some very bad (even potentially damaging) sugestions. Generally speaking most household products have not been tested on leather and should not be used as they can do damage. For further advice: Ink is not a straight forward cleaning problem. The ink has redyed the leather so needs careful removal. If the ink is on a pigmented leather then the first thing you should try is an ink stick (find one that is a professional product used in the industry). The fresher the ink the more chance you have of removing it. If this does not remove the ink then stronger products will need to be used and this is best left to a qualified technician as recolouring may be necessary. If the ink is on an aniline style leather then the ink has redyed the leather and this would definitely need professional attention from a qualified technican. Using hairspray/WD40 and all these other solvent cleaners is very risky as it can make the matter far worse as it can spread the ink over a bigger area and can sometimes then be impossible to fix. Using alcohol, perfume, etc. can also be risky depending on how stable the finish is. If the finish is unstable this would remove pigment form the leather. Nail varnish remover or any other solvents will also remove the finish and pigment which will need replacing. DO NOT USE Baby wipes as they are about the worst thing you can use on a leather as they break down the finish and will eventually ruin it. Please do not try milk or toothpaste these are silly ideas that will leave sticky residues on the surface which will help to break down the finish on your leather. MAGIC ERASERS should not be used to clean leather in any circumstances (we have just tested these) and they will remove finish and pigment along with the ink. We have just tested these and they really do a lot of damage on leather. They act like a fine sandpaper and remove the finish. Old ink will be harder to remove than new ink and may mean resorting to solvents which will also remove the finish. This is probably best left to the experts. Silicones/furniture polish are the worst thing to use on leather as they will form a coating on the surface of the leather which will not allow any moisture to get to the leather and will eventually break all the finish down and make it crack. Leather does not need conditioning it needs cleaning and protecting on a regular basis with water based products this will keep it rehydrated and supple. Oils will make things much worse. Leather should be cleaned gently not scrubbed so 'elbow grease' will only do damage to the finish. Hide food will not remove ink and will leave residues on the leather which will attract dirt and oils. Using a good quality leather protector (one that works) will help make this problem easier should it happen again, it also does your leather good by protecting it against oils and dirt which ultimately make the pigment crack and the leather deteriorate. Good Luck Source(s): http://www.LTTsolutions.net Leather care consultants to the furniture and cleaning industries Professional knowledge Training school for leather techniciansl __________________ Leather care consultant IICRC (LCT)

Jun 25th, 2008, 03:02 PM	#2
KoobaMe Hardware Junkie ♥ Location: SoCal	I've done it a zillion times with hairspray. I typically spritz it lightly and rub with my fingers until it disappears. Depending on how much I've used (if the stains are big or numerous) I may spritz lightly with water after to remove any hairspray residue, which can leave a stiff feeling to the ultrasuede if too much is used. I then blow dry the lining and let it air out a bit. You wouldn't believe some of the bags I've cleaned. I've actually taken before and after shots!

Jun 25th, 2008, 05:53 PM	#3
whitemamacita Member	Can you use this technique on regular leather bags for ink marks also, or does it only work on the suede. I have a couple tiny ones on my pink callie and my marcelle has one and I tried the white tip eraser thing and that didn't do anything to them at all. Thanks.

Jun 25th, 2008, 07:04 PM	#4
KoobaMe Hardware Junkie ♥ Location: SoCal	^^ I've only done this on the Kooba ultrasuede interior lining, which is a fabric. I wouldn't dare attempt in on a leather or suede exterior. Maybe one of the other ladies has some words of wisdom to that effect.