Everyone has them, everyone uses them, ballpoint pens. But what you really don't want is a ballpoint pen mark on your leather handbag.
Or the really cute pictures of the kids on the leather couch. They are really great to look at, but they just don't fit with the light leather sofa. The ballpoint pen marks aren't so noticeable on the dark leather seat, but they still spoil the overall picture.
Now the question is, how do you get these beautiful decorations out of the leather without damaging it?
TippEx is definitely not a solution, but you have to get rid of these ballpoint pen stains somehow.
Don't panic, we're here to give you advice. Of course you can use a special leather cleaner , but home remedies can also help with ballpoint pen stains on leather .
In this guide, you will learn which home remedies are helpful and what you should pay attention to when using them.
Why are ballpoint pen stains so difficult to remove?
Ballpoint pen ink is really stubborn when it comes to removing stains. But if you know what makes the ink so stubborn, you can better understand what is needed for cleaning.
Ballpoint pen ink is very different from fountain pen ink. The ink for fountain pens is liquid, dries quickly in the air and can be removed with an ink eraser. It consists of
- Water,
- Glycogen,
- alcohols,
- various other additives and
- dyes or pigments.
With ballpoint pen ink , things are a little different: it is thicker , dries in the air and can usually only be removed from paper with a correction roller.
The ink for the pen consists of
- ink paste,
- resins,
- Solvents and
- dyes.
Maybe you can already guess what makes the ballpoint ink so stubborn? It's precisely the resins.
Removing a pen from leather: What you need to pay attention to
Whether it's a grease stain , lipstick stain or ballpoint pen stain , all stains have one golden rule in common.
Do you know which one it is?
That's right, speed and no rubbing.
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React fast:
When it comes to ballpoint pen ink, it is especially important to act quickly , as the ink dries in the air and is absorbed into the leather.
Due to the solvents contained in the ink, the dye dries onto the surface.
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Test cleaning products on an inconspicuous area:
Regardless of whether you use a professional cleaner or a household remedy , you should test it on an inconspicuous area before using it to remove stains.
Removing ballpoint pen from leather: 5 popular home remedies
You now know how the ink of the ballpoint pen works, but you are still wondering “how do I get ballpoint pens out of my leather?”
OK, get to the leather, let's get started.
1. Vinegar as a household remedy for ballpoint pen stains
For smooth leather, vinegar essence is suitable for cleaning ballpoint pen stains.
As with all other household remedies and leather cleaners, it is important that you test them first on an inconspicuous area .
- Soak a cotton swab in water , then in vinegar essence and dab the stain carefully,
- Then wipe off the essence and dissolved color with a damp, clean cotton cloth.
- After cleaning, you can use a leather care cream for care
2. Remove leather pen with soapy water
Curd soap is generally a popular household remedy for all kinds of stains , and it can also be used on smooth leather .
- Make a mixture of curd soap and lukewarm distilled water . Add a few drops of curd soap. If you are using a solid bar of curd soap, simply grate off a few flakes and dissolve them.
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Take a clean cotton cloth and soak it in the solution, wring it out well and then try to remove the stain by dabbing. Please do not rub!
- Then clean the smooth leather with a damp cotton cloth and pamper it with leather care that is specifically designed for your smooth leather.
3. Eraser as an insider tip against ballpoint pens
Yes, we always say “don’t rub” and we mean it, but in this case you can use suede’s secret weapon.
There are special erasers for suede leather . If you don't have one available, use a standard, colorless eraser.
- Rub the ballpoint pen stain carefully, please do not rub too hard as this could damage the leather.
- To get the suede back into shape , you should brush it over a large area with a suede brush.
- You can then care for and protect the leather with a waterproofing spray .
4. Be careful, it’s sticky: hairspray with alcohol
This life hack is really ingenious, but be careful and test it in an inconspicuous place.
This type of cleaning is suitable for smooth leather, you will need a mild leather cleaner to finish the cleaning and cotton swabs.
Expert knowledge: Alternatively, you can also use the curd soap mixture that we described above.
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Moisten a cotton swab with water
- Spray a little hairspray into the lid of the can and pick up a little of it with the damp cotton swab .
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Gently dab the ballpoint pen stain
- Then clean the leather with a professional, mild cleaner for smooth leather or the curd soap mixture . It is important that the acetone contained in the hairspray is completely wiped off.
- Then you should definitely pamper the leather with leather care products .
5. Washing alcohol
This magic product is suitable for both rough and smooth leather , but please test it on an inconspicuous area, especially when it comes to dyed leather.
- Put a little rubbing alcohol in the lid or a small cup, you don't need much.
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Moisten a cotton swab and dip it in the washing alcohol
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Gently dab the stain
- You should then wipe the leather with a damp cloth and bring your suede back into shape with a suede brush .
- Then pamper your leather with a special leather care product suitable for your leather.
Conclusion
Ballpoint pen stains on leather can be stubborn , but with the right tips and home remedies, they can be removed effectively. Acting quickly is crucial, as the ink dries quickly and soaks into the leather. Vinegar essence, soapy water, erasers (for suede), hairspray with alcohol and washing alcohol are effective home remedies that can help remove stains.
However, it is important to test the cleaning products on an inconspicuous area first to avoid damaging the leather. After cleaning, the leather should be cared for with appropriate leather care to preserve its beauty and durability .
With these tips , you can effectively remove ballpoint pen stains from your beloved leather and make the marks invisible.
FAQ
Why are ballpoint pen stains on leather so difficult to remove?
The ink of ballpoint pens is characterized by its thickness and the resins it contains, which make it particularly stubborn. In contrast to the more fluid fountain pen ink, ballpoint pen ink only dries in the air and contains solvents that bind the dye to the leather surface. This makes removal challenging.
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