How to get sharpie off leather?


Having permanent marker marks on leather is awful and disgusting as it looks so irritating. That is why removing permanent marker marks is important. If you are suffering from this condition and you don’t know what to do, then you are at the right place. We are going to give some methods to remove these marks, and according to your convenience, you can choose one of them.

One method will not work for everybody and every stain. Some stains are fresh and some are old, so the result will depend on some factors. Some of the given methods will work better on certain items as compared to others. If the first try doesn’t work, you can move toward other methods as we mention various methods here. You should use a good leather cleaner to clean the surface after getting off the sharpie to restore the leather and also apply a leather conditioner to prevent drying.

What is sharpie?

Sharpie is a brand of pens and markers. They have permanent markers and have the most recognizable names. A permanent marker is a type of marker that is used to make permanent or semi-permanent writing on an item. Sharpies are good because they are less toxic and they are permanent on various surfaces.

Removing Permanent markers from leather

Whether it is leather shoes or a favorite purse, no one is willing to have marks of permanent marker on them. But by adopting simple methods, you can remove the marks of sharpie or other permanent markers. A permanent marker is a must-have product, but if it creates a mess accidentally, it will look so disturbing, this makes the permanent markers risky. You have to treat the area as soon as possible and get off the sharpie from leather.

Let’s start with the methods and tips. Stay here and keep reading.

Method # 01. Use of a magic eraser.

A magic eraser is known as an effective cleaning tool that can also remove the stain of a permanent marker. If you moisten it slightly, it will work better. After moistening the eraser, moves it in a circular motion to clean the stain. Do not move harshly; it will damage the dye of the leather. If you want to prevent damage to the leather, you should apply a leather conditioner to the rubbed area.

  • Although using a magic eraser is one of the easiest ways, you may not have it. You can choose a method according to your preference and convenience.

Method # 02. Using sunscreen.

Most skin-conscious people have it in their makeup products, so it is easily available in most homes. Using your sunscreen is a different method to get rid of stains from sharpies on leather. Sunscreen has multiple benefits. It is good to protect your skin from harmful rays and it fades the stain of the marker. You need to apply sunscreen to the cotton swab. Gently rub the cotton on the stain. You can reapply sunscreen if required to remove the remaining stains. Do this method until the stain is fully removed, and then clean the surface with a clean cloth.

Method # 03. Using nail polish remover.

Nail polish is mostly available as women are fond of it. It is also very strong and harmful to leather, but if you want to go with it, it will be up to you. This will be better for the leather if the leather is light in color, such as white or cream. Apply the nail polish to the paper towel or cotton swab. Now rub the cotton or paper towel on a hidden part of the leather to check its adverse effects. If there are side effects, then do not use this method on it. If you don’t feel any bad effects, then you can proceed. Then rub on the stain gently. Once the stain is removed, clean the area with clean clothes and apply a leather conditioner to avoid drying. It is also useful for restoring leather.

  • Acetone-based nail polish remover is not advised for your black and brown-colored leather products because the chances of discoloration and damage will increase.

Method #04. Using distilled white vinegar.

Distilled white vinegar is a versatile improvement item that can work best to get rid of a stain of the marker from animal skin if the stain is recent. Fortunately, vinegar can also work on older stains of Sharpie and other permanent markers. You can use a clean cloth to dab the vinegar onto the marker marks. With the use of a clean towel, you need to gently rub on the stain till it is gone. The white vinegar can also be applied by spraying directly onto the stain, after which it can be blotted away with a soft cloth.

  • As always, you should apply a leather conditioner to help restore the leather.

Method # 05. Use a mixture of baking soda and toothpaste.

To remove permanent stains of Sharpie from leather items, you can use a mixture of baking soda and toothpaste. As baking soda helps to lift the stains of ink from the leather after loosening the ink’s grip on your leather items, Make a paste by taking an equal part of baking soda and toothpaste. Directly apply the mixture to the stain on your leather and allow it to sit on it for about two minutes. With the use of a damp cloth, rub the mixture gently and remove the stain. 

Method # 06. Using baby wipes or makeup remover wipes

To get Sharpie off, you can also use baby wipes or makeup remover wipes. They are an excellent method to get off the stains of permanent markers. Both of them are good to eliminate the marks, but you have to use them carefully to prevent the drying of your leather items. Gently rub until you get the final, positive results. This is a very easy way to clean the stain. No special guidelines are necessary for removing stains with a baby wipe or a makeup remover wipe, but the best tip to prevent damage after using wipes is the use of a leather conditioner. Apply leather conditioner to the mark to prevent it from drying out.

Method # 07. Using oil-free hairspray.

Oil-free hairspray can be used on leather-like sunscreen. You need to apply it to a cloth and rub it on the surface until the permanent marker has been removed. Hairspray works best if the permanent marker stain is fresh. An old ink stain is unlikely to get off easily.

How can you remove Sharpie from faux leather?

Permanent stains are also not good for faux leather. Faux leather looks like real leather. According to our research, we have found a solution for faux leather WD-40. It’s a powerful industrial cleaning solution that helps to lose the ink grip after applying it to the ink stain. It works great on permanent marker stains. WD-40 is not only effective but also an inexpensive solution compared to other solutions that cost more money and time. It is easy to apply, but you have to take it from the market. Moreover, this method is only applicable to faux leather, but you can also try it on real leather products.

  1. Firstly, grab the WD-40 bottle and spray on the stain. Let it sit on the ink stain and allow it to lose its grip on the ink.
  2. Use the paper towel to rub on the stain to remove all the ink stain. To get better results, you can repeat this process.

Tip.

  • You should do this method in a well-ventilated area because this spray has a strong chemical smell.

Tips and precautions

  1. Allow the surface to dry completely after completing your methods, then apply a leather conditioner.
  2. Whatever your method is, don’t forget to apply it to an inconspicuous area first.
  3. If the stain cannot be removed at home, you can consult a professional.
  4. We recommend using acetone or rubbing alcohol-based items in a well-ventilated area for the safety of your skin.
  5.  You should wear gloves while working with harmful solutions.
  6. Do not rub harshly on leather; that can harm the dye of the leather.
  7.  Move the cloth in a circular motion.

Final words

Ink stains look so awful and so unpleasant, and you want to remove them as soon as possible, but you don’t know how to do it. We have given different solutions to remove the permanent marker from your leather items (Real leather or faux leather). Most of the solutions are easily available in your house. We hope this will be helpful for you. You can use any of them. To get back the shine of your leather, you must apply a leather conditioner. Hopefully, after reading our post, you won’t face any problem removing Sharpie from leather. We did a lot of searching and effort. We hope you like it. Best wishes to you.

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