How To Clean Marks Off Leather

Cleaning Pen Marks off Leather

Updated on July 21, 2009

N.M. asks from San Jose, CA on July 20, 2009

10 answers

I feel like this is a long shot, but maybe someone can help...

A little boy at church yesterday scribbled with pen on the cover of my husband's leather-bound bible. Does anyone know how I can get the marks off?
Thanks for any help!

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J.E.

answers from Bakersfield on July 21, 2009

haven't tried it yet but it seems to get everything else clean including leather shoes!?!? But you might want to try the magic eraser, i swear by it it even takes crayon off the wall!

D.D.

answers from San Francisco on July 20, 2009

cheap hairspray followed by some good leather conditioner

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T.D.

answers from San Francisco on July 21, 2009

Maybe try one of those Mr Clean Magic Erasers. They surprising get pen marks off of lot of things. Good Luck!

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J.E.

answers from San Francisco on July 21, 2009

No problem!!! The company I represent makes a product that literally wipes away permanent markers as if it were watercolors. I personally have removed Sharpie marker from linoleum, hardwood floor, and other surfaces. I don't see why it wouldn't work on leather. Contact me and I can share more about this and the other environmentally friendly products I represent for this company.

C.C.

answers from Fresno on July 21, 2009

I have used baby wipes to clean our leather couch. The trick is to get to the ink as soon as possible. Good luck!

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H.D.

answers from San Francisco on July 20, 2009

Ouch...I think I would call a leather shop, see what they recommend.

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D.R.

answers from Bakersfield on July 21, 2009

Suggestion call the bible store. Ask them. I'm sure they have been asked that question.

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A.T.

answers from Stockton on July 21, 2009

The mildest thing you can try is baby oil or vaseline on a Q-tip - trace over the ink lines with light pressure and swap to a clean Q-tip when the ink starts to soak into the cotton.
DO NOT USE HAIRSPRAY, 409 cleaner, or bleach!
You can also try rubbing alcohol - BUT it may take some of the color out of the leather - so test it in a hidden spot first. ( use the q-tip or cotton ball technique)
You'll have better luck if it was a ball point pen and not a marker.
I sold leather sofas for 10+ years and had to remove a lot of crazy stains from the floor models ;)

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J.C.

answers from San Francisco on July 20, 2009

Is it ball-point pen? If so, I would also suggest hair spray. But I'm also concerned about what the hairspray may do to the leather.

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P.W.

answers from San Francisco on July 21, 2009

Be careful what you use, maybe try something first on an inconspicuous place, if there is one, because a bleached-out spot on the leather will look worse than a pen mark.

I've learned to let things have a little "patina" sometimes -- the visible signs of life and use on an object can make it look more interesting.