How To Remove Ink From Suede

Knowing how to remove ink form suede can be a moderately difficult task. When you find yourself with an unsightly ink stain on your favorite piece of suede don't get mad... get cleaning! The following steps should help you remove it yourself and save you money at the same time. You always have the option of calling a professional cleaner, but these easy how to do-it-yourself steps may solve your ink stained suede problem and keep your  money in your pocket. 

To remove ink from suede you will need:

• a clean dry cloth (white works best)
• pencil eraser (make sure it is clean)
• cotton swab (two or three)
• rubbing alcohol
• sandpaper (A small square about two inches by two inches. Use a fine grain of sandpaper. A grain 120 to 200 should work the best.) Warning! Using sandpaper with too coarse of grain will leave a worn spot in the suede. Remember, the lower the number of the grain, the coarser the sandpaper is.
• household hair dryer
• standard suede brush

1. If the stain is still wet, blot (do not rub) with a clean dry cloth. If it doesn't completely remove it proceed to step two.
2. Use the sandpaper. Gently rub sandpaper over the ink stain in a circular motion (make sure you check the grain of the sandpaper as too rough of a grain will cause a worn spot ). If the ink stain persists move on to step three.
3. Begin this removal step by taking a clean pencil eraser and gently rubbing it over the remaining ink spot. If any ink still remains you need to move on to step four. (Always make sure the eraser is clean or you will be creating another spot from the pencil that the eraser had on it).
4. Using a cotton swab very sparingly apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to the ink spot on the suede in a circular motion. This step should draw out the remaining ink. If you need to reapply more alcohol use a clean swab. Blot the area with a clean dry cloth. (A white cotton cloth works the best.) Once it as all blotted up dry the area with a regular blow dryer on the low heat setting.
5. If you have removed the stain to your satisfaction use a suede brush to blend the nap back into place to match the surrounding suede.

If upon completing all of the above steps and ink stain is still evident on your suede you should call a professional cleaner.