If you're a fan of microsuede upholstery, then ink stains are likely not an unfamiliar sight. Whether it's from a leaky pen or just some misguided doodling, these pesky marks can quickly ruin the look of your furniture. But before you consider tossing out that sofa or chair altogether, there are some easy and effective ways to tackle those stubborn ink stains. Read on for our top tips!
Assess the Damage
Before diving into any specific cleaning strategies, it's important to assess the extent of the ink stain(s) in question. Is it a small spot or has the stain spread across larger areas? How long ago did the staining occur? Different types of ink require different approaches – if possible, try and identify what kind of pen caused the mess (ballpoint, gel roller etc.), as this will impact which method works best.
Option 1: Soap and Water
Believe it or not, sometimes plain old soap and water can do wonders for removing microsuede stains! This is especially true for newer spots where the ink hasn't had time to fully set in yet. Here's how:
What You'll Need - Mild dishwashing soap - Warm water - Clean sponge/cloth - Dry towel
Steps 1. In a bowl or bucket mix together warm water with around one teaspoon mild dishwashing soap until soapy suds form. 2. Wet your cloth/sponge in this mixture and wring out well. 3. Rub gently onto stained areas, working from outside inwards towards center (this helps avoid spreading). 4. Blot with clean dry towel to remove excess moisture. 5 Let area dry completely before assessing results.
Depending on how fresh/old/large/darkthe stain is ,you may need A STRONGER SOLUTION .REFER TO NEXT SECTION .
Option 2: Rubbing Alcohol
For slightly more stubborn ink stains, rubbing alcohol is a great tool to have in your cleaning arsenal. This method works well for both gel and ballpoint pen ink.
What You'll Need - High percentage isopropyl rubbing alcohol (ideally 90% or higher) - Clean sponge/cloth - Dry towel
Steps 1. Dampen cloth/sponge with rubbing alcohol. 2. Blot stained area with this solution, being careful not to scrub too hard as this can damage the material. 3. Check progress regularly and reapply as needed. 4. Once stain has been lifted, blot with clean dry towel to remove excess moisture. 5 Let area dry completely before assessing results.
Option 3: Glycerin
Glycerin may not be a household name when it comes to microsuede cleaning solutions –but it's really helpful! This option can help break down set-in stains that didn't respond well to previous remedies.
What You'll Need - Glycerin (can be found in many pharmacies/health food stores) - Warm Water - Clean sponge/cloth
Steps 1. Mix equal parts warm water and glycerin together in bowl/bucket. 2 Soak cloth/sponge in mixture ,making sure there are no drips . blotting cloth on other surface so that just enough liquid covers the surface of th fabric you want cleaned.. 3 Starting at edge of stain rub gently over entire discolored/tinted patch- for larger areas work only little by little instead attempting whole thing al once.. 4.Again,blot up any remaining solution using absorbent disposable towels .. 5.Let area air-dry .
Tips & Tricks:
And if all else fails? There are still some tried-and-tested methods you can try out :
Tip #1:Lemon Juice Hack
Mix equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar until it forms a slurry. Apply to the stained area for 30 minutes then remove remaining paste with clean towel.
Tip #2: Acetone as a Last Resort
Acetone is not recommended because it can cause dye in microsuede fabric to migrate .However,if you're absolutely desperate ,use acetone or nail polish remover (with at least 98% acetone concentration). Be sure to do so sparingly, rub gently onto affected areas .
Tip #3: Avoid Water Rings
Dampen whole srea instead of just th spot with small amounts of distilled water when attempting removal process.Always test out any new cleaning method on an inconspicuous area before diving in headfirst!
In Conclusion:
There's no need to live with unsightly ink stains on your beloved microsuede furniture. By trying out these simple steps and being persistent,you will be able to restore your upholstery back into pristine condition-while also becoming a cleaning pro .Minus the cape(and tights)!