How to Remove Pen Stains From a Sofa?

Pens are handy, but they can be a disaster for the sofas and other furniture pieces if in the wrong hands. If you have toddlers, then there can be some happenings, such as children dropping ink from a pen on your luxury couch.

Pen stains on your sofa can be a real pain, but you can remove the stains if you know the proper methods. For more cleaning tips, go through this blog post by arabicmajlisdubai.com

Things To Consider Before Cleaning Pen Stains From a Sofa

Before you get started to remove the pen stains from your sofa, you should know the cleaning code of your sofa upholstery. 

Here are the meanings of those cleaning codes:  

• “W” means the upholstery can be treated with water-based cleaning solutions, including dilute cleaners, shampoo, and gentle soap.
• “S” means the stain can’t be treated with water-based solutions. Instead, you can use solvent-based cleaners such as acetone, isopropyl alcohol, etc. 
• “S-W ”means the stain on the upholstery can be removed by using both water-based and solvent-based cleaning solutions.  
• “X” means that the stains from your sofa can only be removed with a vacuum.  For deep cleaning, you will have to visit a dry cleaner.

5 Best Methods to Remove Pen Stains From Your Sofa:

Here are 5 effective methods to remove the pen stains from your sofa:

1. Hairspray Method

Hairspray is commonly available in almost every house. It is not only used to smooth your hair, but it can also be used to remove the pen stain from your sofa. Here we will guide you on how you can use hairspray to remove the pen stain.

First of all, sprinkle the hairspray on the pen stain on your sofa.  Then,  you have to wait for 30 seconds so that the ink can come out on the surface of the couch. Blot it with a clean and dry microfiber cloth. If the stain remains, then repeat the process. 

2. Rubbing Alcohol Method

The next method is to use rubbing alcohol on the stains. The few materials needed for this cleaning hack include rubbing alcohol, a clean cloth, and water. First of all, take a clean cloth or paper towel and blot the ink stain with it. 

Then, you have to apply rubbing alcohol on that clean cloth or paper towel and blot the ink stain. Blot the stains until they are gone. If this method is not working, you can try another cleaning method mentioned. 

3. The White Vinegar Method 

White vinegar is available in every household. The very first step is to mix one part of dishwashing detergent or any washing liquid and two parts of white vinegar in water to make a solution. After mixing all the ingredients, you need a clean cloth. 

Then, dip the clean cloth into the solution you prepared and blot the stain with it. You should not stop the blotting process until the stain becomes invisible, and then simply clean the affected area with the wet cloth. 

4. Dishwashing Detergent Method 

Dishwashing detergent is not only used to clean your dishes; here, we will guide you on how you can use it to remove the pen stain from your sofa. Take one tablespoon of dishwashing detergent, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of warm water. Mix all the ingredients to make a homogeneous solution. 

When you have prepared the solution, take a cloth and dip it into the solution.  Gently rub the stains in a circular motion, followed by blotting. While following this procedure, make sure that the prepared mixture is not so harsh that it can discolor the upholstery. 

5. Nail Polish Remover Method

 If the above methods are not working and the stain is still visible, you don’t need to worry; you can try a nail polish remover method to remove the pen stain from your sofa. Take a small cotton pad and apply nail polish remover over it. Now, gently tap it over the stains and start blotting. This method is effective even on dried and stubborn stains.  

Tips For Removing Different Types Of Ink Stains

The stain on your sofa can be from a ballpoint, marker, or fountain pen. Here are the tips for selecting cleaning methods based on the type of ink stain.

• Ballpoint  Ink: If the ink stain is fresh, you can get marks off by simply blotting it with a clean cloth. If the stain is older, you can use any home-based cleaner to remove the stain. 
• Marker Ink:  The stain of marker ink is difficult to remove, but it is not impossible. There are some methods that you can use to remove the marker ink stain, such as the rubbing alcohol method, the white vinegar method, etc. If these methods are not working and the stain is visible, you have to try a commercial stain remover or change the sofa cover.
• Fountain Pen Ink: The stain of fountain pen ink is most challenging to remove. If it gets older, you should use a commercial stain remover.

Additional Tips For Removing Pen Stains Accurately 

Here are some additional tips that will help you get marks off from your sofa:

• Before applying any kind of stain remover, you should first try a stain remover on the hidden area of your sofa, as it will protect the couch’s fabric from damage.
• Before using any commercial stain remover, you should read all the instructions on the product label.
• You should not over-blot the stain with clean water; this may spread the stain, and it could be challenging to remove.

Conclusion

You can remove the pen stains from your sofa by using any of the methods as mentioned above. You have to act quickly and use the cleaning solution wisely according to the cleaning code of your sofa upholstery. After reading this article, we hope you have an idea of how to remove pen stains from a sofa. Good luck with your sofa cleaning journey!