How to Remove Pen Marks on a Sofa

Fabric-Covered Couches

• 1

  Mix a solution of 1 part mild liquid detergent to 9 parts warm water. The liquid detergent must not contain soap or bleach.

• 2

  Work from the outside of the stain toward the middle to avoid spreading it. Scrub the pen marks gently with a medium-bristle toothbrush moistened with the detergent solution.

• 3

  Rinse the scrubbed area with a clean cloth thoroughly dampened with clean, warm water. Remove all visible traces of the soap residue.

• 4

  Test the couch fabric by feeling it with your fingertips to check that it is completely dried before using it.

Leather-Covered Couches

• 5

  Dip a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol, shake off the excess, and then use the swab to gently scrub the pen mark.

• 6

  Repeat the scrubbing procedure with an alcohol-coated swab if the ink mark is still present.

• 7

  Make a solution of 1 part mild detergent mixed with 9 parts lukewarm water, and use a clean cloth to gently scrub the stained area.

• 8

  Dampen a cloth with clean, warm water, and use it to rinse the affected area. Do not apply more water than necessary. Leather absorbs water, which is detrimental to leather.

• 9

  Polish the leather with a clean, soft cloth until it is dry to the touch. If too much water is inadvertently applied to the leather, use a hair dryer set on low to further dry the leather.