How to Get Sharpie off Leather Clothes, Upholstery & Furniture

Leather is a luxurious, timeless, and durable material with a touch of elegance. It is prized for its use in clothing, upholstery, and furniture, as it offers a unique blend of comfort and sophistication and ages beautifully with proper care and maintenance. 

How To Get Sharpie Off Leather

However, discovering Sharpie marker stains on leather can be disheartening and annoying. Sharpies' waterproof and fade-resistance qualities are often the biggest challenge when it comes to removing sharpie stains from leather.

Either way, successfully removing the sharpie stains is entirely possible, so fret not! All you need is to deploy the right cleaning technique and use an expert stain remover, such as Vanish

This article provides step-by-step instructions about how to get sharpie off leather clothes, upholstery, and furniture and restore them to immaculate condition


Sharpie Stain Removal from Leather Clothes

Before treating sharpie stains on leather clothes such as jackets, pants, skirts, etc., it is crucial to blot—not rub—any excess sharpie ink to prevent it from setting deep into the leather’s fiber.

After that, check the care label first and make sure they are specifically labeled as washable before continuing with the stain removal process. 

For colored leather clothes, use Vanish Oxi Action Powder, which utilizes the Oxi Advance formula to remove sharpie stains, neutralize odors, eliminate germs, and brighten colors.

Additionally, use Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White Powder for white-colored leather clothes. It penetrates and eliminates sharpie stains, prevents further discoloration, and retains a brilliant whiteness in your clothes, even after 50 washes.

 

There are three methods for utilizing Vanish products to eliminate stains: Pre-treat, Soaking, and adding directly to the Wash. 

Although pre-treatment and soaking are typically reserved for tough stains, the in-wash method is the simplest and can be combined with pre-treat or soaking.


INSTRUCTIONS

Option 1: Pre Treat

  1. Add ¼ scoop (15g) of Vanish Oxi Action Powder in the water (MAX 40°C)

  2. Stir for 30 seconds.

  3. Apply the mixture directly onto the stain, rub it gently, and let it sit for 10 mins (do not allow Vanish to dry on the fabric. 

  4. Wash as usual. 

Option 2: Soak

  1. Add 1 scoop (60g) of Vanish Oxi Action Powder in 4L of water.

  2. Stir for 30 seconds.

  3. Soak colored clothes in the solution for 1h max, and for whites, it's 4h max.

  4. Wash as usual. 

Option 3: Wash

Add Vanish Oxi Action Powder to your machine on top of your laundry detergent. Below are the recommended stain remover dosages:

• ½  scoop (30g) for normal stains.

• 1 scoop (60g) for tough & dried stains


Sharpie Stain Removal from Leather Upholstery and Furniture

Blot up as much of the sharpie ink as possible with paper towels or microfiber cloth before following the sharpie stain removal instructions below:


Stain Removal Shampoo

  1. Mix 1 part Vanish 3 in 1 Carpet & Upholstery Shampoo with 9 parts water (max temperature 40˚).

  2. Whisk the solution into a foam. 

  3. Apply the foam on the stained area using a brush or sponge. 

  4. Sponge the stain with the stain remover foam solution. 

  5. Blot the stain every 5 minutes with a clean area of the cloth (or a new cloth) and some more cleaning solution.

  6. Use a clean cloth to blot the area dry, and allow it to dry completely for one day.


FAQs

How to get better at getting sharpie off leather clothes and furniture?

Here are some tips to get better at removing sharpie off leather clothes and furniture:  

  • Patience: Avoid rushing the process. It may take multiple tries to remove sharpie stains entirely.

  • Gentle touch: Treat the leather delicately. Do not rub or scrub to avoid spreading stains. 

  • Regular maintenance: Frequently clean and condition leather items to prevent future stains and maintain their luster. 

Does sharpie stay on leather? 

Due to its waterproof and fade-resistance properties, sharpie ink stains can be challenging to remove from leather clothes, upholstery, and furniture. However, with the appropriate cleaning techniques and an expert stain remover, such as Vanish, it is possible to remove these stains effectively. 

Will removing the sharpie from the leather cause any discoloration or damage?


If done carefully and with a reliable stain solver such as Vanish, removing sharpie should not cause discoloration or damage to the leather. However, always test any cleaning method or solution on a small, inconspicuous area first.