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How to Get Ink off a Velvet Sofa

Lili Hu 2025-09-29

Welcome, friend! Having a beautiful velvet sofa, like one from Atunus Home, makes your room feel cozy and fancy all at once. Velvet furniture perfectly mixes comfort and a great look.

But what happens when a pen slips or a little artist decides your comfy velvet sofa is a new coloring book? Seeing an ink stain on your delicate velvet couch can make your heart sink. Ink stains can be stubborn and hard to hide.

The good news is you do not need to panic! You can tackle these tricky ink spots and keep your velvet sofa looking spotless and lovely. Because velvet is a very sensitive and delicate fabric, cleaning it needs special care. The most important rule for cleaning velvet is to act fast and be gentle.

This friendly guide will walk you through the very best and easiest ways to remove ink stains from your Atunus Home velvet sofa. We will use simple things you might already have at home!

Table of Contents

Check Your Sofa Tag First (It’s Important!)

Before you start cleaning your beautiful velvet sofa, you must look for the cleaning tag. This tag is often found underneath the cushions or tucked near the armrest. The tag has a special letter that tells you the safest way to clean your fabric.

What the Sofa Tag Means (Cleaning Codes)

These cleaning codes are like secret messages from the sofa makers to keep your velvet sofa safe.

W: This letter means you can use cleaning things that are mostly water. You can use things like gentle soap or washing-up liquid mixed with water.
S: This letter means you should not use water. If your sofa has an “S” code, you need to clean it using water-free helpers, which are called solvents. Good solvents include things like rubbing alcohol.
S-W: This is the easiest one! It means you can use either water-based cleaners or solvent cleaners.
X: This letter is tricky! It means you should only use a vacuum cleaner. For deep cleaning a sofa with an "X" tag, you may need to ask a professional cleaner for help.

Always Test Your Cleaning Stuff

Velvet is a delicate fabric, and some types of velvet might change color or get damaged when they touch alcohol or other liquids.

Find a Hidden Spot: Before you try any cleaning method on the ink spot, find a small, hidden area on your velvet sofa to test your cleaning solution. Maybe try the back or underneath a cushion.
Dab Gently: Apply a tiny bit of the cleaner to that hidden spot and wait a minute.
Check for Trouble: If the color stays the same and the fabric looks fine, you can safely use the cleaner on the ink stain. If the velvet changes color, stop right away and ask an upholstery cleaning specialist for help.

The Best Way to Fight Ink: Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol (it's also called isopropyl alcohol) is a superhero for getting ballpoint pen ink out of fabric. It is highly effective because it breaks down the oil in the ink, making it easier to lift away. In one cleaning test, 70% isopropyl alcohol worked way better than other types of alcohol for cleaning stains.

Gather Your Tools (Alcohol and Rags/Cotton Balls)

You will need just a few simple things:

Rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol works great).
Clean white cloths, paper towels, or cotton balls. (Use white cloths so you don't accidentally transfer color to your sofa).
Clean water for rinsing.

Gentle Dabbing is Key

When you are working with velvet, you must be very gentle and only dab or blot. Never rub the stain! Rubbing will only spread the ink stain or push it deeper into the delicate velvet fibers, which can make things much worse.

Here is how to use rubbing alcohol:

Blot First (If Fresh): If the ink stain is wet, immediately grab a clean cloth or paper towel. Gently blot the stain to soak up as much extra ink as you can. If the stain is from a ballpoint pen or is already dry, you can skip this blotting step.
Dampen Your Tool: Put rubbing alcohol onto a clean white cloth or cotton ball. Important: Do not pour the alcohol right onto the velvet, as this will soak the fabric too much.
Start Dabbing: Gently dab the stained spot. Start dabbing from the outside edge of the stain and move slowly toward the center. This stops the ink from spreading.
Keep Swapping: As the cloth soaks up the ink, switch to a fresh, clean part of the cloth or a new cotton ball. Keep doing this until the cloth no longer picks up any ink.
Rinse and Dry: Dip a fresh cloth in clean water and gently wipe the area to wash away the alcohol and any dirt. Finally, dry the spot thoroughly with a clean, dry towel. You can also let your velvet sofa air dry completely.
Fix the Naps: Once everything is dry, use a soft bristle brush to gently brush the velvet. This will help the little fibers (called "naps") stand up again and bring back the sofa's smooth look.

Quick Fixes for Pen Marks (Alcohol Helpers)

Since alcohol is so good at dissolving ink, other products that contain alcohol can also work as quick solutions.

The Hairspray Magic

Believe it or not, ordinary hairspray can be a fantastic way to clean up ink stains. This hack works because hairspray has a lot of alcohol in it.

Choose the Right Spray: Use an alcohol-based hairspray for the best results.
Spray the Ink: Lightly spray the hairspray directly onto the dried ink stain.
Wait: Wait for 30 seconds to a minute while the hairspray works its magic on the ink.
Wipe Gently: Use a damp cloth to wipe or blot the ink away. This technique has been praised by many people who were surprised by how quickly the stain disappeared. You can repeat this process if the stain is still there.

Hand Sanitizer Can Help Too

Because hand sanitizer also has alcohol in it, it can work in a pinch for removing pen marks.

Test and Apply: Just like rubbing alcohol, test it first! Then, apply a small amount of hand sanitizer to a clean cloth or cotton pad.
Dab Away: Gently dab the stained area of your velvet sofa to lift the ink. Do not rub, or you might spread the stain.

Tried and True: The Vinegar and Soap Mix

If you prefer a gentler, homemade cleaner that doesn't rely completely on strong solvents, a mix of mild soap and white vinegar is a great option for fabric sofas. This solution is safe and helps break up many kinds of stains.

Mixing Up Your Gentle Cleaner

You will need to mix these items together:

1 tablespoon of washing-up liquid (or mild clear dish soap).
2 teaspoons of white vinegar.
1 cup of water (or 250ml of water).

How to Rinse Away the Soap

Apply the Mix: Use a clean cloth dampened with this mixture to gently apply it to the ink stain.
Let it Rest: Let the solution sit on the spot for about ten minutes. For tougher dried stains, you might soak the fabric for up to thirty minutes in a similar solution (1/2 tsp dish soap, 1 Tbsp white vinegar, 1 quart warm water).
Blot and Rinse: Use a clean, damp cloth to blot the area and lift the solution and ink.
Repeat if Needed: If the ink is still there, you can repeat the process.
Dry Thoroughly: Make sure the spot is completely dry before you sit on your velvet sofa again.

Dealing with Dry or Stubborn Ink

When ink has been on your sofa for a while, it can be particularly challenging to remove. Some ink, like that from a permanent marker (like a "building grade sharpie pen"), is notoriously difficult and might require repeated effort.

Why Dried Ink is Tricky

Dried ink has set into the fibers of the velvet sofa, meaning it needs a little help to loosen up before it can be lifted. This is why rubbing alcohol or hairspray is often suggested, as the alcohol can dilute and saturate the dried stain.

Pre-Treat the Spot: If the stain is dry, you should still gently blot away any loose ink before starting any deep cleaning.
Soak to Loosen: For dried ink, you might need to lightly spray the area with hairspray or rubbing alcohol to start breaking up the stain before moving on to soaking or dabbing methods.

Repeating the Process Safely

Patience is super important when trying to get out tough, dried stains from your velvet sofa. It might take trying a few different methods or repeating one method several times to fully get the stain out.

Gentle Work: Always work gently to make sure you do not damage the delicate velvet fabric.
Rinse Between Steps: After trying a cleaning solution, always rinse the area with clean water and dry it before trying a different cleaner. This stops different chemicals from mixing in a way that could harm your Atunus Home fabric.

Other Homemade Ink Helpers (Natural Solutions)

For people who like using solutions that are kind to the earth, there are natural household items that can help clean ink stains from velvet sofas.

Using Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda is a gentle scrub that works great for stains. This technique is often used for removing ballpoint pen ink.

Make a Paste: Mix baking soda with water until it becomes a thick paste.
Apply: Spread the paste generously over the ink spot, making sure it covers the whole mark.
Work it In: Gently work the paste into the velvet with your fingers or a soft cloth. Be very careful not to rub too hard.
Wait and Remove: Let the paste sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then, use a soft, damp cloth to carefully take the paste away. You can also mix baking soda with distilled white vinegar for a stronger mix, applying it for about an hour. (Note: While some sources suggest this mix, remember that baking soda and vinegar can cancel each other out, so sometimes using them separately is best).

Lemon Juice and Salt (Use with Caution)

Lemon juice has natural bleaching powers that can help fight ink stains.

Apply and Sprinkle: Pour lemon juice directly onto the ink spot. Then, sprinkle a generous amount of salt over the lemon juice.
Rub Gently: Lightly rub the mix into the fabric.
Rinse: Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then rinse the area thoroughly with clean water.
Test First: Always remember to test this method on a hidden area first, as lemon juice is strong and might affect the fabric’s color or texture.

Gentle Cleaning Habits for Your Velvet Sofa

Velvet sofas need a little bit of ongoing care to stay beautiful and luxurious. Since velvet sofa has sensitive little fibers (naps) that can get squished, proper maintenance is important.

Keep It Clean with Daily Brushing and Vacuuming

Keeping dust and dirt off your velvet sofa is the best way to prevent stains from sticking!

Regular Brushing: Use a soft bristle brush often to gently brush the surface of the velvet. This helps keep dust away and makes sure the velvet naps stay in good shape.
Careful Vacuuming: When you vacuum your house, use the soft brush or upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to go over the sofa surface. This removes dust and loose debris.

The Importance of Blotting, Not Rubbing

If anything spills on your velvet sofa—whether it is ink, coffee, or juice—the rule is always the same: blot, do not rub.

Act Fast: Velvet is sensitive to moisture, so deal with spills right away.
Dab, Dab, Dab: Use a clean, dry cloth or paper towel and gently press down on the spill. This helps soak up the liquid so it doesn't get pushed deep into the fabric.

Conclusion: Keeping Your Velvet Sofa Luxurious

Taking care of your beautiful velvet sofa from Atunus Home requires a little bit of effort, but it is worth it! Velvet perfectly brings together that comfortable, fancy look for your home.

When you find an ink stain, remember these simple steps: check your cleaning tag, act fast, and always blot gently. Rubbing alcohol and hairspray are fantastic tools for lifting ink. For a softer approach, you can rely on homemade solutions using vinegar or baking soda.

By following these gentle cleaning tips, you can make sure your velvet sofa stays soft, vibrant, and looks luxurious for many years to come. Don't forget that regular maintenance, like vacuuming and brushing, helps expand its lifespan and keep the velvet naps looking perfect. If you try these methods and the stain still won't come out, calling a professional cleaner might be the best next step.