How to Get Blue Dye Off of White Leather

Dark-colored dyes are used in clothing, hair color and other products, and when they stain white leather, it can be a real problem. All is not lost, though, since there are proven methods for getting substances like black, red and dark blue dye out of lighter materials. As with all kinds of stains, time is of the essence for the best results. Try to get to the stain as quickly as possible and you'll have better chances at removing the dye.

Start by carefully blotting away as much of the dye stain as possible with a clean, absorbent paper towel or old cloth. Take care not to spread the stain out further or press it into the leather. Then, put some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball and test an inconspicuous area of the couch. If it does not mark the couch, use this to carefully remove the dye a little bit at a time. Should you use too much, it may cause the leather to peel.

Hair spray can also remove hair dye but read the ingredients first. Hair spray will be an effective dye remover if it contains alcohol, but do not use the spray if it contains any colorants. Apply the hair spray to a clean cloth (not right onto the leather) and use this to remove the stain.

When you are finished using the alcohol or hair spray, buff the leather with a clean microfiber cloth. Both alcohol and hair spray can be very drying, so treat your couch with a good leather conditioner once the stain is gone.

Blue jeans can also leave stains on white leather couches when the color transfers from the pants onto the furniture. This tends to happen with darker shades of jeans because the dyes need to be washed several times until they bleed out completely.

You can try using toothpaste to remove blue jean stains. Squeeze a bit onto the stain and gently scrub with a toothbrush. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it off and blot away the residue with a clean sponge.

You can also try Borax and baking soda to remove stains from a white leather couch. To do so, combine 1 tablespoon of each with 100 milliliters of water. Apply it to the dye stain with a sponge or a soft-bristled toothbrush, working gently so as not to scratch the surface. Another leather cleaning method uses equal parts of water and white vinegar applied with a clean microfiber cloth. You can also try using acetone-free nail polish remover or hair spray since this works well on hair dye and ink.

If the stain is still fresh, you may be able to remove it with liquid dish soap and water. You will have to rub vigorously to get the dye out, but like the other methods, there is no guarantee that it will be 100-percent effective.

Remove all of the cleaning solution with a clean sponge or cloth afterward. Do not allow any cleaning products to sit on the couch afterward or you risk damaging it. A leather cleaner may also work. As a last resort, you may need to have the white couch professionally cleaned.