How to Remove Paint from Faux Leather

Co-authored by Mallika Sharma

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

If you accidentally spill paint on faux leather, you can remove it a number of ways. If the stain is still wet, use a paper towel to remove any remaining paint. Then clean the spot with a solution of dish washing liquid and water. You can remove dried paint from faux leather by scraping or brushing the dried paint off before cleaning it with water and dish soap.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Wet Paint

1
Use a paper towel to blot the paint. As soon as you notice a wet paint stain on faux leather, grab a paper towel. Use the paper towel to absorb as much of the wet paint as possible. Try to avoid spreading the paint beyond the borders of the original stain.
- You might need to use several paper towels to absorb all of the remaining paint.
- Make sure you blot instead of rubbing. Rubbing the paint will cause it to penetrate into the faux leather more quickly.
2
Mix 1 quart/950mL water with 1 ounce/30mL dish detergent. In a bucket or large container, mix together 1 quart/950mL of hot water with 1 ounce/30mL of mild dish detergent. Combine the two ingredients to make a soapy cleaning solution.^{[1]
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3
Sponge away the remaining paint residue. Dip a sponge into the mixture of hot water and mild dish detergent. Squeeze the excess water from the sponge, and then use the sponge to clean away any remaining residue from the paint. Rinse the sponge out in the cleaning solution when one side of the sponge becomes saturated with paint. You should rinse the sponge at least once during your cleaning session.^{[2]
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- Make sure the sponge is only damp with the solution, not soaking wet.
4
Dry the faux leather with a soft cloth. Once you have successfully removed the remaining paint residue, dry the area completely. You can use a soft cloth, like cotton or microfiber, to dry the area. You can also use a paper towel to remove residual moisture.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Removing Dry Paint

1
Use the tip of a knife to scratch away the dried paint. Since the paint has already dried on the faux leather, you will need to find a sharp knife or pin to remove it with. Gently scratch at the surface of the paint with the tip of the knife or pin. Be careful you do not scrape or puncture the faux leather.
2
Remove the dried paint with a toothbrush. If you cannot easily remove the dried paint using the tip of a knife or pin, try a toothbrush. Use the toothbrush to make gentle circular strokes, so that the dried paint begins peeling off the faux leather.
- Do not apply too much pressure or you might scratch the surface of the faux leather.
3
Clean the area with hot, soapy water. Mix 1 quart/950mL water with 1 ounce/30mL dish detergent. Dip a sponge or soft cloth in the cleaning solution. Wipe the affected area down with the hot soapy water. This should help remove any remaining flecks of dried paint.^{[4]
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- For tough stains, dip the toothbrush in the cleaning solution and scrub the stain.
4
Dry the area with a soft cloth. Once you have removed the dried paint from the faux leather, dry the affected area with a cloth made of microfiber or cotton. You can also use a paper towel to dry the faux leather.
5
Consider a cleaner formulated for faux leather. If you have a tough stain on faux leather that doesn't respond to hot, soapy water or scrubbing, you might need a special cleaner. Look for cleaners that are specifically formulated for faux leather, and use the cleaner according to the manufacturer's instructions. You can use these cleaners on wet or dry paint.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is there anything else I can try using besides soapy water or a leather cleaner?

Mallika Sharma
Certified Leather Care Technician
Mallika Sharma is a Certified Leather Care Technician and the Founder of The Leather Laundry, a niche spa service for luxury leather gear in India. Mallika specializes in leather cleaning, coloring, repairing, and restoring for shoes, handbags, jackets, wallets, belts, and sofas. She holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Investment from the University of Edinburgh Business School. Mallika is a certified Professional Leather Care Technician and trained with the globally reputed leather care company, LTT in the United Kingdom.

Mallika Sharma

Certified Leather Care Technician

Expert Answer

Yes—you can use isopropyl alcohol/rubbing alcohol too! Petroleum jelly can also be used. Always do a patch test first.
Question

How can I remove melted plastic from a leather jacket?

Community Answer

Try scratching it off after soaking it in hot water. If that doesn't work, then take it to a professional fabric specialist.