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Mo Beary Jan 4, 2006

I am so annoyed - although I would like to use other words!!

When I make a new bear all of the girls at the office want to see them.  So I finished a bear yesterday and took her to work.  One of the girls - and I'm not sure which one and really it doesn't matter at this point had ink on her hands and it transferred to the suede paw pad................UGH

Does anyone have any suggestion how to get it off.  I tried getting it off right away as soon as I noticed it but everything I have used didn't work.  I don't want to use something that would discolor the suede either.

They will never be able to touch the bears again!!!  I was going to be taking pics tonight and put her on ebay!

Please help if you can.

Thanks

Jane

NancyAndFriends Jan 4, 2006

Oh Jane...how awful.
I was going to suggest cuticle remover...it works on ink, but I don't think I would use it on the ultra-suede

What about some sort of dry cleaning solution? 

You might even take it to your local dry cleaners and see what they think as far as having them do a spot removal.  They know fabrics better than most!
Nancy

Donna Jan 4, 2006

Hi Jane,
You could try Fels-Naptha.  I think it might be easiet to just cut out two new paw pads then ladder stitch them on over the existing pads.
Donna

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJan 4, 2006

Donna, I've seen that in stores; what is it exactly, and how do you use it?

Shari Jan 4, 2006

     From my book of household hints there are a few options: try rubbing alcohol(maybe on the end of a Q-Tip) a dab of toothpaste, hairspray (Q-Tip again)and then a damp cloth, they suggest a tomato slice and then laundering but I wouldn't try that on a paw pad and the last is lemon juice and salt mixture that can be applied and left in the sun for a few hours. Hope one of these options will work.I have used the hairspray,toothpaste and lemon and salt on clothing with success.Hugs and best luck on this most heart wrenching problem.  :hug:  :hug:

Terrie Jan 4, 2006

Oh, Jane! That is too bad, I have also heard that hairspray works for ink stains.

Donna Jan 4, 2006

Shelli,
Fels-Naptha is an old time laundry bar soap.  You dampen the area to be treated then rub the area with the bar.  You can also grate off about 1/4 cup to add to your washer.  It has many uses in the garden and around the house.  We took it and a wash cloth with us when our son was small.  It was the only thing that we found that helped keep him from being covered in poison oak.  Now that he is 25 he still keeps it handy when he has been out for a hike.   It also will work on stains that have already been laundered.
Donna

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorJan 4, 2006

Very cool!  It's fairly inexpensive, if memory serves... and my kids are ALWAYS covered in greasy spots and dirt.  They actually use their shirts as napkins, despite my repeated insistance that there are other things available for that purpose.  I'll get some next time I hit Safeway and give it a try; thank you!

Bonnie Jan 4, 2006

Jane,
So sorry about your ink stain!
Boy, have I had a lot of experience with ink stains! ... says the woman who like to carry pens in her pocket but forgets to take the out before doing the laundry...LOL

Shari is right about the rubbing alcohol. It will take most inks right out of cloth at least. I'm not sure how it would do on ultrasuede, it won't hurt it but you might need to use a little mild soap and water after the alcohol.
Alcohol works like a charm on black Sharpie ink. I've never tried it on the new colored sharpie inks. It doesn't work as well on some gel inks. Hydrogen peroxide works on many gel inks but might lighten you paw pad. (FYI peroxide makes iodine, betadine, blood stains disappear like magic if they aren't too old.) Hair spray also works on some inks but then you have to wash the hair spray out.

Good luck!

bearlyart Jan 4, 2006

Are you using genuine suede or ultrasuede?  If you're using real suede, my understanding is that very fine grain sandpaper will remove just about any stains.  If you're using ultrasuede, here are their suggestions for care, although ink stains are not specifically mentioned:

http://www.ultrasuede.com/about/care.html

My mother the artists suggests contacting a professional art store in your area.  Some artists do work with 'pen and ink' media, and they may have a specialized artists' hand soap that would do the trick.  Her other suggestion was to take some extra scraps of that ultrasuede and make your own ink stains on it.  Then do your testing on the spare piece, so you don't have to worry about dealing with the bear until you've found something that works on the scraps.

Good luck!
Kelly

jazzyrags Jan 4, 2006

Wow you guys know everything

Tammy Jan 4, 2006

If all else fails maybe you could cover the spot with a patch, heart shaped or similar, like it was always supposed to be there.   No one would ever know the difference !!!

Good luck !

Mo Beary Jan 4, 2006

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.  I did take a scrap of the ultra suede and put an ink spot on it last night and tried a few things.  I haven't tried the alcohol or hair spray yet but I will give them a try.  I did get some of it out just by rubbing it with a damp cloth and Im hoping that that wasn't a mistake but i panicked!!!

I will try a few of your suggestions tonight and I did think of covering it with something as well as you suggested Tammy.

Thanks so much I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your help.

Jane

Cleathero Creations Jan 4, 2006

I had that happen to a bear I made once.  I ended up having to shade the area and a matching one on the other paw to hide it.
Nowadays I may just try to use preen oxyaction as it does an excellent job of removing alot of stains but I would try it on  a scrap piece first. 
good luck and let us know what happened