How to Remove Permanent Marker

Co-authored by Guy Peters

Permanent marker is, by nature, a really tough stain to treat, probably because it's supposed to be permanent. If you have permanent marker on household surfaces, skin or fabric, there are some things you can do to remove it. A good result isn't always guaranteed but if the alternative is a ruined object, it's definitely worth trying.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Removing Permanent Marker From Hard, Non-Porous Surfaces

1
Use a dry erase/dry wipe marker. A dry erase marker can be used to remove permanent marker stains from some surfaces, such as whiteboards or glass, This is because dry erase markers contain the same solvent. Simply draw over the previous marker stain with the dry erase marker, then wipe off with a whiteboard eraser or cloth. For best results, fill in the marker well, and leave it to dry for a short time. ^{[1]
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2
Use board cleaner or permanent marker remover on a whiteboard. Marker remover is specially formulated to remove marker, and board cleaner might still work to remove it as well.

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3
Use alcohol. First choice is rubbing/isopropyl alcohol, a solvent, which works really well. Be careful, alcohol is volatile (dries up quickly) so open a window or two. If you don't have any rubbing alcohol, and the other methods aren't available, you could use a high strength alcoholic drink, such as vodka or bourbon, but rubbing alcohol is more than 10x cheaper than alcoholic drinks. Apply the alcohol to a clean cotton bud/swab, or cloth, or small towel, and use rub the wet spot at the marker stains. You don't need to wash rubbing alcohol away with water, because it dries on it's own. But you do need to wash away alcoholic drinks. (. ^{[2]
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4
Use toothpaste mixed with baking soda. Mix one part baking soda with one part toothpaste in a small cup. Apply this mixture directly to the marker stain and let it sit for a moment or two. Grab a clean, slightly dampened cloth and use this to rub the mixture into the stain using circular motions. This may take a little elbow grease, but the stain should come off.^{[3]
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Research source} Then use a damp cloth to remove any extra mixture, and repeat as needed.
- This works especially well for removing permanent marker from wood. You can use it for both finished and unfinished wood.
- Instead of preparing a mixture, you can try a toothpaste that already contains baking soda.
- Avoid gel toothpastes, because they are not going to work.
5
Use a magic eraser. A magic eraser is a special cleaning pad designed to remove stains from a wide variety of surfaces. All you need to do is wet the magic eraser slightly, then use it to scrub the permanent marker stain from the surface.^{[4]
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6
Use some bleach. Spray bleach, or regular bleach, should remove the marker, provided the material is resistant enough to bleach (for example plastic container lids are OK, though they get attacked by it over time).
7
Use some WD-40. WD-40 is a commercial cleaning product with multiple uses in the home. Simply spray some WD-40 directly onto the marker stain then scrub it with a clean cloth to remove. Beware, WD-40 is very volatile (evaporates a lot) and strong. Only use WD-40 outside or with a shop vacuum / air circulator. ^{[5]
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8
Use a pencil eraser. In certain circumstances, it is possible to remove a marker stain by simply rubbing it with a pencil eraser.^{[6]
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9
Use sunscreen. Some people claim sunscreen is an effective tool for removing stains from non-porous substances. Simply spray or squirt a little of the sunscreen over the stain and use a clean cloth to work it into the stain.^{[7]
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10
Use nail polish remover. Dampen a clean cloth with a little acetone nail polish remover and use it to scrub the permanent marker stain clean. Nail polish remover is strong and volatile, so open a window or two.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Removing Permanent Marker From Fabrics

1
Use bleach to remove permanent marker from white (and only white) fabrics. Bleach bleaches (discolours) dyes and other colors, making them lighter or white. Dilute very a small amount of bleach in water (about 1 part to ) and dip the stained part of the clothing into the liquid. The stain may come off immediately, or may require soaking.^{[8]
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- If you need to soak the item, just keep on eye on the fabric to ensure the bleach doesn't begin to dissolve it.
- Once the stain has disappeared, you should wash the item immediately, as normal.
2
Use a mixture of vinegar, milk, borax and lemon juice for satin. Satin fabrics respond well to a mixture of one tablespoon each of milk and white vinegar and one teaspoon each of borax and lemon juice.^{[9]
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- Mix the solution in a small cup, then apply directly to the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Take a clean, dampened sponge and use it to dab (not rub) at the fabric until the stain comes away.
3
Use rubbing alcohol or acetone on sturdy fabrics. Stains on sturdier fabric, such as towels and sheets, can be removed with a little acetone or rubbing alcohol. Simply pour a little of either of these liquids onto a clean cotton ball and use this to dab at the stain until it disappears. Wash the items immediately.^{[10]
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4
Use citrus juice on regular clothing. Citrus juice, such as that from a lemon or lime, can be used to gently remove marker stains from most items of clothing, without fear of bleaching or staining. Simply apply a little of the freshly squeezed juice directly to the stain and dab with a cotton ball or clean cloth until it disappears.
- For more fragile fabrics, dilute the citrus juice to half strength with water first. Wash the item of clothing immediately.
5
Use rubbing alcohol or hairspray to remove stains from carpet. Pour rubbing alcohol into a cleaning cloth. Dab the cloth onto the carpet stain. As with any carpet stain, do not rub or you'll spread the stain and weaken the fibers. Keep dabbing until the stain lifts off.^{[11]
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- Alternatively, spray a little hairspray on the stain and use a clean towel to dab away.
- Once the stain has been removed (using either of these methods) dampen the carpet with a little water then use a clean towel to blot dry.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Removing Permanent Marker From Furniture

1
Use an aerosol hairspray on leather upholstery. Spray some aerosol hairspray onto a clean cloth and use this to scrub at the marker stain. You may need to use more hairspray or switch to a cleaner section of the cloth before the stain is fully removed.
- Once the stain has disappeared, clean off any hairspray residue with a clean, damp cloth and work a little leather conditioner into the furniture.
2
Use hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol on microfiber upholstery. To clean a marker stain from microfiber upholstery, apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to a clean towel and use this to scrub at the stain for 10 15 minutes.
- Next, apply a little rubbing alcohol to a different towel and use this to scrub the stain for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Use a third clean towel dampened with water to clean off any remaining marker. Blot the area dry using a dry towel.
3
Use Windex, rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover on other furniture. Other types of upholstery will usually respond to stain removal using Windex, rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. All of these use the same method:^{[12]
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- Apply a little of your chosen cleaning agent to a clean, dry towel and use it to dab at the stain (not run) until clean. Some people find that towels that match the color of the upholstery work best.
- You may need to apply the cleaning agent to a new section of the towel and continue dabbing a number of times before the stain comes away. Just don't let the fabric become soaked in the cleaning agent, as this could stain.
- Once the stain has been removed, pat up any excess moisture in the fabric using a clean, dry towel. If possible, place the furniture outdoors to dry completely.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Removing Permanent Marker From Skin

1
Use alcohol. Try using either rubbing alcohol or 80 or 101 proof liquor.^{[13]
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2
Place a little alcohol on a sponge or towel. Rub it into the stained skin, using some elbow grease. A faint mark may remain, but this will fade after a shower or two.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I remove permanent marker from denim?

Community Answer

You could use nail polish remover, hard hand sanitizer, diluted bleach, or hair spray.
Question

How do I remove permanent marker off my skin without rubbing alcohol (it gives me allergic reactions)?

Community Answer

Mix face wash and your body soap together and rub it on your skin, then rinse with warm water. Repeat as necessary until you see results.
Question

How can I get permanent marker off a baby?

Community Answer

It'll wash off, but if you want to remove it faster, use rubbing alcohol. Do not use hand sanitizer.

Warnings

Please do not use alcohol or acetone around the eyes, nose or mouth of a child, adult or pet. The torso and extremities should be a safe area but the sensitive skin on and in the face should not be exposed.

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Take care not to rub too hard on a child's skin. If the stained surface already has some sort of artificial colouring like paint, dye or lacquer, acetone, oil and alcohol will be abrasive to the skin.

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