How to Remove Permanent Marker from Furniture

Co-authored by Guy Peters

Last Updated: October 31, 2022 References

No matter how careful we try to be, accidents happen. Sometimes they happen right on our new sofa, all over the white carpet or right on the oak coffee table. Here are a couple of common household items for removing permanent ink from furniture.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Toothpaste

1
Use a solid white toothpaste. The brand doesn’t matter but avoid gel toothpastes or a combination as these don't tend to work as well.
- This same process can work with baking soda in place of toothpaste. Or better yet, use toothpaste that contains baking soda!
2
Squeeze out a generous dollop. Use enough toothpaste to ensure the stained area will be completely covered when the toothpaste is spread around. Don't be stingy.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Use a damp rag or paper towel. You don't need to soak the rag. Just run it under warm water then wring it out until it is just barely wet.
4
Rub the toothpaste into the entire stain using a circular motion. As the toothpaste disappears, the permanent marker should as well.
- If the marker doesn't completely disappear after the first attempt, repeat the process with a new damp cloth and another dab of toothpaste.
5
Rinse out your rag. Then wipe any remaining toothpaste from the surface until clear.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Vinegar or Rubbing Alcohol

1
Mix vinegar and dish soap. Add two cups of cold water to one tablespoon of vinegar and one tablespoon of dish soap.
2
You can also use rubbing alcohol or similar products. Hairspray and sunscreen will work because they usually have alcohol in them. Check the ingredients to be sure. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- You can also try hand sanitizer, WD-40, or lemon juice.
3
Get to the stain as quickly as possible. Attacking the stain before it has a chance to dry and set in will increase your chances at removing it completely.
4
Dampen a rag or cotton ball. Don’t just dump a puddle of alcohol onto the stain. Instead, dab some onto a rag and apply it to the stain that way.
5
Blot around the stain first. Especially when you’re working with fabrics, soaking the area around the stain
6
Dab, don’t scrub! Rubbing the stain back and forth can push it deeper into the fabric. Use a firm dabbing motion, pressing the rag into the stain and lifting it up directly without rubbing it back and forth.^{[4]
X
Research source}
7
Repeat as needed. If the stain remains, dampen a clean cloth with more rubbing alcohol and dab the stain again. Then rinse with a clean, damp sponge or cloth.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Once the stain is gone and the upholstery has been rinsed, let it air dry.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Store Bought Product

1
Consult your local hardware store. Hardware stores should have a stock of commercial carpet cleaners. You can ask one of the employees for a recommendation, but most cleaners will list what they work best for on the bottle. ^{[6]
X
Research source}Lift Off #3^{[7]
X
Research source} is an example but you can get any number of products.
2
Be sure to read the label of any product before you buy. Commercial products often contain chemicals that can cause damage if used on the wrong surface. Check the labels to make sure it is appropriate for the specific surface you need to clean.
3
Try a Magic Eraser. You can get these at places like Target or Walgreens. They work great, even on bamboo items!
- Use furniture oil if the sheen gets rubbed off.
- Other products such as Goo Gone or Bon Ami can remove permanent marker stains and are available at most hardware stores.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I remove marker stains from white furniture, if none of the methods work?

Community Answer

From experience, I used clear Windex and and a white cloth. I didn't spray so much on that it dripped, then I carefully wet the lines of ink. I was pleasantly surprised when most of the marks came off. Test a small area first and if it works, apply it to the entire affected area.
Question

How do I remove permanent marker from plastic furniture?

Community Answer

Scrub it with a damp magic eraser (water only/no chemicals). You can also use rubbing alcohol or anything that contains rubbing alcohol, such as Listerine or Lysol disinfectant spray. You can also color over the existing marker with more permanent marker and then quickly wipe it off before it dries - this should remove both the old and new marker. But be forewarned that some types of plastic, especially older ones, may absorb the marker, making it permanent and not removable by any means.
Question

How do I remove old black stains from my wood floors resulting from a friend's dog? (FYI, I've recently had hip surgery and need help removing these stains). What can I do?

Community Answer

As you have had hip surgery, it may be a little hard for you to do, but perhaps you can get a friend to help. You need nail varnish remover (the actual remover would be better than remover pads and if you can get nail varnish remover with cammomile in it, then that's even better) and some elbow grease. If that doesn't work, you could use paint remover, but only as a last-ditch effort.