This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Permanent marker can be difficult to remove from smooth surfaces, but despite its name, it doesn't have to be permanent. Most permanent marker can be removed from smooth surfaces with common household substances like vinegar or toothpaste. Before trying a more abrasive method like bleach or nail polish remover, test it on a small and less visible area of the smooth surface you want to clean. If it causes damage, find a less abrasive alternative.
Steps
Using Gentle Products
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1Wipe the surface with vinegar. Dampen a clean cloth with distilled white or cleaning vinegar. Wipe the cloth around the smooth surface you wish to clean several times.[1]
- This technique works well when removing permanent marker from smooth stovetops.
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2Clean the affected area with toothpaste. Squeeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto a napkin or paper towel. Wipe the affected area with a vigorous back-and-forth motion. After the permanent marker has been completely removed, wipe the affected area with a damp cloth, then dry it with a dry cloth.
- For stubborn stains, apply the toothpaste and let it sit for five minutes before wiping it away.[2]
- This will work best with a toothpaste that contains baking soda as a main ingredient. Gel toothpastes will probably be ineffective.
- This method is most effective when cleaning wood, televisions, dishes, and painted walls.
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3Remove the marker with baby wipes. Damp and slightly soapy, baby wipes are perfect for removing permanent marker from smooth surfaces. Simply pluck a baby wipe from the container and gently wipe the smooth surface you’re interested in cleaning.[3]
- This is the preferred method when removing permanent marker from televisions or computer screens.
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4Use a specialty product. There are a variety of specialty products available to help remove permanent marker from smooth surfaces. Specific directions for use vary with the product you’ve chosen to use. Generally, however, you can apply the product to the smooth surface that has permanent marker on it, then wipe it away with a paper towel or clean cloth.
- Popular products include Goo Gone, Watch Dog All Purpose Graffiti Remover, and Shadow Max Multi-surface Permanent Marker Remover.
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5Try melamine foam. Melamine foam—commonly available as the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser—is a popular product for removing permanent marker from smooth surfaces. It works exactly like a sponge. Simply wet the product, wring it out, then wipe the smooth surface from which you wish to remove permanent marker.[4]
- If the melamine foam proves ineffective on its own, trace over the permanent marker with a dry erase marker, then wipe it away with a Magic Eraser or similar melamine foam product.[5]
- This works best when cleaning smooth painted walls.
Trying More Abrasive Solutions
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1Clean the permanent marker with rubbing alcohol. Saturate a washcloth with rubbing alcohol. Wipe the affected area with it. After you’ve removed a good deal of the marker ink, scrub the rest of the color off with a damp sponge, or a sponge soaked in more rubbing alcohol.[6]
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2Spray the area with hairspray. Choose a hairspray with a high alcohol content. Spray it on the affected area. Wipe the area with a wet cloth or paper towel. Multiple applications may be necessary.[9]
- This method is effective when cleaning walls, leather, and tile.
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3Use WD-40. To remove permanent marker from smooth surfaces using WD-40, spray a bit of it on a paper towel. Wipe the smooth surface that you wish to clean using a gentle back-and-forth motion. Repeat as needed.[10]
- This works best on glass, dishes, and smooth furniture.
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4Wipe the area with nail polish remover. Wet a paper towel or a cotton ball with some nail polish remover. Wipe the affected area with the paper towel using a gentle back-and-forth motion.[11] Wipe the affected area with a damp cloth after applying the nail polish remover.[12]
- Only use a nail polish remover that is free of any moisture additives or fragrances.
- This method is especially effective when cleaning countertops.
- Do not use nail polish remover on any smooth, painted surface. It might cause the paint to come off.
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5Clean the affected area with bleach. Dampen an old rag or paper towel with bleach. Wipe the affected area with a gentle back-and-forth motion.[13]
- Do not use bleach on any smooth surface that is covered with paint, as bleach may cause the paint to come off.
- Don heavy rubber cleaning gloves before using bleach, as it can irritate the skin.[14]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you remove permanent marker from porcelain?
Michelle Driscoll, MPHMichelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Founder, Mulberry MaidsSpraying the permanent marker with hairspray works well on porcelain. Let the hairspray sit for 30-60 seconds before wiping the area with a soft cloth. If the ink still remains, you can either repeat this process or use products like a Magic Eraser or acetone nail polish remover.
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QuestionHow do you get permanent marker off a plastic surface?Michelle Driscoll, MPHMichelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Founder, Mulberry MaidsRubbing alcohol and hairspray typically work well for removing permanent marker off of hard plastic surfaces. You can also try acetone nail polish remover.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionHow do you get permanent marker off of a countertop?Michelle Driscoll, MPHMichelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Founder, Mulberry MaidsUsually a liquid bleach product, like Soft Scrub, easily removed permanent marker. You can also try acetone nail polish remover or hairspray to lift the ink off of your countertop.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
References
- ↑ http://fourplusanangel.com/2011/09/its-not-permanent/
- ↑ http://lilduckduck.com/8-ways-to-remove-permanent-marker-stains/253
- ↑ http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2015/07/how-to-remover-permanent-marker-from-just-about-anything.html
- ↑ http://fourplusanangel.com/2011/09/its-not-permanent/
- ↑ http://www.simplyrealmoms.com/posts/how-to-remove-permanent-marker-from-smooth-surfaces/
- ↑ https://dengarden.com/cleaning/How-To-Remove-Permanent-Marker-from-a-Painted-Wall
- ↑ http://www.budgetsavvydiva.com/2013/01/remove-permanent-marker-everything/
- ↑ http://lifehacker.com/5907701/how-to-remove-permanent-marker-from-wood
- ↑ http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2015/07/how-to-remover-permanent-marker-from-just-about-anything.html
- ↑ http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2015/07/how-to-remover-permanent-marker-from-just-about-anything.html
- ↑ http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2015/07/how-to-remover-permanent-marker-from-just-about-anything.html
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-remove-permanent-marker/
- ↑ http://lilduckduck.com/8-ways-to-remove-permanent-marker-stains/253
- ↑ https://www.hunker.com/12487957/can-i-use-household-bleach-on-the-walls-of-my-house
- ↑ https://dengarden.com/cleaning/How-To-Remove-Permanent-Marker-from-a-Painted-Wall
About This Article
Permanent marker is called permanent for a reason, but with the right cleaning products, you can remove it from smooth surfaces. For surfaces such as wood, dishes, and painted walls, apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto a clean paper towel and rub the marker until it’s gone. For smooth stovetops, use a gentle product such as white vinegar and a clean cloth to wipe away the marker. Computer and television screens need a gentle cleaner like a baby wipe. To get the marker off of walls, tile, and surfaces like leather, spray the area with hairspray and wipe it away with a wet cloth or paper towel. You can use WD-40 to clean marker off of glass, dishes, and smooth furniture. Spray a small amount on a paper towel and wipe it away. For tips about how to use nail polish remover to clean off stubborn permanent marker stains, keep reading!
