4 Ways to Remove Permanent Marker Stains

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-19 22:11

Permanent markers are very useful, but they can accidentally turn into destructive tools. Sometimes, permanent marker stains on skin, walls, floors, or furniture look almost like they can't be cleaned. If you have permanent marker stains that you need to clean, there are a few things you can try to get rid of this nightmare.

Step

Method 1 of 4: Removing Stains from Fabrics or Upholstery

Step 1. Soak the clothes in the stain-removing solution

Cleaning marker stains right where they are affected is an effective way to remove a wide variety of stains, and it can even remove alcohol-based marker ink stains.

• Place the stained cloth face down on a paper towel. This layer of tissue will absorb some of the stain and will need to be replaced while you're removing the stain.

  

• Rub the stain remover into the bottom of the stain so that it pushes it out of the top instead of pushing it deeper into the fabric.

  

• After applying the stain remover, wash the cloth with cold water and laundry soap. Do not wash in warm water, do not tumble dry, and do not iron. Heat can cause the stain to sink further.

  

Step 2. Visit the laundry

If none of the methods listed here have worked to remove the stain, or if the fabric you are cleaning is extremely fragile, it is best to have a professional laundromat do the stain removal for you.

When taking the stained fabric to the laundry, you may want to take the marker that caused it with you as well. That way, the laundry professional can better understand the stain and figure out the best way to clean it

Step 3. Try using white vinegar

Vinegar is acidic, and the acid is strong enough to clean a variety of stains, including most permanent marker stains. The vinegar available at home is usually not very strong, but it can still clean your carpets and upholstery.

• Pour a small amount of white vinegar on the carpet until the marker is completely wet.

  

• Lay the towel flat over the area. Use your wrist to gently press the towel until the stain appears to lift. Do not rub the towel against the carpet surface.

  

• Once the stain is completely removed, you can spray a little water on the carpet to help remove any remaining vinegar.

  

Step 4. Wash with stain remover and carpet shampoo

Just like stain removers on clothes, there are also stain removers for carpets and upholstery. Use by sprinkling cleaning shampoo onto the carpet or upholstery to remove marker stains.

• Apply the stain remover directly to the affected area. Leave it for the time recommended in the user manual.

• Dab a clean rag onto the stain. Don't rub.

  

• When you're done, you can wash the area with carpet shampoo or upholstery. Just don't use heat when cleaning with shampoo, because heat can make the stain sink even more.

  

Method 2 of 4: Removing Marker Stains from Skin

Step 1. Apply alcohol

Because the ink in markers is alcohol-based, a cotton ball soaked in alcohol or a cotton swab containing alcohol is usually able to remove the stain.

• Soak a small piece of tissue or a clean cloth in the alcohol solution.

  

• Rub a tissue or alcohol-soaked cloth onto the surface of the stain. The marker ink should start to wear off as you rub it.

  

• Remove any remaining alcohol by rubbing a clean, damp cloth over it.

  

Step 2. Try hand sanitizer

If you have sensitive skin, or there is no alcohol in the house, you can use a hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer contains a small amount of alcohol, so it's still quite effective at cleaning alcohol-based ink stains.

• Drop a small amount of hand sanitizer onto the marker.

  

• Use your hands to rub the hand sanitizer into your skin until the marker smudges appear to melt and lift.

  

• Wipe with a clean cloth or tissue.

  

Step 3. Soak in water

Soaking the part of the body that is stained with markers in warm soapy water can soften the skin and clean the stain. If the marker has just stuck to your skin, you may need to gently exfoliate the surface layer of the skin to remove the thickest part of the stain. You can use coarse salt or sugar as an exfoliant.

• Moisten the stained area with water.

  

• Sprinkle a little coarse salt or sugar right over the marker.

  

• Use a washcloth to scrub the area, so that the sugar or salt granules are evenly distributed and exfoliate old or dead skin cells.

  

• Wash the stained area with soap and water when you're done.

  

Step 4. Remove marker stains with tea tree oil

Although this oil is toxic and dangerous to ingest, tea tree is generally safe to use on the skin.

• Soak a cotton ball in a tea tree oil bottle.

  

• Rub tea tree oil into the marker stain, lightly pressing it.

  

• Clean with soap and water when finished.

  

Method 3 of 4: Removing Marker Stains from Wood and Paint

Step 1. Apply toothpaste

Toothpaste containing baking soda is best, but any toothpaste is better than gel. In addition, toothpaste is also gentle enough to remove stains on wall paint and is easy to clean.

• Dispense a small amount of toothpaste onto a clean, dry cloth, then rub the area against the stained wall.

  

• You may need to add more toothpaste during cleaning, and also replace the rag after the previous part is stained.

  

• Use another damp cloth to wipe off any remaining toothpaste when you're done.

  

Step 2. Use the "magic eraser"

You can find these easy-to-use cleaning products on the household cleaning shelves at convenience stores. “Magic eraser” is made from air-filled melamine foam without chemicals. This product can remove stains from the stained surface using a physical reaction, not a chemical one. Basically, this product works by sanding the stained surface at a micro level.

• You only need to rub the magic eraser on the stained wall until the stain is lifted.
• Wipe the walls with a clean rag when finished to remove any remaining melamine.
• This option is generally not recommended for glossy paints, as it can reduce the gloss and make the color look dull.

Step 3. Clean cabinets or wooden floors with rubbing alcohol

Most hardwood floors are resistant to alcohol, and because permanent marker ink is alcohol-based, this is often the most effective option for trying to clean it. Be careful not to scrub the floor or walls too hard, as this could peel off the varnish.

• Soak a small portion of a clean cloth in the alcohol.

  

• Wipe this alcohol-soaked cloth onto the marker stain. The marker ink should start to rub off as you rub it.

  

• Wipe off any remaining alcohol by rubbing a clean, damp cloth over the area.

  

Step 4. Apply tea tree oil

If you're worried that the wood surface will be damaged during cleaning, you can use tea tree oil as another option. This oil can remove most permanent marker stains without causing damage.

• Pour a small amount of tea tree oil onto a paper towel or clean cloth.

  

• Apply tea tree oil to the surface of the marker, applying medium to firm pressure as you rub it.

  

• Wipe the area with a clean, dry cloth when finished.

  

Method 4 of 4: Removing Marker Stains from Plastic and Whiteboard

Step 1. Use an orange-based glue cleaner

This product is perfect for use on non-porous surfaces.

• Wet a cotton swab with glue remover and dab it onto the marker.

  

• Use a cloth to wipe and clean the stain. You may need to repeat this step several times.

  

Step 2. Try nail polish remover or acetone to remove stains from plastic

Acetone and nail polish removers that contain acetone can remove almost all types of paint and colorants, and marker ink can usually be cleaned with acetone as well.

• Cover the bottle of nail polish remover or acetone with a clean cloth. Quickly flip the bottle over so the rag can absorb the liquid inside.

  

• Rub the area of the rag that has acetone or nail polish remover on the surface of the stain. You should be able to see the marker starting to lift by just gently rubbing it. Increase your rubbing pressure if necessary.

  

• Wipe off the rest with a clean rag.

  

Step 3. Remove marker stains with tea tree oil

If the stained plastic item is a little sensitive, try removing the stain with a gentler option such as tea tree oil.

• Pour some tea tree oil onto a paper towel or clean cloth.

  

• Apply tea tree oil to the marker, applying medium to firm pressure as you rub it.

  

• Dry the area with a dry, clean cloth when you're done.

  

Step 4. Sprinkle some alcohol

Permanent marker ink is alcohol based, so the most effective ingredient for removing stains is alcohol.

• Soak a small piece of tissue or a clean cloth in the alcohol solution.

• Rub the area that has been exposed to the alcohol on the marker stain. The marker should start to rub off as you rub it.

  

• Wipe off any remaining alcohol by rubbing a clean, damp cloth over the area.

  

Step 5. Coat the permanent marker stain with a non-permanent marker on the board

The most effective way to remove permanent marker from a whiteboard is to coat it with a non-permanent marker. The chemicals in the non-permanent marker can bind to the permanent marker, causing it to lift off the surface of the whiteboard and be erased.

• Cover all permanent marker stains with non-permanent marker.
• Erase the area that has been lined with paper towels.
• Repeat this step as needed until the stain is removed.

Tips

Remove permanent marker stains as quickly as possible. You have a better chance of removing it if you clean it right away while the stain is still wet, rather than waiting for it to dry and soak in