If your toddler starts playing and getting creative with Sharpie markers, you may find wall hangings that you never expected. Markers are permanent and can be both your best friend and your worst enemy. There are several methods you can use to remove marker streaks from paint-covered walls, and most of them use common household materials.
Step
Method 1 of 7: Non-permanent Marker
Step 1. Scratch a non-permanent marker over the scribbled marker
Ideally, the non-permanent marker used should be the same color as the scribbled marker.
Step 2. Rub both layers of streaks with a dry and clean cloth
The two marker strokes will disappear and leave a little residue. You may have to repeat this process several times until the marker stain is completely gone.
Method 2 of 7: Toothpaste
Step 1. Apply a small amount of white toothpaste evenly using a cloth directly over the scribbled marker
It's best not to use a gel-type toothpaste. Cheap white toothpaste seems to work best. Or, you can thin the toothpaste by adding a little water in a cup. Apply this diluted toothpaste over the scribbled marker.
Step 2. Leave the toothpaste on for 5-10 minutes
Step 3. Rub the marker scribbles with the cloth
Use circular motions to help lift the stain off the wall.
Step 4. Wipe off any remaining toothpaste with a damp cloth
The scribbled marker should be gone.
Method 3 of 7: Baking Soda
Step 1. Use a coarse dishwashing sponge (usually green)
Moisten the sponge and pour a little baking soda over it. Place the sponge on the stained wall and rub gently in a circular motion. You may have to rinse and repeat the process, depending on how thick the line is and the color of the marker. Perhaps this is the reason why people use toothpaste to clean markers; Toothpaste contains a lot of baking soda!
Method 4 of 7: Chemical-Based Toiletries
Step 1. Try isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), hand sanitizer, hairspray, or nail polish remover
Wear gloves when using cleaning agents. In addition, gloves protect hands from ink stains. If you have to clean up marker streaks over a large area of the wall, consider opening a window as well.
Step 2. Test the cleaning agent on the wall
Apply a small amount of cleaner to an inconspicuous area of the wall. Many cleaning agents can change the color of walls or remove paint. So, rub the cleaning agent carefully and see how it reacts.
If the walls are coated with latex paint, you should be careful when using a cleaning agent to remove marker streaks. Latex paint will stick or peel off if you rub in a cleaning agent such as isopropyl alcohol or nail polish remover. In addition, the paint will lose its luster
Step 3. Pour the cleaner on a soft washcloth or cotton ball
Make sure you don't mind throwing it away after use.
Step 4. Write the cleaning liquid on the scribbled marker
If that doesn't work, try scrubbing the scribble in a circular motion. You may have to rub it a few times to completely remove the marker.
Step 5. Clean the problem area of the wall with mild soap and water
After the marker has been removed, clean the walls to free them of harsh chemical residues.
Method 5 of 7: WD-40
Step 1. Put on gloves before using WD-40
WD-40 is a multipurpose chemical lubricant, dirt and dust cleaner, and water displacer. If you're dealing with a large area of the wall that's full of streaks, consider opening windows as well. Also, pay close attention to the warnings listed on the product label.
Step 2. Spray a small amount of WD-40 on the scribbled marker
Hold the washcloth under the streak as you spray. This will prevent the WD-40 from dripping and staining the rest of the wall.
Step 3. Rub the marker strokes in a circular motion using a clean and dry cloth
Step 4. Clean the wall area with mild soap and water
Once the marker has been removed, cleaning the walls will remove any harsh chemical residue.
Method 6 of 7: Stain Remover for Household
Step 1. Try a stain remover product
This kind of product is made to remove stubborn stains on the surface. You can try products like: "Mr. Clean Eraser", "Magic Eraser", "Simple Green", or "Totally Awesome". Don't forget to read the instructions to make sure the product can be used on a wall.
Step 2. Apply the stain remover to the scribbled marker
Step 3. Gently rub the marker strokes with a soft cloth
The scribble will slowly disappear.
Step 4. Clean the wall area with mild soap and water
Once the scribble has been removed, clean the walls to free them of any harsh chemical residue.
Method 7 of 7: Covering Marker Stains with Paint
Step 1. Sweep paint on the wall to cover the marker scribbles
If the streaking is too much, and the methods mentioned above don't work to remove the marker stain, there may be no other way than to repaint the walls.
Step 2. Look for old paint of the same color from a paint shop
Or, buy a can of paint to test if you can't find anything similar. Use a paint color palette if you don't know a name for the wall paint color.
Step 3. Make preparations like the painting process in general
Clean the walls, sand them if needed, and let them dry.
Step 4. Sweep the paint over the marker stain
Do the painting several times to make sure all the streaks are covered. Smooth the results of the new paint in such a way that it doesn't look much different from the old paint and doesn't seem like a "patch".
Step 5. Let the paint dry
Tips
- The sooner you deal with the marker stain, the better because the marker hasn't soaked too far into the paint.
- This method can be used to remove other brands of permanent marker, not just Sharpie.
- Walls covered with semi-gloss or glossy paint will be easier to clean than walls covered in matte or low sheen paint.
- Keep permanent markers out of reach of children.
