How to remove permanent marker stains on different surfaces

Found a permanent marker stain on your favourite carpet or walls? Don’t fret! You can learn how to remove permanent marker stains on any type of surface. 

While anyone would panic at the thought of permanent marker stains ruining your carpets, walls, or even clothes, it’s not as permanent as the name suggests! Just follow this guide on how to remove marker stains, and you can bring back the beauty of your surface. 

How to remove permanent marker from fabric

Let's begin with the most common victim of an unwarranted marker attack: fabric. There are many different options to save your clothing or upholstery, including the following:

• Rubbing alcohol

• White vinegar

• Lemon juice

• Regular toothpaste (not gel)

• Hand sanitiser

• Aerosol hairspray

• Nail polish remover

• WD-40

To remove marker stains, use an old washcloth and dab your stain remover from the list above onto the affected area. The key here is dabbing, not rubbing, as that action can force the stain deeper into the fibres. Use as much stain remover as necessary, and dab until the marker disappears.

If you want to learn how to remove permanent marker stains from clothing, you can use the same method as above. But, if you are dealing with more delicate fabrics like satin, opt for a dry cleaner and specify where the stain is when you give the item to the cleaner.

How to remove permanent marker from wood

If a little permanent marker stain has wound up on your wood furniture or floorboards, your best options are rubbing alcohol, regular toothpaste, or even peanut butter! Blot your treatment of choice directly onto the stain, then let it sit for a few minutes.

After this, dab it with a damp washcloth and repeat until the stain is gone. We recommend testing your cleaning method of choice in an inconspicuous spot first just to ensure you don't cause damage to the stain, varnish, or seal of your wood.

Source: Kelly Sikkema

How to remove permanent marker from walls

Another regular area for the accidental marker treatment is the walls. To be fair, they do look like a lovely blank canvas on which children everywhere look to begin their budding art careers. If your kid loves playing with crayons or Sharpies, you shouldn't miss out on learning how to remove permanent marker stains off walls.

Rubbing alcohol, aerosol hairspray, and regular toothpaste (not gel) are great ways for removing  marker stains from your walls. But, you can also buy a magic eraser or use lemon essential oil as an effective solution.

When rubbing your walls, make sure you do not rub too hard to avoid removing the paint, especially if using the magic eraser or anything abrasive.

How to remove permanent marker from plastic

If the unwanted marker or ink stain has found its way around the bin, furniture, or, most likely, your child's toys and other types of plastic material, you can use a pencil eraser, sunscreen, a dry erase marker, or rubbing alcohol to make it disappear.

Luckily, this is one of the easier surfaces to clean with minimal risk of damage! Don't be deterred if the process isn't effective straight away. In most cases, you may have to repeat the cleaning steps to whittle away the stain, but push through as it will be gone eventually.

How to remove a permanent marker from a whiteboard

Possibly more of an issue in the office, but we've all seen (or experienced first-hand) the old permanent marker instead of the dry erase marker on the whiteboard trick. It's an easy mistake to make, and just as easy to fix!

Trace over the marks with a dry erase marker, and then wipe with a wet cloth. The marker stains will be gone in no time!

How to remove permanent marker from leather

If you happen to get permanent marker stains on leather surfaces, the key is to treat it as soon as possible. The best options are aerosol hairspray, white vinegar, or sunscreen.

Dab or spray your choice of solution onto the stained area, then blot with a damp cloth until it no longer exists!

How to remove stains from the carpet

The most efficient option to remove permanent marker stains from the carpet is rubbing alcohol. Ensure you blot the stain gently, as any kind of rubbing motion might cause the marker stain to be absorbed by the carpet fibres.

Use a clean, damp rag that will absorb and lift the alcohol and stain out of the carpet.

How to remove permanent marker from metal

If you have permanent marker mishaps on any metal items, such as your stainless steel appliances, rubbing alcohol, dry erase marker, or regular toothpaste are the best options.

If you are dealing with a black marker stain, it should wipe off straight away after applying any of the solutions above.

More tips on removing permanent marker stains

Saving paper and books

Believe it or not, you can remove permanent marker stains from paper. This means you don't have to return books to the library that your children have added some content to.

A little nail polish remover placed carefully onto the stain will do the trick; just make sure you don't saturate the paper. Soak the nail polish remover with a clean cloth and repeat until the marks are gone.

Cleaning marker off the glass

If the permanent marker stain has ended up on glass items like windows, cups, or dishes, several methods should prove useful in its removal, including:

• Regular toothpaste mixed with baking soda

• Dry erase marker

• Rubbing alcohol

• WD-40

• Nail polish remover

Soak the stain remover into a paper towel, then easily wipe the stains off the glass.

Source: CDC

Removing Sharpie stains from television or computer screens

This particular mishap is a stressful one. We all know the drop in the stomach that occurs when a permanent marker ends up on the delicate screen of some expensive gadget, but it's not time to get that credit card extension just yet!

Permanent marker stains can be removed from a screen; it is, however, a delicate process and immensely vital that you use the correct cleaning solution. First, try using a baby wipe and carefully wipe the screen. If that doesn't work, regular toothpaste should be your next option. Dab toothpaste onto the stain and allow it to sit for a few minutes, then use a clean cloth to wipe. If you repeat this several times, the stain should disappear.

Ensuring your tiles are stain-free

If the permanent marker has made its way onto your tiled flooring or walls in the kitchen or bathroom, you can clean it with regular toothpaste, aerosol hairspray, or a magic eraser.

If you are dealing with smooth tiles, you should be in for a relatively easy task. Textured tile, on the other hand, may require a little more work. In this situation, we recommend using an old toothbrush or a cotton swab to get in the nooks and crannies to get rid of that stain for good.

Need a little extra help with cleaning marker stains?

If there are tougher stains to remove, hire stain removal experts and leave it to the pros! Taskers can also offer a range of cleaning services for tasks that require more skills, so you don’t have to do the work by yourself.