So you want to save some money by removing that permanent marker? We understand. With 5 kids and what we thought were “hidden” Sharpies, we thought we would be safe, but we have had our fair share of “Sharpie removal experiments!”
So we want to share this list with you to help you restore your item to it’s previous “before Sharpie” stage.
Many of these, we have used and done ourselves, but some of these are reader submitted suggestions for removal on other items that we haven’t tried, but passing the information along.
*Please note, some of these experiences will vary based on the EXACT type of surface and how long the Sharpie or permanent marker has set it. For best results, you want to try and remove the Sharpie as soon as possible. These solutions may have to be repeated depending on how set in the marker stain is.
1. Skin
I know – toddlers love to color on themselves with Sharpies. Well, the best solution we have found is to use sunscreen to remove it. The best brand has been Waterbabies (or rather, what we have successfully used). The sooner you can get sunscreen on the skin where the Sharpie is, the faster it will remove it. Basically, rub the sunscreen on pretty thick and let it set for several minutes. Then wipe it off! You may have to do this another time or two depending on how long the Sharpie set.
2. Old Style Television Screen
Draw over the Sharpie with a dry erase marker and wipe away with a dry cloth!
3. Flatscreen Television or Computer Screen
Toothpaste and baby wipes with alcohol have both be stated to work. For toothpaste, very gently rub the toothpaste over the marker and let it set for a couple of minutes and then wipe away with a baby wipe or a very damp cloth. Test a small area before. Depending on the screen and stain, a baby wipe alone may do the trick.
4. Plastic Surfaces
The best reported method is simply using a pencil eraser and erase just like you would pencil on a paper – except it won’t be quite that easy. You will have to put a bit of elbow power into it. But eventually, you may be able to erase those marks away!
5. Plastic Storage Totes
You can try pencil erasers since they are plastic, but they are a rougher type (not smooth) and so WD-40 or sunscreen have also worked on these surfaces.
6. Laminated Surfaces (like posters)
Dry erase marker is a simple solution! Just color over the marker with your dry erase marker and wipe away with a dry cloth.
7. Metal Surfaces
Toothpaste may be the best removal solution! Classic Colgate is the reported best. Rub the toothpaste into the marker on the metal and wipe away. Repeat as necessary.
8. Stainless Steel
Again, Dry Erase markers will be the best solution! Color over the permanent marker with your dry erase marker and wipe with a dry cloth.
9. Glass and Mirrors
And……. again, Dry Erase markers will be the best solution! Color over the permanent marker with your dry erase marker and wipe with a dry cloth.
10. Jewelry
Dawn may be the best solution for your jewelry. It is gentle, but effective. Please be careful cleaning your jewelry as some may be very sensitive to anything but jewelry cleaner. But if you want to try this, you can soak in a solution of dawn with a bit of water or a spot of straight dawn and then gently rubbed away.
11. Clothes and Upholstery
Simply spray the marker with Aerosol Hairspray or hand sanitizer and let it set for several minutes (test a small spot for colorfastness!). Then using a bit of classic blue dawn and water, scrub away with a toothbrush. Rinse in cool water. Wash clothing as usual and pat your upholstery dry.
Please note, if you have washed and dried the permanent marker stain on these surfaces – it will be more difficult and potentially impossible to remove. It may be only lightened by this solution.
12. Carpet
A solution of white vinegar and classic Dawn may do the trick. Similar to the clothing, spray vinegar and drop some Dawn on the carpet spot and let it set (again, test a small spot for colorfastness!). Then scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse with a wet rag until it is removed. Pat dry with a dry cloth.
13. Wood
Rubbing Alcohol or peanut butter may remove the Sharpie stain. It will depend on your wood surface and the finish. Peanut butter will be safer, but the rubbing alcohol may be more effective. Use your best judgment based on your wood surface and finish and test a spot. You can also try a Magic Eraser with caution!
You can always buy a marker that shares the same/similar color as your wood surface and just try disguising it by coloring over it too.
14. Walls
The success on this one will vary depending on how set the marker is, the color and type of wall surface. But here’s the top successful ways to remove permanent marker from walls.
Toothpaste (classic Colgate has been reported to be the most effective). Gently rub a bit of toothpaste onto the stain with your finger and then use a wet rag to gently rub the stain away.
In addition, some have had success using an Aerosol Hairspray by spraying the spot and then wiping away.
Finally, some have also had success with just using a magic eraser.
What have you tried that has been successful?
Do you have any tips to add to the above list?
Disclaimer: please note that the above are simply suggestions and are not guaranteed to remove the stain. Use at your own discretion and test a small, inconspicuous area before full application of any of the above tips. In addition, your results will vary depending on setting time, exact surface, marker brand and environment.
Mindy
I have permanent marker (about 7 years old) on smooth fireplace stones. How would I get that off? I’ve tried numerous things and nothing has worked.
Mindy
Norman
Try lacquer thinner – use it at work all the time.
rene
I wish someone could advise how to remove Prestik/Blue Tac? My son covered his walls with posters, and now we left with the residue after removing the posters.
Gabi
Pinned to a bunch of group boards & sharing on fb! 😀 where was this post when I found out I needed to use an eraser on my high gloss living room furniture door (AFTER I had ruined it with a magic eraser sponge!!) !? Oh well.. At least I won’t be able to blame u next time! 😛
Thank you for sharing this!
Cassie
Ha Ha – yes. Thanks for sharing and pinning Gabi! We really appreciate it!
Doris
I just used Avon Skin So Soft Disapearing Color sun sceeen to get the magic marker off my plastic totes and I worked. Thank you. I was told that rubbing alcohol would work but it didn’t.
Donna
I sprayed “Goo-Gone” on permanent marker on plastic totes, waited a few seconds and wiped clean with a washcloth. Very simple. I tried sun screen but that didn’t work. “Goo-Gone” does!
Di
How do I remove permanent marker from a Christmas ornament
Anna
I have to write on my arm in Sharpie at swim meets. I successfully got it off in under 3 minutes using nail polish remover
paula
How do I remove the marker from the soles of shoes?
llama
I received a $50 dollar bill with sharpie all over it & no store will take i . any suggestions?
Shari
Take it to your bank. They should exchange it.
Verena
They wont exchange it, they tested my 100 bill said its good go ahead and use it, but noone will take it.
Kaylee Picray
Use a Dry erase marker
Carol Laudermilch
How do I remove green marker from a tan leather purse?
Tina
I had permanent marker on a tote and wanted to write something new on the lid. I found that using a damp Mr clean magic erasers work too.
Angie Davidson
The dry erase method works on plastic also…much better than any other method I have tried. The best thing I have found to take marker off walls or wood is the cheap Wrinkle Releaser from Dollar General and an SOS pad.
Chris
My son colored a wood Melissa & Doud puzzle with black sharpie about 18 years ago. Today I used dry erase marker to remove it and my grandson can now see the”lost dinosaurs! its not perfect, some of the colors faded but it’s a looot better. Thanks for the advice!
susan clawson
how can i remove permanent marker from a sterling silver bowl??
susan clawson
how can I remove permanent black marker from a sterling silver bowl ? I don’t want to damage or discolor the bowl
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Rachel Frampton
My sister would like to have the permanent markers removed from her window vinyl, which is why she’s currently looking for a dry erase tool. Well, aside from this, I’m also glad that you shared here the advantage of using toothpaste and wipes in removing the marker on a computer screen. Thank you for suggesting here as well that the pencil eraser could be used as a remedy too.
Gold Jewelry
Some very nice advice in your article I’m able to put to
good use for my long term plans. Thanks for spending some time to share this, Most likely it
will help numerous others as it has helped me.
Noah Enholm
To get rid of the marker stains, use the cleaning supplies in your bathroom. Alternatively, you can write new dry erase marker marks over the previous ones and then wipe them away.
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