How to Remove Permanent Marker

When my kids were little, I did my very best to hide all our permanent markers where they couldn’t get to them. But somehow they caught on that Sharpies produced the best black lines for their art projects. And just as they somehow ferreted out my chocolate hiding places, they were always able to find my Sharpies. 

Try as I might, I did not in fact avoid that parenting rite of passage of panic at seeing the open permanent marker and looking for where stray marks may have made their indelible impressions. 

Luckily, permanent marker isn’t as permanent as its name implies — at least not when you’re determined to remove it. Here are some reliable ways to remove permanent marker from many types of surfaces, along what to keep in mind when using these methods. 

To remove permanent marker from painted walls, first try to use a multipurpose cleaner or warm, sudsy water applied with a rag or sponge. If neither of these work, soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and use this to remove the stain. 

Use a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol to remove permanent marker stains from wooden tabletops or furniture. 

Remove permanent marker stains from countertops with rubbing alcohol. If you don’t have rubbing alcohol, try hairspray that contains alcohol or hand sanitizer. 

Again, rubbing alcohol or its alternatives can be used to remove permanent marker from all types of tile. You can also use a baking soda paste or plain white toothpaste to buff the stain out. Both are abrasive and may help lift stains. Spot test on an inconspicuous area first. 

Alcohol or melamine foam can be used to remove permanent marker from glass. However, you could also color over the stain with a dry erase marker and then wipe away. 

A dry erase board scribbled with permanent marker isn’t ruined forever. Simply color over the permanent marker with dry erase markers and erase as usual. You’ll have a clean white board again. 

To remove permanent marker stains from upholstery, soak a cotton ball with alcohol and apply to the stain. Blot with a paper towel and repeat until the stain is gone. Test in an inconspicuous spot first. 

For natural fiber carpets, use a dry-cleaning solvent and follow package instructions. Repeat until the stain is removed. For synthetic carpets, apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to the stain and blot with a rag or paper towel. Repeat until the stain is removed and then rinse any residue with cool water. 

Color over the permanent marker stain with a dry erase marker. Wipe away both with a paper towel to completely remove the permanent marker. 

The same dry eraser marker method can be used to remove permanent marker from ceramic dishware or mugs. (The dry erase marker trick is perfect for removing permanent marker used to add prices to thrifted items.)

Melamine foam can be used to remove permanent marker from plastic, such as from food storage containers or their lids. 

You may have some success removing permanent marker from leather with distilled white vinegar. Apply the vinegar to a cotton ball or a rag and gently wipe over the affected area. 

Cleaning permanent marker from suede is best left to a professional. If you want to try to DIY, gently buff the affected area with a melamine sponge.