How To Get Rid Of Permanent Marker Stains?
You may think that a marker advertised as “permanent” would be just that. In many cases it is almost impossible to get rid of permanent marker stains. They eventually wear away on hard surfaces but will linger for a long time on fabric and clothing.
Let’s look at a way to get rid of permanent marker stains on hard surfaces, like a counter top, for example. People have had success putting hair spray directly on the stained/marked spot. Let this sit for about a minute and wipe it off with a clean cloth. This should remove most of the mark. Try a little soap and water to get the area completely clean.
You may be able to remove marker stains from fabric with nail polish remover. It’s best not to rub the stained area when trying this method because you may smear or spread the stain rather than remove it. Just dab at it with a soft cloth. This might be a good method for removing marker stains from furniture.
Many Choices
You may be able to get rid of permanent marker stains using a variety of different household items. Standard cleaning products generally won’t do the job. But here are a few ideas you can try. One mom was able to get marker stains off the skin of her children using a health/beauty product called Noxzema. Use it like a paste on the stained area and clean it off with a cloth and cold water.
Black shoe marks on light-colored linoleum or tile can be removed with WD-40 and some steel wool. This might work for permanent marker stains on hard surfaces. But there are a couple of “cautions” involved in this method: WD-40 leaves a greasy residue that must be cleaned thoroughly with household cleanser and water. In addition, you can remove the surface coat or wax if you rub too hard with steel wool. Some folks find that a tennis ball does the job, especially the newer, fuzzy tennis ball. Try substituting this for steel wool!
Two other tricks for getting permanent marker stains of a floor surface include: 1) bug spray; 2) rubbing alcohol. Apply one of these directly to the stained area, let it stand for a few seconds and rub it off with a cloth. As with WD-40 you should always clean the area completely to get rid of the bug spray residue.
Suppose you have a dry-erase board that has been marked with a permanent marker. Before you panic, try going over the exact areas with a dry-erase marker made for the board. Then wipe the board down. Most of the permanent mark should come off.
We have already talked about using hairspray to help get rid of permanent marker stains. But there is at least one other household item you can try. Go the pantry and get a bottle of vinegar. Use this with a cloth to scrub away most of the marker stain. You may get better results by letting the vinegar stand on the spot for a few seconds.
Finally, you can buy products that will take permanent marker off most hard surfaces. Mr. Clean makes an eraser product. Ask your store manager about other options.
Category: Home & Garden