How to Remove Permanent Marker Stains

Did the kids get a little “creative” with their coloring? Cleaning things up isn’t so hard with this tip:

Try covering the marks with toothpaste then scrub off with a damp cloth (just plain–not the gel kind). I’ve tried this on wood paneling, painted walls and even a porcelain doll face.

Works like a charm for me, but didn’t work out so well for you? No worries, there’s a list of more ideas below.

First, this is an experiment I tried on a wood table which had old permanent marker stains. Another several years old abuse. I decided to try toothpaste and they lifted quite nicely.

What I Did: I simply rubbed some in, left it for a minute or two and then took a soapy, wet dishcloth (excess water squeezed out) and rubbed out the stains going with the direction of the grain of the wood. I had to apply some pressure, but it worked!

Caution: Be careful about using toothpaste, make sure to choose a regular kind that doesn’t contain any abrasives. Especially when working on items with a fine finish (such as wood furniture) since you don’t want to scratch the surface.

Extra Tips:

Here are more helpful tips (for use on wood, walls, floors, clothing–all kinds of things):

Color over spot with a dry erase marker, wipe it off and it should pull up the ink too.

Try erasing with a pencil eraser.

Spray sunscreen over top (don’t leave on wood too long or there may be damage).

Apply a bit of hair spray.

Spray insect repellent over the ink.

Mix 3/4 cup household ammonia with 1 quart water and soak the clothing or laundry item in the solution (tie up the pail of cleaner with the clothing in a plastic garbage bag for 24 hrs).

Wipe them away with baby wipes.

Hand sanitizer gel rubbed into the spot then washed away does a nice job.

...culled from tipnut

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