How to Remove Permanent Marker from Any Surface

Using a permanent marker can be risky - one small misstep can ruin something. There are some unsightly marks left by permanent markers in your house right now, and you can deal with it in a few ways I've covered below.

Clothing

Before tossing your permanent marker-stained clothes into the trash, try dabbing the spot with hairspray that contains alcohol. It will help to break down the stain more aggressively than your normal laundry detergent. Let the hairspray sit on the stain for several minutes before washing in the washing machine.

Sofa and Chair Cushions

Accidentally leaving permanent markers on your upholstery may seem like a disaster but sprinkling some baking soda on the markers and scrubbing with a toothbrush will do the trick. Repeat this simple process until the stain is completely removed.

Wall

Lemon is a well-known natural cleaner in the home, and lemon essential oil is great for removing permanent markers from painted walls. The acidic lemon and oil work together to gently lift the stain from the surface without removing the paint. Plus, it smells delicious!

Leather

Permanent markers can be easily removed from leather surfaces using distilled white vinegar. Let the vinegar sit on the stain for a few minutes to make sure it penetrates. Then wipe off the stain with a damp cloth and circular motions.

Whiteboard

Accidentally using a permanent marker on a whiteboard is a common mistake that's actually easy to fix. To remove stains, paint over permanent marker stains with a whiteboard marker, then wipe away easily with a whiteboard eraser.

Skin

Do you have a marker pen leaking from your hand while writing? Sure, it's frustrating, but it's also easy to wipe off with makeup remover wipes. Simply rub the wipes in a circular motion over the stain to remove the stain from the skin. Another option is standard rubbing alcohol, but this may irritate sensitive skin.

Kitchen Cabinet

Save your kitchen cabinets from permanent marker doodles with vegetable oil. Apply it to the stain with a cotton ball and rub it away in circular motions. Repeat as needed until the mark disappears; then wipe off excess oil with a damp cloth.

Plastic

Continue to mark your plastic containers with permanent markers. When you want to remove it, just reach for some hand sanitizer. A sip of hand sanitizer on the stain with a paper towel should wipe it off right away.