How to Quickly Remove Dry Erase Marker Stains from Clothes

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Spot-clean EXPO ink from any kind of fabric with these simple steps

Co-authored by Kamel Almani and Cheyenne Main

Last Updated: October 5, 2024 Fact Checked

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Using Rubbing Alcohol or Nail Polish Remover

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Using Murphy's Oil

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Some dry-erase markers are washable, meaning any stains can be scrubbed out of clothing with water. However, EXPO and other markers contain pigments that get trapped in clothing and other porous surfaces. Luckily, you can use rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, or Murphy’s Oil soap to remove the stain. Simply dab the stain with the cleaner, use an absorbent towel to soak up the ink, and throw it in the washing machine as normal. Keep reading to learn how to make your clothing stain-free in seconds.

Best Way to Remove Dry Erase Marker from Fabric

Rinse the stain with cold water until the water runs clear, then place a thick towel underneath the stained layer. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a clean sponge or cloth and blot the stain, then dab the area with a towel to soak up the ink. Wash the item separately, following the item’s laundry label.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Rubbing Alcohol or Nail Polish Remover

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1
Rinse the stain with cold water until the water runs clear. While some dry-erase markers are washable and come out with water, others require more treatment to get the marks out. If the stain comes out immediately with cold water, you’re good to go! If it doesn’t, continue reading.
- If you have access to the marker that made the stain, see if the label says “Washable.” If it does, you can throw the clothing in the washing machine and wash as normal.
- This method also works well for leather shoes and clothing items.
2
Place the stained layer on top of a towel. Put the clothing item down on a flat surface. Place a clean absorbent towel directly underneath the layer of clothing with the stain to make sure the marker doesn’t bleed onto other parts of the item.
- For example, if you have a t-shirt with a stain on the collar, place the towel inside the collar underneath the layer with the stain.
- Try to use an old towel you don’t mind getting stained with ink. Alternatively, place the stain facedown on 4 to 5 paper towels and apply the rubbing alcohol to the back of the stain.^{[1]
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3
Apply rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover and dab the stain with a cloth. Laundry and cleaning specialist Kamel Almani says to apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol (or nail polish remover) on a clean sponge or cloth and gently blot the stain, then “dab [the area] with an absorbent towel” to soak up the ink.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Kamel Almani
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.} Repeat until the stain is gone.
- Alternatively, spray hairspray on the stain and dab with a clean absorbent cloth until all the ink is removed. You can also use hand sanitizer.^{[3]
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- For super stubborn stains, try filling a sink with warm water and 1 cup of white vinegar, mixing it up, and soaking the clothing for about 15 minutes.
4
Wash the clothing item separately in the laundry as usual. Laundry and cleaning specialist Kamel Almani says that once the stain is treated, you can wash the garment in a separate load of laundry as usual.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Kamel Almani
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 9 April 2021.} Check the item’s label for any specific cleaning instructions you may have to follow.
- Washing the item separately ensures that the rubbing alcohol and any leftover ink don’t stain other clothing.
- After the item comes out of the washer, check to make sure the stain is completely gone before drying. A hot dryer can set the stain, making it harder to remove.^{[5]
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- If the marker stain doesn’t come out, try this method again or use the method below. If the stain still stays, you may have to take the clothing item to a professional dry cleaner.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Murphy's Oil

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1
Rinse the item with cold water and place an absorbent towel under the stain. Rinse the stain with water until no more ink comes out. Place the clothing item on a flat surface and put an old absorbent towel underneath the layer of fabric with the stain. The towel prevents the rest of the clothing item from staining as you remove the ink.^{[6]
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- Scrub the stain gently as you rinse the stain to see if the marker is washable—if it is, the ink should come out with water.
- Make sure the towel is thick enough to absorb excess moisture. Alternatively, place the stain facedown on 4 to 5 paper towels and apply the Murphy’s Oil to the back of the stain.^{[7]
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2
Dip a toothbrush or sponge in Murphy's Oil and scrub the stain. Pour a small amount of Murphy’s Oil into a bowl. Saturate a damp unused toothbrush or sponge in Murphy's Oil. Rub at the stain, adding new oil as necessary, until suds appear. Keep rubbing until the stain is faded.^{[8]
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- Murphy’s Oil doesn’t contain any active oils. Murphy’s Oil is a soap for cleaning wooden floors that’s named that way because pine oil is used as the raw material.^{[9]
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- You can also use your fingernail to gently rub the oil into the stain.
- For stubborn stuck-on stains, let the oil set for a few minutes before you start scrubbing.
3
Wash the stain with soap and rinse with water. Take a cloth or sponge and dip it in water and mild dish soap or laundry soap. Rub the stain with a cloth or sponge until it comes out completely. Then rinse the clothing item with clean water.
- Alternatively, use a wet clean sponge to remove the Murphy’s Oil and soap from the garment.
4
Wash the clothing in the laundry machine separately. Once the stain is removed and you've rinsed out the garment, check the label for the item’s specific cleaning instructions and launder as usual.^{[10]
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Research source} When it comes out of the wash, the stain should be completely gone.
- Check the item after it comes out of the washer to see if the stain is gone before popping it in the dryer. A hot dryer can set the stain, making it harder to remove.^{[11]
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- If the stain isn’t gone, try this method again, use the rubbing alcohol method, or take the garment to a professional dry cleaner.

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Question

What if the dry erase marker stain has been there for months?

Ruah

Community Answer

It might be a little tougher to remove if it's been there for awhile. Just use the same procedure as you would otherwise, and it should eventually come out.

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Is a whiteboard marker the same as a dry erase marker?

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Yes, these are the same. A dry erase marker is often used to write or draw on whiteboards.

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Tips

Test the cleaning product you're using on a small unseen patch of clothing and wait about an hour. If the patch isn’t discolored or damaged, the product is safe to use to remove the stain.

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