Removing Permanent Marker from Plastic, Metal, Fabrics, & More

Permanent marker is, by nature, a really tough stain to treat, probably because it's supposed to be permanent. However, with a bit of persistence and elbow grease, it’s possible to remove it from almost any surface. In this article, we’ll teach you all the best tips to remove permanent marker from various surfaces, including plastics and metals, fabrics, wood, skin, and more.

How to Remove Permanent Marker from Most Surfaces

Generally, permanent marker can be easily removed using rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, hand sanitizer, or hair spray. Simply apply your chosen cleaner to the stain and dab it with a clean cloth until the stain comes out. It may be necessary to wash the surface or fabric with soapy water afterward.

Section 1 of 6:

Removing Permanent Marker from Plastic and Metal

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Go over the stain with a dry erase marker. Trace over the entire permanent marker stain with a dry erase marker. Let it sit for a minute or so, then wipe over it with a whiteboard eraser or microfiber towel. This should take off most, if not all, of the permanent marker. If any remains, rub it with some rubbing alcohol to remove it.^{[1]
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- This method works on most non-porous surfaces, including whiteboards and stainless steel. It should also work to remove permanent marker from metal water bottles.
- Board cleaner or permanent marker remover can also get rid of permanent marker stains on whiteboards.
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Apply rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. Dampen a microfiber towel or cotton ball with a bit of alcohol or nail polish remover, then rub the stain to wipe it away. If the stain is particularly large, put your chosen cleaning agent in a spray bottle and spray the area, starting from the top and wiping to catch any drips.^{[2]
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- Rubbing alcohol wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work for this method.
- Another option is to apply essential oil extracts, like lemon or eucalyptus. Rub the area with oil and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping away. Note that concentrated oils can potentially damage painted or dyed surfaces. Cooking oil is a gentler option.
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3
Spray hairspray on the stain. The ingredients in alcohol-based hairsprays are often effective at dissolving stains. Simply spray the affected area, then blot it clean with a cloth or paper towel. Repeat the process as needed until the permanent marker is completely gone.^{[3]
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- While this is safe for most metals and plastics, the chemicals in some hairsprays may damage certain polymers. Test it in an inconspicuous area before using.
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Make a baking soda paste. Add a few drops of water to some baking soda to create a thick paste. Scoop some onto a toothbrush and scrub the stained area. Then, rinse with clean water and pat the surface dry. Repeat as needed until the stain is completely gone.^{[4]
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- For tough stains on hard plastic, dampen a cloth with hydrogen peroxide and sprinkle the stain with baking soda. Rub and blot the stain until it’s removed, then wash the plastic in warm, soapy water. Wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated space when handling hydrogen peroxide.
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Try dishwashing liquid. Dish soap can break down the components of permanent markers so they can be washed away with soap and water. Rub some liquid dish soap directly onto the stain on a non-porous surface. Dampen a clean cloth or towel and scrub the area until the stain lifts. This will likely take some elbow grease, so repeat the process as needed. If the stain is particularly stubborn, mix 1 tbsp of dish soap, 1 tbsp of white vinegar, and 2 cups of cold water.^{[5]
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- If you try this repeatedly and fail to wash it away, it could potentially damage metal.
- For another gentle option, try rubbing the stain with a pencil eraser. This won’t always be enough for stubborn stains, but it might make them a bit lighter.
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Spray sunscreen on the marker. Some people claim sunscreen is an effective tool for removing stains from non-porous substances. Spray sunscreen seems to work best, but bottled sunscreen can also work well. Simply spray or squirt a little of the sunscreen over the stain and use a clean cloth to work it into the stain.^{[6]
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- Other ways to remove permanent marker from plastics include commercial products like Goo-Gone or magic erasers.

Section 2 of 6:

Removing Permanent Marker from Clothes & Fabric

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Spray most fabrics with hairspray. If your everyday clothes or fabrics got stained with permanent marker, an easy solution is to spray the stain with an alcohol-based hairspray. Apply the hairspray directly onto the fabric and let it soak in for a few minutes. Then, wash the item in the washing machine.^{[7]
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- Be sure to check the care tag on your clothes. If they can’t be washed in a washing machine, hand wash them with cold water. If they’re dry-clean only, take them to a dry cleaner.
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Use rubbing alcohol or acetone on sturdy fabrics. Stains on sturdier fabric, such as towels and sheets, can be removed with a little acetone or rubbing alcohol. Simply pour a little of either of these liquids onto a clean cotton ball and use this to dab at the stain until it disappears. Wash the items immediately.^{[8]
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- This method may also work on softer fabrics, like clothing. Blot the stain from the back to avoid spreading it more deeply.
- Rubbing alcohol wipes are another effective option.
3
Mix vinegar and baking soda for most fabrics. Make a paste with equal parts white vinegar and baking soda, then apply the paste directly to the permanent marker stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wash it out with cold water. Sometimes, sprinkling baking soda alone and scrubbing it with a toothbrush will be enough to remove the stain.^{[9]
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- This paste can also be used to clean various surfaces, like dishes and counters.
- Vinegar also works well to remove permanent marker from shoes.
4
Use citrus juice on regular clothing. Citrus juice, like lemon or lime, can be used to gently remove marker stains from most items of clothing without fear of bleaching or staining. Simply apply a bit of freshly squeezed juice directly to the stain and dab with a cotton ball or clean cloth until it disappears.^{[10]
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- For more fragile fabrics, dilute the citrus juice to half strength with water first. Wash the item of clothing immediately.
- Another home remedy that removes marker from fabrics is soaking the stain in milk before washing the fabric regularly.
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Use bleach to remove permanent marker from white fabrics. Bleach discolors dyes and other colors, making them lighter or white, so this method should only be used on white fabrics. Dilute a very small amount of bleach in water and dip the stained part of the clothing into the liquid. The stain may come off immediately or may require soaking. Once the stain is gone, wash the item immediately as you normally would.^{[11]
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- If you need to soak the item, just keep an eye on the fabric to ensure the bleach doesn't begin to dissolve it.

Section 3 of 6:

Removing Permanent Marker from Carpet & Upholstery

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Try rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, or oil-free hairspray. Dampen a clean, white cloth with your choice of rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, or oil-free hairspray, then gently dab—don’t rub—the affected area until the stain is completely removed. When the cloth becomes saturated in ink, swap it out for a clean one to prevent the ink from spreading. Repeat as needed, then dry the area with a clean, dry cloth.^{[12]
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- While these are typically safe to use on carpet and upholstery, test them in an inconspicuous area first to make sure they don’t damage or discolor the fabric.
- Rubbing alcohol works well with canvas, chenille, corduroy, cotton, linen, and velvet upholstery.
- Hairspray works particularly well for leather upholstery. Once the stain has disappeared, clean off any hairspray residue with a clean, damp cloth and work a little leather conditioner into the furniture.
- In some cases, Windex can also remove permanent marker stains from upholstery. Just be sure to test it in a hidden area first.
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Apply a commercial dry-cleaning solvent. Follow the directions provided by your dry-cleaning solvent to apply it to the affected area. Then, for natural fibers, wait 15 minutes, then dab the area with warm soapy water. Wait another 15 minutes, then blot it dry with a warm, wet cloth. For synthetic fibers, use a cleaning solvent or acetone-based nail polish remover in place of the soapy water.^{[13]
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- Make sure the dry-cleaning solvent is designed for carpet or whatever upholstery you’re trying to clean. Test it in an inconspicuous area to be safe.
3
Try a white, non-gel toothpaste. Sometimes, home remedies can also remove permanent marker stains. Dab some white, non-gel toothpaste onto the stain with a clean cloth. Scrub the area and allow the toothpaste to dry. Then, blot it away with a damp cloth. Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone.^{[14]
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- Sometimes, mixing a bit of dish soap with the toothpaste can help.

Section 4 of 6:

Removing Permanent Marker from Walls

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Spray on some WD-40. Hold a cloth directly under the permanent marker stain to catch any drips, and spray WD-40 directly onto the stain. Wipe the stain away with a clean, dry rag, then wipe the wall down with a mixture of warm water and dish soap to remove the remaining WD-40.^{[15]
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- WD-40 is very volatile (evaporates a lot) and strong. Only use it outside or somewhere with great air circulation.
Dampen a magic eraser to activate it, then gently scrub the stain in circular motions. Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe away the stain and grit. Be careful when using this method, as scrubbing too hard might damage your wall’s paint.^{[16]
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Dampen a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol, then blot the stain. Work from the outside edges of the stain toward the center to keep the ink from spreading. Once all the ink has been removed, clean the wall with a sponge dipped in warm, soapy water, then rinse with a sponge dipped in clean water.^{[17]
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The acidity of lemon essential oils is a great way to remove permanent marker without damaging the paint on your walls. Dab some oil onto a clean cloth and start scrubbing the stain. When the cloth becomes saturated with ink, replace it with a clean one and continue rubbing until all the marks are gone.^{[18]
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Section 5 of 6:

Removing Permanent Marker from Wood

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1
Mix baking soda and toothpaste. Toothpaste and baking soda are great for removing permanent marker stains from wood flooring or furniture. Mix a little baking soda into white, non-gel toothpaste and use a sponge or makeup remover pad to apply it to the affected area. Rub the stain gently, following the grain of the wood. Wipe away the residue with a damp cloth and repeat as needed.^{[19]
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- If you don’t have toothpaste to spare, mix some baking soda with a few drops of water to create a similar paste. Apply it the same way. Toothpaste that already contains baking soda also works.
- House cleaning expert Guy Peters says, “Toothpaste is my favorite method for removing permanent marker from hardwood, and it works well for both finished and unfinished wood. Stick with toothpastes that include baking soda (Arm & Hammer is the best) and avoid gel toothpastes since they won’t work at all.”
- Peters also says, “While toothpaste is pretty mild, you’ll still want to test it in a hidden area first.”
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Try white vinegar and olive oil. In a bowl, combine equal parts white vinegar and olive oil. Dip a soft cloth in the mixture and rub it over the stain. Rinse with water and pat the wood dry with a towel. Repeat as necessary until the permanent marker has been removed. This also works well for general scuff marks and scratches.^{[20]
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- Make sure to use a soft cloth, like a microfiber cloth. Abrasive pads or brushes can damage the wood.
- Another option is to put some oil on a magic eraser and gently scrub the area. The oil should pull up stubborn stains. Just be careful not to scrub too hard so you don’t scratch or otherwise damage the wood.
Dab a bit of rubbing alcohol onto the permanent marker with a soft cloth, or spray the stain directly with hairspray. These options will help lift the stain, making it easier to wipe away with a clean, damp towel. Repeat as necessary until the stain is completely gone.^{[21]
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Section 6 of 6:

Removing Permanent Marker from Skin

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1
Use makeup remover wipes. Makeup remover wipes are gentle on the skin but strong enough to remove ink stains. Simply rub the wipe over the permanent marker in a circular motion to lift it. If you have liquid makeup remover, dab some onto a cotton ball and rub the area. When all the ink has been removed, rinse your skin with warm water.^{[22]
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- For other gentle options, try an oil like baby oil, coconut oil, or vegetable oil. Apply the oil directly to the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off.
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Try rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer in a pinch. As with most surfaces, rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, or hand sanitizer can effectively remove permanent marker from your skin. Dab some onto a paper towel, cotton ball, or cloth and rub the area until the ink is removed. Keep in mind that these chemicals can be a bit harsh and may irritate or dry out your skin. Wash your skin with soap and water afterwards and apply a moisturizer to help protect it.^{[23]
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- A faint mark may remain after you scrub the area, but this should fade after a shower or two.
Many people claim sunscreen is an effective way to remove permanent marker. Apply a heavy coat over the stain, then rub it in a circular motion with your fingertips. Keep rubbing until the marker has been dissolved, then wipe the remaining sunscreen off and rinse with warm water.^{[24]
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Sea salt has natural exfoliating qualities that can help remove ink stains. Massage the sea salt scrub into your skin so it starts to scrub away the permanent marker. Then, rinse it off and clean the area with soap and water.^{[25]
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How do I remove permanent marker from denim?

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You could use nail polish remover, hard hand sanitizer, diluted bleach, or hair spray.

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How do I remove permanent marker off my skin without rubbing alcohol (it gives me allergic reactions)?

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Mix face wash and your body soap together and rub it on your skin, then rinse with warm water. Repeat as necessary until you see results.

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How can I get permanent marker off a baby?

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It'll wash off, but if you want to remove it faster, use rubbing alcohol. Do not use hand sanitizer.

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Tips

If your kitchen or bathroom has modern countertops, it's likely that they're non-permeable. This means that the stain and cleaning solution should stay on the surface only. This can't be said for surfaces like untreated wood or less modern materials, so test a small spot before cleaning the whole stain.

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Try 99% isopropyl alcohol, 95 percent grain alcohol, acetone paint thinner, or even vegetable oil if nothing else is available.

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Acne pads work really well for removing marker from hard, non-porous surfaces and skin.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Whitening toothpaste and baking soda mixed into a paste works best on a whiteboard that's been stained with permanent marker.
Try soaking a magic eraser in rubbing alcohol, then gently scrub. This worked for me on metal window brackets.
Hand sanitizer works well if you have permanent marker on your skin.

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Warnings

Do not use alcohol or acetone around the eyes, nose or mouth of a person or animal. The torso and extremities should be a safe area but the sensitive skin on the face should not be exposed to the chemicals.

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Always test chemicals in inconspicuous areas before applying directly to the stain in case they damage the surface.

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