Whether you drop a marker in your lap or your kids unexpectedly display their artistic skills on the walls, permanent marker accidents happen. Although these type of stains aren’t the easiest to deal with, we’ve found handy solutions—from alcohol to a simple splash of cold water—that will save your woodwork, clothing, and more. Check out our roundup of how to remove permanent marker from almost any surface.
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Brick
For permanent marker on brick, clean with baking soda by making a 50-50 solution mixed with water. Work into permanent marker stain with a soft-bristle brush. Let sit for five minutes. Rinse the brick surface. If the stain remains, apply hydrogen peroxide, bleach diluted with water (follow the directions on the bottle), or a multipurpose waterless mechanic's hand cleaner (follow the manufacturer's instructions). Wait for a few minutes and rinse with clear water.
Canvas
For permanent marker on canvas upholstery, blot the stain with rubbing alcohol until removed. (Test on an inconspicuous part of the upholstery first to make sure colors do not run.) Sponge with clear, cold water. Blot dry. Note: Follow any instructions on the upholstery's label as well.
To remove a permanent marker stain from other canvas items, rinse it under a steady stream of cold water until water runs clear. Blot stain with rubbing alcohol (test on an inconspicuous spot first), rinse, and properly air-dry. Wash according to the garment's or item's label. Air-dry, and repeat if necessary. Check to make sure the stain is gone before drying according to the directions on the label.
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Carpet
To remove permanent marker from natural-fiber carpet, treat with a consumer dry-cleaning solvent, according to the manufacturer's instructions, then blot dry. Wait 15 minutes before dabbing with warm sudsy water. After 15 minutes, blot dry with a warm wet cloth and repeat if necessary.
For synthetic carpet, you'd follow the same instructions mentioned above, but dab with a cloth dipped in cleaning solvent or acetone-free nail polish remover.
Ceramic Tile
To remove permanent marker from ceramic tile, wipe the stain with warm sudsy water. Then dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab before wiping with water again. Rinse and dry. If stain remains, carefully draw over the mark with a dry-erase marker, then rub it with a clean, dry cloth. If you can still see the scribbles, simply apply white, non-gel toothpaste and baking soda on top. Let dry and wipe with water until dry.
Chenille
To remove permanent marker from chenille upholstery, blot the stain with rubbing alcohol until it is removed. (Test it first on a tiny spot to make sure colors do not run.) Sponge with cold water and blot dry.
For washable chenille, rinse the stain under a steady stream of cold water until the water runs clear. Then, dab the stain with rubbing alcohol, rinse, and wash according to the garment label's directions. Check to see if the stain remains before drying as directed.
Concrete
To remove permanent marker from concrete, you'd basically follow the instructions for brick materials. Make a 50-50 solution of baking soda and water. Work into permanent marker stain with a soft-bristle brush. Let sit for five minutes. Rinse the concrete surface with clear water. If that doesn't work, go for hydrogen peroxide, bleach diluted with water, or a multipurpose waterless mechanic's hand cleaner.
Corduroy
Blot the permanent marker stain with rubbing alcohol until it is removed from the corduroy upholstery. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.
To remove marker stains from washable corduroy, rinse the piece of clothing under a steady stream of cold water until the water runs clear. Blot stain with rubbing alcohol (test on an inconspicuous spot first), rinse, and wash according to the garment label's directions. Check to see if the stain remains before drying as directed.
Cork
Buff the permanent marker stain out of the cork surface with a microfiber cloth. If this doesn't work, carefully draw over the marker with a dry-erase marker. Wait a few seconds before wiping clean. Repeat as necessary. If the stain remains, apply a little rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab, being careful to apply it to the stain only. Wipe with a damp cloth, then wipe dry.
Cotton
For permanent marker on cotton upholstery, blot the stain with rubbing alcohol until removed. (Always test first to avoid further damages.) Sponge with clear cold water and blot dry.
To treat permanent marker on cotton clothes or towels, place stain facedown on paper towels. Sponge rubbing alcohol on and around the back of the stain. Change out paper towels as they absorb the stain. Rinse with clear cold water.
Laminate Floor
Place a drop of rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth and apply to stain. Be careful to apply to the permanent marker stain only. Wipe the floor with a barely damp cloth, then immediately wipe dry.
The Ultimate Guide to Removing Every Type of Fabric Stain from Clothing
Linen
For permanent marker on linen upholstery, blot the stain with rubbing alcohol until removed. Then, use a sponge with clear cold water and blot dry.
To remove a permanent marker stain from washable linen, rinse item under a steady stream of cold water until water runs clear. Blot stain with rubbing alcohol, rinse, and air-dry. Repeat if necessary.
Linoleum and Natural Resilient Floorings
To remove a permanent marker stain, dab the spot with rubbing alcohol (test on an inconspicuous spot first). Rinse; let dry.
Painted walls
Start by treating the permanent marker stain with warm sudsy water and multipurpose household cleaner, according to the manufacturer's instructions. If they don't do the trick, dab the stain with a cotton ball that is damp with rubbing alcohol. Blot with water, then pat dry.
Silk
To remove permanent marker from silk, dab carefully with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. Dry immediately with a hair dryer set to low. Repeat as stain lifts before blotting with water when it's gone.
Stainless Steel
Carefully draw over the mark with a dry-erase marker. Wipe with a soft, clean cloth. If the stain remains, dab the stain with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Wipe dry.
Suede
This is a tricky stain and is best left to a professional cleaner. Point out the stain to your cleaner when you drop off the item.
Velvet
Blot the permanent marker stain with rubbing alcohol until it is removed from the upholstery. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.
To remove a permanent marker stain from washable velvet, rinse the stain under a steady stream of cold water until the water runs clean. Blot stain with rubbing alcohol, rinse, and wash according to the garment label's directions.
Vinyl
To remove a permanent marker stain, dab the spot with rubbing alcohol (test on a small spot first). Rinse; let dry.
Wool
For wool, try cleaning with white vinegar. Mix a solution of 1 teaspoon neutral detergent and 1 teaspoon white vinegar in a quart of warm water. Blot stain on the wool surface with clear water. Repeat as long as stain lifts. If stain remains, blot with rubbing alcohol or a consumer dry-cleaning solvent.
