How to Get Permanent Marker Off Tile Floor

How to Get Permanent Marker Off Tile Floor
Written By
Mary Ylisela
Mary Ylisela
Published: Jun 30, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Tend to a permanent marker stain on your tile as quickly as possible for the easiest stain removal.

Things You Will Need

  • Whitening toothpaste
  • Old toothbrush
  • Clean cloth
  • Cotton ball
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Tile cleaner
    Whitening toothpaste effectively removes permanent marker stains.
  1. Squirt some whitening toothpaste over the permanent marker stain on your tile. Let the toothpaste sit on the marker spot for a minute or two.

  2. Dampen an old toothbrush with cool water. Scrub the whitening toothpaste into the permanent marker on your tile floor.

  3. Wipe away the toothpaste and permanent marker stain with a clean cloth, dampened with plain water.

  4. Cotton balls clean without scratching the surface.
  5. Tackle any remaining permanent marker stain on your tile floor by pouring rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. Rub the site of the permanent marker stain with the rubbing alcohol-soaked cotton ball to remove the traces of marker.

  6. Remove the rubbing alcohol from your tile surface by cleaning it with a tile cleaner made specifically for your type of tile.

The Drip Cap

  • Permanent marker contains a pigment that causes it to adhere to the surface where it's applied.
  • The permanency serves its purpose well when applied to the correct surface but when permanent marker ends up on your tile it leaves a stain or mark that detracts from the beauty of the tile.
  • Scrub the whitening toothpaste into the permanent marker on your tile floor.

Photo Credits

marker on dotted background image by .shock from Fotolia.com

marker on dotted background image by .shock from Fotolia.com

tube toothpaste image by Leonid Nyshko from Fotolia.com

Cotton Balls image by Towards Ithaca from Fotolia.com

Mary Ylisela

Mary Ylisela is a former teacher with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and mathematics. She has been a writer since 1996, specializing in business, fitness and education. Prior to teaching, Ylisela worked as a certified fitness…

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