How to Remove Set in Permanent Marker
Permanent marker stains can be tricky to remove once they have set in. Although not impossible, a bit more work is required to remove set in permanent marker as opposed to fresh. Whether on clothing, upholstery or a hard surface, set in permanent marker may require several attempts to successfully remove the stain.

Things You Will Need
- Old towels and rags
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton balls
- Laundry pretreatment spray
- Water
- Dish soap
- Pink eraser
- Non-acetone nail polish remover
- White toothpaste
Warning
Always test the product you are using on a small, inconspicuous area to make sure that it will not damage or discolor the fabric or surface.
Clothing
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Place the stained area of the clothing face down onto an old towel. Soak the stained area with rubbing alcohol. Allow it to sit on the fabric for a few minutes.
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Blot the back side of the stain with a cotton ball. Apply pressure while blotting to push the stain from the clothing onto the towel. Switch to a clean cotton ball as one becomes soiled with the marker.
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Continue blotting until the marker no longer transfers to the cotton ball. Apply more alcohol as needed.
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Spray the clothing with a laundry pretreatment spray. Launder the clothing as usual. Inspect the clothing prior to drying for any sign of the marker stain.
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Repeat the process, if necessary, until there is no trace of the permanent marker stain.
Hard Surfaces
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Wipe down the surface with a rag and hot, soapy water. This may be all that is necessary to remove the marker from a hard surface.
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Use a pink eraser to remove the marker from a hard surface. Rub the eraser lightly over the marker until it disappears. Use the eraser gently and with caution: it may damage some surfaces or finishes.
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Moisten a rag with non-acetone nail polish remover if the marker stain remains on the surface. Wipe the surface with the rag, applying gentle pressure and using a circular motion. Switch to clean portions of the rag as the marker begins to lift from the surface.
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Wipe down the surface again with a rag and soapy water. Follow up with a dry rag.
Carpet and Upholstery
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Moisten a rag with rubbing alcohol. Blot the rubbing alcohol onto the marker stain.
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Allow the alcohol to sit on the stain for several minutes. Blot the stain forcefully with the towel, switching to clean parts of the towel as it becomes soiled.
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Continue blotting until no more ink transfers onto the towel. Clean the area with soapy water or carpet and upholstery cleaner. Rinse the area with plain water.
The Drip Cap
- Permanent marker stains can be tricky to remove once they have set in.
- Whether on clothing, upholstery or a hard surface, set in permanent marker may require several attempts to successfully remove the stain.
- Allow it to sit on the fabric for a few minutes.
- Apply more alcohol as needed.
- Wipe down the surface with a rag and hot, soapy water.
- Switch to clean portions of the rag as the marker begins to lift from the surface.
- Blot the rubbing alcohol onto the marker stain.
References
Writer Bio
Kimbry Parker has been writing since 1998 and has published content on various websites. Parker has experience writing on a variety of topics such as health, parenting, home improvement and decorating. She is a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts in organizational communication.
Photo Credits
- marker image by Rich Johnson from Fotolia.com
- marker image by Rich Johnson from Fotolia.com
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