Permanent markers are very useful, but are by their very nature – permanent! So it often causes a lot of stress when a marker gets used on the wrong surface – most often when a child accidentally gets hold of one. Don’t panic! We’ve got the answers…

Whiteboard

One of the most common issues is when a permanent marker gets used instead of a whiteboard marker on a whiteboard. This is also the easiest fix. You simply go over the permanent marker writing with a whiteboard marker and then wipe off!

Fabric & Upholstery

You can use any of the following – and sometimes try multiple options depending on the fabric involved:

• Rubbing alcohol
• Hand sanitizer
• Aerosol hairspray
• Nail polish remover
• WD-40
• White vinegar
• Cream of tartar
• Lemon juice
• Regular toothpaste (not gel)

It’s a good idea to use an old towel or paper towel behind the area you are cleaning to prevent the stain bleeding through onto other areas of the fabric. Dab the affected area with the stain remover of your choice using a cloth. Avoid rubbing as this can force the stain deeper into the fibres. Continue dabbing, adding more stain remover as you go until it disappears.


Be careful with delicate fibre’s – it may be best to trust these to the dry cleaners.

Wood

Rubbing alcohol, peanut butter or toothpaste are your weapons of choice for wood. First test on a hidden area to make sure it doesn’t affect the finish of the wood. Dab some of the stain remover onto the area and let it stand for 5 minutes. Dab with a damp cloth to remove and repeat until the stain is gone.

Leather

Hairspray, white vinegar and sunscreen are your options for leather. It’s best to treat the stain as soon as possible. Simply dab or spray and blot with a damp cloth to remove.

Laminate and other furniture

The same as the whiteboard trick above – you can use a whiteboard marker to go over the stain and simply wipe off from most high gloss surfaces. You can also try:

• Rubbing alcohol
• Nail polish remover
• Regular toothpaste
• Baking soda
• Pencil eraser
• WD-40

Carpets

Rubbing alcohol is your friend! Again – avoid rubbing and rather blot the area to avoid pushing the stain further into the fibres. A good trick for carpets is to lay a towel over the stain after you have dabbed with alcohol and then gently rub a hot cloth across the towel. This will lift the stain from the carpet on to the towel!

Walls

When toddlers get hold of permanent markers – walls are often the victim. You can use rubbing alcohol, hairspray, toothpaste or lemon essential oil – but be careful to avoid rubbing the paint off the wall by rubbing too hard.

Paper and books

Tricky to get right, but you can try a bit of nail polish remover – just don’t saturate the paper. Soak it up with a clean cloth. You might need to do this a few times until the stain is gone.

Glass

Simply put one of the following onto a paper towel and wipe the stains off:

• Regular toothpaste mixed with baking soda
• WD-40
• Nail polish remover
• Dry erase marker
• Rubbing alcohol

Skin

Another favourite of kids is to tattoo themselves with permanent marker. This comes off relatively easily with nail polish remover, shaving cream, sunscreen, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser.

Plastic and metal

To remove permanent marker from plastic bins, toys, furniture, and more, try any of the following items:

• Pencil eraser
• Sunscreen
• Dry erase marker
• Rubbing alcohol

Microfiber Upholstery

To clean any type of stain on microfiber upholstery, use rubbing alcohol and a damp sponge. Once the material is dry, use a brush to fluff up the fibres. You could also try using hydrogen peroxide or nail polish remover instead of alcohol.