How to Get Permanent Marker Off Tables, Couches, and More

Removing Permanent Marker from Wooden Furniture

Rubbing alcohol Dip a cotton ball or cloth in a little bit of rubbing alcohol. Dab the area lightly to saturate the spot and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a clean damp cloth to dab away the residue. Repeat until the stain is completely gone. Alternatively, use un-flavored vodka (or any clear spirit above 40% alcohol) or nail polish remover in place of rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol can remove varnish and damage wood if you use too much of it. Try not to apply too much rubbing alcohol to the area and avoid rubbing to remove the stain.

Toothpaste House cleaning professional Guy Peters suggests using toothpaste for finished and unfinished wood. Apply a dollop to the stain and use “a sponge or thick cloth” to “rub the area with small circles,” following the grain of the wood. “Use a damp cloth to remove any extra toothpaste and repeat as needed.” White baking soda toothpaste works best because it’s slightly abrasive. If you don’t have that, just add 1 teaspoon (6 g) of baking soda to 1 teaspoon of your regular toothpaste. However, Guy Peters recommends avoiding “gel toothpastes since they won’t work at all” for removing stains.

Aerosol hairspray Hairspray can loosen and lift permanent marker stains on painted wood. Simply spray the stained area with the hairspray, then wipe it away with a clean cloth. Be careful not to use hairspray on varnished wood because it could tarnish the surface. Alternatively, try this method using a spray-on sunscreen instead.

Dry erase board cleaner In small doses, dry erase board cleaners can help remove permanent marker from polished wood furniture. Spray the board cleaner directly on the stain and wipe with a clean cloth. Repeat as necessary to remove the marker. Increase the cleaning power of this method by going over the stain with a dry-erase marker using the board cleaner to remove both markers from the surface.

Baking soda Baking soda is a gentle agitator that can remove stains without damaging unfinished wood. Mix 2 parts baking soda and 1 part water to make a thick paste. Use a soft cloth to rub it into the permanent marker stain in circular motions. Wipe the excess paste away with a clean damp cloth. Try to avoid using this method on polished wood—the baking soda may scratch the surface.

Melamine foam (Magic Eraser) When used gently, melamine foam can help to remove marker stains off wood surfaces. Dampen the foam with water or use it dry to gently scrub the area until the stain is removed. Try to avoid scrubbing too hard—this could damage the finish on top of the wood.

Amodex ink and stain remover Amodex is a stain remover that can remove Sharpie and other permanent marker brands from the woodwork. Apply a thin coat of Amodex to the stained surface and rub it in with a dry melamine sponge or Magic Eraser. Remove residue with a damp clean cloth. For unfinished wood, apply a thin coat to the stained area and leave it on for several hours or overnight. Use a clean damp cloth to wipe away the stain. To clean finished wood, you can also try a non-abrasive cleaner like Bon Ami. Just sprinkle the product on the stain, lightly scrub with a damp cloth, and rinse thoroughly.

Sandpaper If the permanent marker stain is on a natural or unfinished wood surface, use a fine-grade (180 to 220 grit) sandpaper and sand the entire surface to avoid an uneven finish. The marker will gradually fade as you sand down the area. For larger permanent marker stains, try using a palm sander.

Removing Permanent Marker from Upholstery

Rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover Wet a cotton ball or paper towel with rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. Gently dab the stain until it’s saturated with the solution. Use a second cotton ball or paper towel to blot the stain. Repeat this process until it’s completely removed. Use a damp cloth to remove the excess alcohol, then allow the area to air dry completely. Rubbing alcohol works well on chenille, cotton, linen, vinyl, and velvet. Nail polish remover is a little more aggressive and may work best on thicker, more durable fabrics like canvas. If you’re dealing with leather, try testing hand sanitizer on an unseen corner to see how it reacts. If it goes well, apply it to the stain using this step.

Soap, vinegar, and water Mix 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of liquid dish soap and 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of distilled white vinegar in 2 cups (0.47 L) of water. Dip a clean cloth in the solution and dab at the stain. Leave the solution for at least 30 minutes, applying more every 5 minutes. Splash the stain with clean water and dab until dry. Vinegar is acidic, which makes it a great tool for removing permanent marker stains.

Amodex ink and stain remover In addition to wood furniture, Amodex can also remove permanent marker from fabric upholstery. Apply the product to the stained area and rub it in with a toothbrush or your fingernail until the ink is almost gone. Use a damp cloth to blot the area until the stain disappears. If you can remove the cover from your couch or sofa, throw it in the laundry after rubbing Amodex into the stain. Try to avoid wetting the area before applying Amodex—water might set the stain and make it harder to remove. If you tried another method before this, wait until the area dries first.

Removing Permanent Marker from Laminate or Metal Furniture

Rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover As you’ve seen above, rubbing alcohol and acetone nail polish remover can be great tools for breaking down permanent marker ink. Simply saturate a cotton ball or paper towel with one of the solutions and use it to wipe up the stain. After the marker is removed, rinse the area thoroughly with water. You can use rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover on laminate and metal surfaces.

Vegetable oil Believe it or not, vegetable oil can easily remove marker stains from laminate surfaces. Just dab some cooking oil on a paper towel, lay it over the stain, and let it sit for a few minutes. Remove the towel and use another paper towel dipped in vegetable oil to rub the stain in circular motions, applying pressure. Wipe the area with soap and water.

WD-40 WD-40 can be used to remove permanent marker from metal and laminate furniture. For metal surfaces, apply WD-40 to the stained area. Allow it to sit for a minute, rub the area in a circular motion until it smudges, then wipe the marker off with a dry paper towel. For laminate, apply the product and rub with a dry cloth until the marker is removed. If WD-40 doesn’t clean your laminate furniture, try drawing over the marker with a dry-erase marker, then wipe it off with a clean dry cloth. WD-40 also works for cleaning permanent marker off plastic surfaces.