How to Easily Remove Sharpie from Any Surface Like a Pro

We’ve all heard stern warnings about being extra careful when using Sharpie markers, so it’s no surprise that seeing these smudges in unexpected places can give us a little panic.

Whether it’s an accidental slip of the hand or an art exhibit during your little one’s quiet time, the good news is that you can get Sharpies off almost any type of surface imaginable. more The good news? There are about six different methods to try, depending on the surface you’re working with.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to remove Sharpie pens from any surface in your home (including furniture) and how to implement each tactic.

How to Remove Sharpie from Fabric

There are many types of fabrics that can be affected by unwanted Sharpie stains, but the good news is that there are methods for removing them all. Rubbing alcohol is one of the most effective methods for removing permanent markers from many fabrics, but other effective methods for removing Sharpie stains from other surfaces include nail polish remover, hand sanitizer, and a few others.

Here’s how to remove permanent marker from fabric, along with other methods to remove Sharpie from other surfaces.

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Rubbing alcohol

Use rubbing alcohol on fabrics such as velvet, corduroy, cotton, linen, silk, and velvet. There are other surfaces that can use this method to remove marker stains by following the steps below:

1. Dip a cotton ball or two in rubbing alcohol.
2. Gently blot or blot the stain with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol.
3. Using a clean sponge, dip it in cold water and gently blot the stain to remove the alcohol.
4. Take a dry paper towel and blot the stain.

Nail polish remover

The acetone in nail polish remover makes it a great tool for removing marker stains because the chemical breaks down the pigments in the ink. Never use nail polish remover on fabric or furniture because it can bleach the surface.

1. Dip a cotton pad or two in nail polish remover and squeeze out excess water.
2. Gently blot or dab the stain with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover.
3. Using a clean sponge, dip it in cold water and gently blot the stain to remove the acetone.
4. Take a dry paper towel and blot the stain.

Hand sanitizer

Chances are you have a bottle or two of hand sanitizer lying around the house, making it a convenient way to remove Sharpie stains, especially since it contains strong alcohol. For the same reasons as nail polish remover, avoid using hand sanitizer on fabric or upholstery.

1. Apply enough hand sanitizer to the affected area to completely cover the stain.
2. Wipe stained area with a clean microfiber cloth.
3. To remove any remaining disinfectant, wipe the area with a damp cloth.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Vinegar is a natural ingredient that can be used to tackle a variety of cleaning needs, like Sharpie on fabrics like wool. For other surfaces that need something extra, like tiles, you can add baking soda to the mixture to help remove stains.

1. For wool, mix one tablespoon distilled white vinegar with one tablespoon neutral detergent in warm water and blot the stain.
2. For other surfaces, mix a homemade mixture of equal parts distilled white vinegar and baking soda.
3. Apply the mixture to the stain and let it sit for at least five minutes.
4. Rinse stain with cold water.

Hairspray

If you’re in a pinch, grab your favorite can of hairspray for a quick and easy Sharpie remover! Just make sure to stay away from surfaces like leather or wool so you don’t stain the surface with the alcohol content.

1. Spray hairspray over the entire stain.
2. Blot stains with a dry paper towel or microfiber cloth.

magic eraser

The magic eraser is useful when trying to erase Sharpie marks on some surface or other area. It’s pretty easy and quick; here’s how to do it:

1. Dip the magic eraser in water and wring out excess water.
2. Gently rub the eraser over the stained area.

How to Remove Sharpie from Wall

You can use almost any of the above methods to remove Sharpie stains from your walls. The important thing is to make sure you choose a method with a high alcohol content to break down the ink and to rub gently so as not to tear the paint.

How to Remove Sharpie from Carpet

Oil-free hairsprays or rubbing alcohol seem to work well on marker stains on carpet. Once your chosen method has removed the stain, rinse the area with water, but be sure to blot the stain dry so the water doesn’t sink into the fibers and cause mold.

How to Get a Sharpie Out of Plastic

You can treat any plastic surface that has felt marks with the alcohol method first. This will take care of the marks, but if they remain, try cleaning the area with hydrogen peroxide afterward.

How to Remove Sharpie from Wood

Like walls, there are a number of methods you can try to remove Sharpie markers from wood surfaces. Rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, hand sanitizer, hairspray, and magic erasers all contain alcohol or acetone, which is needed to break down the ink on this surface.

If the stain remains after trying one of these methods, repeat the process.

How to Get a Sharpie Out of Glass

Glass is one of the easier surfaces to remove marker stains from because it is non-porous, so you can use nail polish remover or alcohol to remove it easily.

How to Get Sharpie Out of Brick

The tile surface will need the vinegar and baking soda method. When applying the mixture, make sure you use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the mixture into the material before leaving it for at least five minutes and then rinsing it off with water.

How to Remove Sharpie from Ceramic Tiles

If you find unsightly marker marks on the beautiful ceramic tiles along your kitchen backsplash or bathroom shower, use nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to remove them. To make these methods more effective, pretreat the area with warm, soapy water.

How to Remove Sharpie from Laminate Floors

You can use alcohol to remove stains from laminate floors, but be careful to only apply the product to the stained area to avoid discoloring the boards.

First, try dabbing alcohol onto a clean microfiber cloth and wiping it over the stain, leaving the affected area intact.

How to Remove Sharpie from Linoleum Floors

Similar to the surface above, rubbing alcohol should be used on linoleum to remove marker stains. Treat the material in the same way you would treat laminate flooring by first applying the product to a clean cloth and then wiping the area.

Don’t forget to rinse thoroughly after the stain has been removed to remove any remaining alcohol.

How to Remove Sharpie from Vinyl

To remove marker stains from vinyl surfaces, follow the same steps as above for linoleum floors.

How to Remove Sharpie from Stainless Steel

Stainless steel has a fun but clever way to erase marker marks. All you need is a dry erase marker (the kind you use on a whiteboard).

Mark off completely with dry erase marker and wipe clean with clean cloth.