Are you now staring at your children’s artwork around the house? Perhaps you are here because you want to know how to get permanent marker off walls and doors.
Sit back and relax, as this article will guide you in knowing the different methods to solve your predicament. Also, looking for the following cleaners won’t be a problem since they are easy to find in stores near you.
Table of Contents
Ways to Remove Permanent Marker from Walls and Doors
Method 1: Using Rubbing Alcohol
What to prepare?
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton pads
Rubbing alcohol with 70% to 99% isopropyl content is ideal for killing bacteria. In addition, do you know that it can also remove ink stains?
However, you also need to note that using this cleaning agent on a wood door or wall might not be a good idea. Isopropyl alcohol can ruin the wood finish.
- Dab just enough amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad.
- Gently rub the ink-stained surface with the cotton pad. You will notice how the cotton will immediately absorb some of the stains.
- Repeat this process until all the ink is gone.
A helpful tip in applying this method is rubbing inwards the stain instead of outwards so the permanent ink will not get smudged.
Do not also get carried away in putting alcohol on the cloth, so the ink will not flow to the lower part of the wall or door.
Possible alternatives are hand sanitizers containing isopropyl alcohol and acetone, a more potent chemical.
Method 2: Using WD-40
What to prepare?
- WD-40 Multi-Use Product
- Clean cloth
- Cotton pads
- Cleaning sponge
- A face mask and a pair of gloves
WD-40 Multi-Use products can effectively remove rust, dirt, grease, or stubborn stains. Thus, this cleaner is suitable for permanent marker removal from wall or doors.
- Wear a face mask and gloves as a safety precaution since you are dealing with strong chemicals.
- Grip a clean cloth under the ink stain.
- Spray a small amount of WD-40 on the permanent marker stain.
The purpose of the cloth placed right under the stain is to prevent the ink from smudging on the other wall or door surface.
- Gently scrub the stained surface in a circular motion with a cotton pad.
- For a better result, continue scrubbing to remove Sharpie from wall or doors.
- Wipe ink residue with a cleaning sponge, if any.
In addition, you can also use WD-40 to clean other surfaces like metal, fabric, plastic, glass, tile, and many more.
Method 3: Using Magic Eraser
What to prepare?
- Magic eraser
- Water
- Damp cloth
Have you ever heard of a magic eraser? It is a cleaning tool that resembles a sponge and can remove even the toughest stains by itself. It isn’t surprising that you can also get Sharpie off wall or doors with magic eraser.
Likewise, be careful in using this cleaning tool to clean off permanent marker stains from a painted door, wall, or table. Its rough texture might scratch the surface.
- Soak the magic eraser with water to activate the cleaning chemicals it contains. Ensure that there is no dripping water from the sponge to prevent smudging.
- Gently wipe the stained surface of the wall or door.
- Repeat the process until there is no trace of permanent ink left.
- Lastly, wipe the surface with a damp cloth to clean ink residue, if any.
Method 4: Using Dry Erase Marker
What to prepare?
- Dry erase marker
- Wet wipes
- Cleaning sponge (optional)
- Rubbing alcohol (optional)
Did you know that there is another interesting use of a dry erase marker aside from removing a permanent marker stain from a whiteboard?
That’s right! You can also use this marker on wall removal stains.
- Pick a dry erase marker the same color as the permanent marker used to draw or write the stain.
- Draw over the permanent marker stains with a dry erase marker.
- Thoroughly rub the stain spot with wet wipes until there is little or no stain left.
- Rub the surface again with a sponge with little alcohol to help remove stubborn ink residue.
Method 5: Using Lemon Essential Oil
What to prepare?
- Lemon essential oil
- Cotton pads
- Damp cloth
The citrusy scent of lemon makes it a natural air freshener. You can also use its juicy pulps to polish non-porous surfaces like metals and ceramics. Moreover, it is also famous for its cleaning and disinfecting properties.
Thus, a lemon essential oil can break down the ink’s particles from painted walls.
Therefore, you can wipe the surface worry-free without removing paint.
- Pour just the right amount of lemon essential oil on a cotton pad.
- Gently rub the stain with the cotton pad.
- Repeat the process until the surface is spotless.
- Wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove the oily texture from the wall or door.
Method 6: Using Baking Soda and Toothpaste
What to prepare?
- ½ cup baking soda
- Toothpaste
- Mixing bowl
- Old toothbrush
- Damp cloth
Baking soda with toothpaste is a well-known home remedy to achieve white and healthy teeth. You can also use this mixture to eliminate permanent ink stains on walls and doors.
- Pour ½ cup baking soda and squirt an equal amount of toothpaste into a mixing bowl.
- Then, mix the two ingredients thoroughly. And, tap the brush tip of the toothbrush into the mixture.
- Scrub the stained area in a circular motion so the ink will loosen from the wall or door.
- Continue scrubbing until the surface is spotless.
- Wipe the wall or door with a damp cloth to remove the sticky texture.
Conclusion
Indeed, there are multiple ways on how to get permanent marker off walls and doors. Cleaning agents like rubbing alcohol, WD-40, magic eraser, and lemon essential oil are always at your service.
Creative solutions like using dry erase markers and baking soda with toothpaste also await to be done to finally solve your problem.
Seeing annoying stains on conspicuous places like your walls and doors may ruin your day, but we hope this article was able to stop you from frowning. Hence, may you have an enjoyable day to keep you smiling!
Hi, I am Eveline Kessler, a content creator. My love for colors and arts draws me here to join the Intermediarts team with Leilani. I am responsible for testing new products and techniques with her and providing honest reviews and tips based on our experience. I have gained a lot of knowledge from this, and I believe you will find her suggestions to be invaluable as well.
