How to Get Washable Marker Out of Carpet? – 6 Solutions

It is every carpet owner’s nightmare: you turn your back for one second and your little one has decided to draw all over it. Or, maybe you are the one who has accidentally dropped a marker on the carpet.

Either way, you are now wondering how to get washable marker out of carpet without having to resort to harsh chemicals. Don’t worry, we have got you covered. In this article, we will share with you the six best methods.

6 Ways to Clean Washable Marker Off Carpet

Option 1: Rubbing Alcohol

What to Prepare

Rubbing alcohol is good at cleaning many types of marker stains, including those that come from washable markers. Here are the steps you need to take:

Using a wet paper towel, blot the stain as soon as you notice it. This will lift some fresh color and prevent the ink from drying. Dried marker stains are more difficult to deal with.

Spritz rubbing alcohol on a sponge, then use it to blot the stain. Use light but firm pressure. But do not rub the stain, as it will cause smudging and smearing. You should do this until the marker stain is mostly faded.

Apply a bit of mild liquid dishwasher soap to the stain. Just use enough to cover the inked area. Next, use a paper towel to scrub gently. Once the stain totally disappears, you can proceed to the next step.

Rinse the treated area with cold water to remove any residue. Take time to do this thoroughly!

Finally, blot the area dry with a dry cloth. You may have to wait for the carpet to completely dry, but even if this is the case, do not try to apply direct heat to speed up the process.

Option 2: Hand Sanitizer

What to Prepare

Hand sanitizer consists of alcohol, which can help you clean washable marker ink. A good thing about using hand sanitizer is that you will not need a lot.

It has a gel-like consistency, so you will only need a dollop to get the job done. Plus, it is not runny; you will never have to worry about making a mess.

Option 3: Oil-Free Hairspray

What to Prepare

Hairspray typically has alcohol, which helps break down the ink staining your carpet. As a result, you can easily blot out the stain. However, you need an oil-free one. Hairspray with oil can settle in your carpet and collect grime!

Shake your hairspray for a pressure build-up, then hold it a few inches away from the stain. Spray an ample amount and give it several minutes to sit.

With a clean cotton ball, blot the stain until the ink fades. Make sure you take the time to do this thoroughly.

Option 4: Nail Polish Remover

What to Prepare

Nail polish removers that contain acetone can help you deal with washable marker stains. Thus, it can get Crayola marker out of carpet or skin.

Acetone dissolves the ink molecules and causes them to liquefy. As such, you can easily remove them by blotting them with a dry cotton ball.

If you do not want to pour acetone directly onto the stain, you can drizzle it on a cotton ball first, then use the ball for blotting.

However, if done carelessly, nail polish remover can make a mess. You may accidentally transfer the ink to other parts of your carpet.

The trick is to set a dry cloth under the carpet before you apply the nail polish remover over the stain. It will help you absorb any excess liquid.

Option 5: Vinegar and Baking Soda

What to Prepare

You can count on these ingredients to get Crayola marker off carpet or deal with any other brands of washable markers. Vinegar and baking soda are relatively affordable and easy to find.

They are also the go-to ingredients for those who want to clean marker stains without rubbing alcohol. Many people also use them to get dried ink out of carpet.

Blot the stain with a paper towel or sponge while it is still wet to lift as much color as possible. If you are using a paper towel, you might need more than one sheet.

Transfer white vinegar into a spray bottle for easy application. Spritz generously on the stain and soak it well. Next, use a clean cloth to spread the spritzed vinegar throughout the stained area.

Sprinkle some baking soda atop the stain. Then, wait a few minutes for the baking soda to settle.

Alternatively, you can mix vinegar and baking soda in a bowl with a 1:1 ratio. Then, use a sponge or toothbrush to transfer it onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.

Scrub the stain away using a clean wet sponge. This can take a bit of time, so be patient! Diligent scrubbing goes a long way.

Check that the stain is completely gone. Then, rinse the treated area with cool water.

Option 6: Rug/Carpet Stain Remover

What to Prepare

Stain removers are made for this very specific purpose. So there is no doubt that they can get the job done. Some people dislike them because they are necessarily friendly to the environment but if you have one readily available or do not have the time to experiment with different methods, it is fine to avail of them. Some well-known brands are:

Stain removers from these brands all come with distinct usage instructions, so make sure to read through and follow them closely. When in doubt, reach out to the manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What will take the marker out of the carpet?

You can use rubbing alcohol, hairspray, hand sanitizer, nail polish remover, vinegar and baking soda, or a stain remover to remove marker stains from carpets.

How to get Crayola washable markers off carpet?

With a sponge, a little alcohol, and some shampoo, the marker stains will be gone in no time! Just be sure to follow the directions on your shampoo and change out your sponge regularly. If the stain persists, no problem! Use Capture Spot and Soil Remover.

Note: For more details, visit the brand’s site and check out the Crayola Supertips section.

How to get Texta off carpet?

Stains from Textas labeled “washable” can be removed relatively easily. Soaking in cool water and then blotting with a paper towel is usually the way to go about it. If it does not work, a small amount of white spirits should do the trick!

Does rubbing alcohol bleach the carpet?

No! Rubbing alcohol will not cause your carpet to whiten or ruin its color in any other way. It is in fact one of the best things you can use to clean a carpet.

Rubbing alcohol evaporates without leaving residue, does not soak into the carpet to accumulate grime, and the only way you can go wrong with it is by scrubbing an area with it too hard.

How to get red marker out of white carpet?

You can try any of the above methods to do this. However, if none of them work, consider using hydrogen peroxide.

You can easily buy hydrogen peroxide at a drugstore and use it to get marker out of carpet. It works by breaking the red ink molecules and making it easy to clean. You just need to apply a bit of the solution to the stain and let it soak.

Then, use a clean cotton ball to blot the area. Generally, hydrogen peroxide is mild and will not ruin your carpet. However, it is safe to do a patch test on an inconspicuous spot beforehand. If it does not seem to bleach your carpet, you can go ahead and use it.

How to restore a bleached carpet?

Consider using carpet markers for bleach stains or carpet dye markers. They can add color back to your whitened carpets. There are many options both offline and online.

Conclusion

As you have read, there are many ways to restore a carpet that is stained with washable markers. You can use any of the above methods, depending on the materials you have at hand.

Let us know which you choose and how well it worked for you. We look forward to hearing from you in the comments! Also, please share this article to help others learn how to get washable marker out of carpet.