If you have ever had to remove permanent markers from a couch, then you know that it’s not an easy task. The ink is resistant to most chemicals, and most scrubbing techniques just leave the marker on the surface.
So, in this blog post, we will show you how to remove permanent marker from couch safely and effectively. We have 9 methods in total. Read on!
Table of Contents
9 Ways to Get Permanent Marker Off Couch
01 For a Leather CouchOption 1 - WD-40
This commercial product can help you get permanent markers off leather.
What you will need to prepare:
- WD-40
- A sponge
- A cloth
What you will need to do:
- Grab your WD-40 and uncap it to spray the permanent marker stain on your leather couch.
- Let it work its magic for at least 30 seconds.
- Use a sponge to scrub the spot that has been sprayed. Continue sponging the spot until all the ink fades.
- Spray more WD-40 and repeat cleaning steps if necessary.
- Go over the treated spot with a fresh cloth. Make sure it is blotted dry.
Option 2 - Hairspray
Aside from styling your hair, this comes in handy when you want to get Sharpie out of couch.
What you will need to prepare:
- Hairspray
- Some cottons balls or cotton pads
- A cloth
What you will need to do:
- Take your hairspray and give it a good shake.
- Spritz it over the permanent marker stain on your couch. Feel free to be generous.
- Use a cotton ball or cotton pad to dab the spot that you have just saturated with hairspray.
- Work the stain off slowly. Switch to a new cotton ball when the one you have been using dulls in color.
- Continue until your couch is completely clean.
- If the spot is wet when you are finished, dry it with clean cloth in blotting motions.
Option 3 - Spray Sunscreen
Sunscreen in spray-formula is a surprisingly effective permanent marker remover.
What you will need to prepare:
- Spray sunscreen
- A slightly damp cloth
What you will need to do:
- Grab your spray sunscreen and hold it about a palm’s length from the permanent marker stain on your couch.
- Spray the stain, covering it generously.
- Give it a few minutes to settle and loosen up the permanent marker ink.
- Wipe the treated area with a slightly damp cloth. The stain should disappear along with the sunscreen.
- Repeat the steps as many times as you need until the stain is gone completely. Make sure you use a clean cloth for step 4 each time.
Option 4 - Baby Wipes
What you will need to prepare:
- Baby wipes
What you will need to do:
There are two ways you can use baby wipes to remove Sharpie from couch.
- Use the baby wipes to scrub the permanent marker ink directly. This should work for light stains.
- Soak the baby wipes in rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. Let it sit on top of the stain for a bit, loosening it. Then, use it to wipe off the marker ink. This is preferable for stubborn stains.
Note: The number of applications depends on the size of the stain and how long it has been on your couch.
Option 5 - Vinegar, Soap & Water
Remove permanent marker from upholstery with this DIY solution.
What you will need to prepare:
- Vinegar
- Soap
- Water
- A bowl or similar container
- A cloth
What you will need to do:
- Mmix 2 cups of vinegar, 3 tablespoons of soap, and water.
- Soak a sponge in the solution that you have just made. Make sure it is not dripping wet, though.
- Rub the permanent marker stain on your couch with the soaked sponge.
- Work the ink off slowly. Re-soak the sponge if necessary.
- When the stain disappears, blot dry the spot with a fresh cloth.
Instead of making the solution in a bowl or similar container, you can do it in a spray bottle. Then, spritz the permanent marker stain with it and proceed with scrubbing.
Option 6 - Toothpaste & Baking Soda
Toothpaste and baking soda together can get Sharpie off of furniture made of fabric.
What you will need to prepare:
- White toothpaste
- Baking soda
- A mixing bowl or similar container
- An old toothbrush
- A cloth
What you will need to do:
- In a mixing bowl or similar container, add equal parts of toothpaste and baking soda. Combine the two well with an old toothbrush.
- Load the same toothbrush with a generous amount of the mixture and apply it to the permanent marker stain on your couch.
- Scrub the spot gently in circular motions. The ink should fade as you scrub.
- Continue scrubbing until the permanent marker stain disappears completely.
- Wipe the treated spot with a fresh, wet cloth. Check that there are no residues.
Option 7 - Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish remover is another item lying around the house that you can use to get Sharpie out of upholstery.
What you will need to prepare:
- Nail polish remover
- Some cotton balls or cotton pads
- A cloth or some paper tissues
What you will need to do:
- Apply a reasonable amount of nail polish remover to the spot that needs treating.
- Blot the spot with a cotton ball or pad. The goal is to absorb as much as possible.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 with a new cotton ball or pad each time.
- Stop when the permanent marker stain is completely gone.
- Blot dry the spot with a fresh cloth or some paper tissues to finish.
Another option is to apply the nail polish remover to the cotton ball or pad, then use that ball or pad for blotting.
Option 8 - Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol removes Sharpie stains from fabric.
What you will need to prepare:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Some cotton balls or cotton pads
- A cloth
What you will need to do:
1. Apply some rubbing alcohol to the stain on your couch. You can do this in two ways:
-
- Pour it directly over the stain. Saturate the stain completely.
- Pour it on a cotton ball or cotton pad. Soak it well.
2. If you went with pouring over the stain, use a cotton ball or pad to press against the spot. If you went with pouring it on a cotton ball or pad first, use that ball/pad to press against the spot.
3. Blot the spot to “suck out” ink. The stain should fade slowly.
4. Continue blotting until there are no traces of the stain left.
Note: The alcohol should dissipate by itself, leaving your couch dry. But if for some reason, the spot is damp, blot-dry it with a clean cloth.
Option 9 - Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
What you will need to prepare:
- A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
- Some paper tissues
What you will need to do:
- Take the magic eraser from its package.
- Then, run it under water. Once it is completely soaked, squeeze it to release excess water. It should be damp but no longer dripping wet.
- Use the wet magic eraser to scrub the permanent marker ink stain on your couch.
- Work the ink from the material using firm pressure and circular motions. Continue until the couch is clean.
- If the treated area is wet when you finish, blot-dry it with a few paper tissues.
Note: You can re-wet the magic eraser as you scrub.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you get permanent markers out of furniture?
Yes. Even though it might take some trial and error, it is definitely possible to erase marker stains from furniture. For example, you can get out a Sharpie stain from sofa with the techniques we have outlined above.
Can I use a magic eraser on a couch?
Absolutely. A magic eraser can help you erase Sharpie from couch. More specifically, you can use it to get Sharpie off fabric couch.
Conclusion
Now, you know multiple methods on how to remove permanent marker from couch. If you ever run into this, you will not have to fret about replacing your entire furniture piece. What methods sound like the best option to you? Tell us in the comments down below!