Permanent markers are one of the many helpful stationery at home, school, office, and other settings. It is handy when you wish to write something that remains unerasable for a long time.
As incautious as we can sometimes be, we must be careful when and where to use permanent markers– because, as the term implies, the ink it produces is permanent!
Although permanent ink is difficult to erase on certain surfaces, there are a plethora of ways you can do it. Today, we are focusing on how to remove permanent marker from rubber. Read on!
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How Do Permanent Markers Work?
It is rather tricky to remove permanent marker stains because, well, they are made to be ‘permanent’ or at least ‘semi-permanent.’
Like most markers, their components are pigment or dye for color, a liquid solvent to allow ink to be absorbed by the nib, and resin for the ink to adhere to the surface.
And the last component, resin, is what makes permanent markers different from erasable inks! Permanent marker inks are non-washable and can withstand water. Thus, they are considered waterproof!
Given its permanent ink, these markers stay on most things like plastic, wood, metal, rubber, etc. Also, it’s pretty hard to remove permanent marker ink on rubber surfaces.
However, it is not impossible! Of course, you are not the only one experiencing this problem. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Best Ways on to Get Permanent Ink Off of Rubber
The go-to method people use when they want to clean something is good ol’ scrubbing using soap and water. However, this barely works when attempting to erase permanent ink on rubber.
So, here are the three other effective ways to remove ink from rubber using home products!
Method #1: Apply rubbing alcohol
What to prepare for this method:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Cotton balls and swabs
Rubbing alcohol can disintegrate ink due to its chemical formula that allows the process of dissolving to take place. That’s why alcohol is a typical antibacterial solvent used to clean many surfaces.
- Step 1: To remove pen ink from rubber, take a single cotton ball and apply a significant amount of rubbing alcohol. Say you want to remove permanent ink from a silicone phone case. Gently rub the cotton against the area with ink.
- Step 2: After several strokes, you’ll observe the ink from rubber phone case becomes lighter and less noticeable. You may want to add a few drops of alcohol again once the previously applied alcohol has dried up.
- Step 3: Use the cotton swab for the edges that are difficult to clean. Sosk the tip of the cotton swab to soak up the alcohol, and gently rub it against the intended edges.
Depending on your preferences, alcohol-based wipes are also effective since they contain alcohol! Rubbing alcohol also works when you want to rub ink from plastic objects.
Method #2: Use nail polish remover
What to prepare for this method:
- Gloves
- Face mask
- Nail polish remover
- Cotton swabs
Nail polish remover is made of acetone, a substance that can break down resin, paint, and many others. One should be careful of using acetone as it can be considered a hazardous chemical.
Thus, you should wear gloves and a face mask as protective equipment to keep harmful substances away from your system.
- Step 1: To remove stains from rubber using nail polish remover, grab a cotton ball and dampen it with the substance.
- Step 2: Gently rub the cotton to the area where you see permanent ink stains.
- Step 3: Use cotton swabs for smaller areas.
This also works if you are attempting to get Sharpie off of rubber. However, keep in mind that permanent ink is harder to remove when it has settled on the area for a longer period of time. So, it might take time until the ink completely disappears.
Method #3: Apply toothpaste and lemon juice solution
What to prepare for this method:
- Toothpaste and lemon juice
- Small bowl
- Spoon
- Soft rag
To get ink off rubber soles, I would not recommend the above methods. It’s better that you opt for the toothpaste and lemon juice method for removing ink from rubber shoes.
This method is also suitable for erasing ink from foam or from porous surface as it is not abrasive. The component in toothpaste that is responsible for blotting out ink is glycerine. You can use white toothpaste for the method.
For instance, if you’d like to get Sharpie off of shoe rubber, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Take a small dish, squeeze the juice out of a lemon, and add about the same amount of toothpaste.
- Step 2: Mix the two components with a spoon and grab a clean, soft rag. Dip the rag in the toothpaste and lemon juice solution.
- Step 3: Repeatedly rub the dampened rag on the affected area to remove Sharpie from rubber shoes and wait until the ink completely disappears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does permanent marker Stay on rubber?
Permanent markers stay on many surfaces, including rubber, plastic, metal, wood, and many more.
How do you remove Sharpie from rubber?
The methods mentioned above are ways to remove Sharpie ink from rubber using home products. You can try applying a dab of rubbing alcohol to it, a nail polish remover, or make a toothpaste and lemon juice solution.
You can also use other home products that contain each method’s active ingredients, such as rubbing alcohol, acetone, and glycerin.
Tips on how to get marker off a rubber doll
For rubber dolls, toothpaste and lemon juice may be the best start in getting marker ink off a rubber doll. This is because it has the least risk of damaging the doll.
Conclusion
As helpful as they are, permanent markers are a hassle to erase on rubber! But seeing that you find clever ways on how to remove permanent marker from rubber, surely you can erase it in no time!
Those are the easy-to-find home remedies to erase marker stains from rubber, just look in the bathroom, kitchen, or around the house and shazam! You can now try them out!
