Granite is used for our countertops, islands, flooring, sinks, etc. Its smooth surface and unique pattern gives a sleek and modern vibe to our home. However, stains do get on them many times, and it’s tricky to keep them spotless.
If you have ever tried removing old permanent markers from granite, you know that it is not an easy task. The ink adheres quite strongly, making it difficult to remove without sweating buckets.
So, this article will walk you through some methods on how to remove Sharpie from granite more easily. Read on!
Table of Contents
Remove Sharpie Stains 101
Option #1 - Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can be an effective cleaner to remove marker stains from stone countertops.
What you will need to have:
- Rubbing alcohol
- A cloth
What you will need to do:
- Pour some alcohol onto the permanent marker stain.
- Grab a cloth and use it to rub the spot in circular motions. Avoid using too much force, as you might cause damage to the granite surface.
- Add more alcohol and continue until the ink disappears.
- Rinse your cloth and wipe over the treated surface to finish.
Option #2 - Nail Polish Remover
If you are treating sealed granite surfaces, like countertops, you should definitely consider giving nail polish remover a try. It will dissolve the permanent marker ink, so your job is hassle-free.
What you will need to have:
- Rubbing alcohol
- A few cotton balls or cotton pads
- A cloth
What you will need to do:
- Pour some nail polish remover onto a cotton ball or pad.
- Use the cotton ball or pad to rub the permanent marker stain on your granite.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 with a new cotton ball or pad each time until the ink is gone.
- Go over the surface again with a wet cloth, ensuring the surface is not sticky to the touch.
Option #3 - Baking Soda & Rubbing Alcohol
Baking soda and rubbing alcohol together make a granite countertop stain removal paste.
What you will need to have:
- Baking soda
- Rubbing alcohol
- A mixing bowl or similar container
- A toothbrush
- Plastic wrap
- Masking tape
- A cloth
What you will need to do:
- Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda and some rubbing alcohol in a bowl or a similar container. You should get a paste-like mixture.
- Apply the paste over the Sharpie stain using a clean toothbrush.
- Cover the spot with plastic wrap and some masking tape. Leave it as is for 24 to 48 hours.
- Remove the plastic wrap cover and wipe the paste away with a slightly wet cloth. Your Sharpie stain should be lifted and erased along with the paste.
- Rinse the cloth and use it to wipe the treated spot again, completing the process.
Note: If you do not have rubbing alcohol, you can substitute it with hydrogen peroxide to get Sharpie off granite.
Option #4 - Toothpaste & Baking Soda
This is another DIY mixture that you can think about creating for your Sharpie-stained granite.
What you will need to have:
- Toothpaste
- Baking soda
- A mixing bowl or similar container
- A sponge
- A cloth
What you will need to do:
- In your mixer bowl or a similar container, blend toothpaste and baking soda. Adjust the amounts based on the size of your stain.
- Once you have a paste-like mixture, go ahead and load it onto a clean sponge.
- Apply the mixture to the permanent marker ink with your sponge.
- Then, use the same sponge to scrub the spot. Use circular motions to lift the color away.
- Continue until the permanent marker ink fades completely.
- Wipe the surface clean with a wet cloth.
Option #5 - Goo Gone
A lot of people use Goo Gone to get Sharpies out of quartz, but you can also consider using it on granite surfaces.
What you will need to have:
- Goo Gone
- A cloth
What you will need to do:
- Apply a bit of Goo Gone onto the Sharpie stain.
- Give it 10 minutes to work its magic.
- Grab a cloth and use it to work the permanent marker ink off. Put in some elbow grease, but do not apply too much force to avoid damage.
- Wipe the surface once more with a different wet cloth.
Alternatively, you can apply Goo Gone to your cloth, then set the cloth over the stain for several minutes. Use the same cloth to work the permanent marker ink off.
Option #6 - WD-40
WD-40 is another outstanding commercial product that you can rely on to get markers out of granite. It is also quite cost-effective, as you can use it for other surfaces. For example, you can use it to deal with Sharpie on quartz.
What you will need to have:
- WD-40
- A cloth
What you will need to do:
- Grab your WD-40 spray bottle and point the nozzle at the permanent marker stain.
- Spritz the Sharpie but avoid over-spraying it. Excess WD-40 makes the job messier.
- Give it 30 seconds to seep and settle into the stain.
- Now, take a cloth to rub the spot that has been sprayed.
- Go over the treated spot again with a fresh, wet cloth.
Note: WD-40 has an off-putting smell when it is used. However, this smell will not stay around for long. Just give it a bit of time to wear off.
Option #7 - Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
You can get markers out of granite with this melamine sponge that works like a miracle. It is also easy to find and fairly inexpensive. You can buy it online or offline.
What you will need to have:
- A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
- A cloth
What you will need to do:
- Start with the magic eraser. Run it under water to activate it.
- Wring it to release excess water. The eraser should no longer be dripping wet.
- Use the eraser like a sponge against the Sharpie on your granite. Work the ink off.
- Wipe the surface clean with your cloth once the permanent marker stain is gone.
Aren’t you glad to know that there are just four steps to erase Sharpies from granite tiles and get ink out of granite countertops?
Other Tips to Know
Tip #1 – Know Your Granite
Before you start dousing your granite with any cleaning solution or trying any of the methods we have described above, you should know whether your granite is sealed. If it is unsealed, it will be considered non-porous granite.
And some methods will do more harm than good on non-porous granite. For example, from earlier, nail polish remover only works well with sealed granite. So, it is essential to know your granite!
Tip #2 – Patch Test, Just in Case
As the saying goes, better safe than sorry! Patch-testing the ingredient you will use to handle the Sharpie stains is always a good idea. If your granite shows an adverse reaction, like discoloring, you will have the chance to switch to another method and not ruin the surface.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What can you use to remove Sharpies from granite?
As you have read, removing permanent marker from granite is possible with (1) rubbing alcohol, (2) nail polish remover, (3) a mixture of baking soda and rubbing alcohol, (4) a mixture of toothpaste and baking soda, (5) Goo Gone, (6) WD-40, or (7) Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
How do you get Sharpies off countertops?
You can use cooking oils to remove markers like Sharpie from laminate countertops. Otherwise, the approaches above can be used to get permanent markers off granite countertops.
However, to easily get Sharpie out of quartz surface, you should use hairspray and a damp cloth.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned how to remove Sharpie from granite, you can use them more freely and comfortably. The methods above count on items that you probably have already lying around the house, or are fairly affordable and easy to get.
Experiment with the methods and pick the one that works best for your granite. Do not forget to share your cleaning experience with us, too!
