How to Remove Dry Erase Marker Stains from Carpet

If you have a 2-year-old, then you know the trouble and the messes you have to encounter on a daily basis. No one can adequately prepare you for life with a toddler-laughter and mayhem rolled into a giggly bundle of uncontrollable energy. They are precious and precocious at the same time and that leads to TROUBLE. When my 2-year-old son decided to draw a masterpiece on our carpet, I was panic stricken. Not only do we own the standard "new house" beige carpet, but he chose to draw his beautiful work of art with a black dry erase marker.

Dry erase marker stains don't come out of things easily, which is why I never let my toddler play with them. But in this situation, I had carelessly left them on the counter top-mommy's mistake! While I played with my daughter on the carpet in the living room, he was using the dry erase markers to create a Kandinsky like picture on the carpet in his bedroom. If you find your toddler has used a dry erase marker throughout your house, don't panic--you don't have to move. Removing dry erase marker stains isn't as difficult as I thought; it just took a little time!

Removing Dry Erase Marker Stains Mistakes:

At first I tried the usual soapy water and a clean rag. That did nothing but smear the dry erase marker mess around into a blob. I quickly gave that up. Next I tried Resolve and Spot Shot, which normally get up anything. That worked better, but it was still a mess. While some of the marker lines stayed neatly drawn, the ones I tried to clean with Spot Shot were blurry and smeared. I tried a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, but it just broke off in little bits on the carpet. (The Magic Eraser is good; however, for removing dry erase marker stains from cabinets, vinyl flooring and walls!)

Removing Dry Erase Marker Stains Solutions:

What finally worked the best was rubbing alcohol. I dabbed a sponge with rubbing alcohol and gently blotted. The dry erase marker stains came up instantly. DO NOT RUB! I cannot stress this enough. I have read forums where other mothers had good luck with diaper wipes or full strength Murphy's Oil soap. After I used the alcohol and removed the dry erase marker stains, I opened the windows to ventilate the area and dry the carpet. After the carpet was dry, I vacuumed the carpet to get up the remaining pieces. Now our carpet looks as good as new, and the dry erase markers have been permanently relocated to the top closet shelf. Even though this disaster wasn't permanent, I am still constantly amazed at what my children can do. There are solutions to every problem, and tips of motherhood we all need to share. Being a mother is hard work; hope this helps make it a bit easier.