How to Remove Permanent Marker

We've all used a permanent marker at some point in our lives and chances are that we've gotten permanent marker on us. You may remember asking your friends in school how to remove permanent marker from your skin and those kids saying that it will never come off because it's permanent. Well, permanent marker may very well stay on certain materials for a good long time, but it won't stay forever on your skin. So, without further ado here is the definitive guide for how to remove permanent marker from various objects on which it commonly finds itself unwanted.

How to remove permanent marker from dry-erase boards or other smooth surface? There are a few ways of doing this. One method that is popularized on wikihow.com is to actually use a dry-erase marker to remove the permanent marker. If a dry-erase marker mark is able to be wiped clean from the surface that the permanent marker is stuck to, then you can draw over the permanent marker mark with the dry erase marker. Let it sit for a few seconds and wipe away both of the marks with a paper towel or rag. This generally will work with marks that have been recently discovered. But what about how to remove permanent marker that's been sitting on a smooth surface for several days? This is where certain chemicals come into play. Common household rubbing alcohol will generally take care of the permanent marker as long as you're persistent in rubbing it out with the chemical.

How to remove permanent marker from porous surfaces such as fabrics and furniture? This is a bit of a gamble and in most cases you will not be able to remove the stain completely as you could with a solid, smooth surface. Before applying a commercial stain remover to your fabric, be sure to test the remover on an inconspicuous area of the fabric, such as a place that will be tucked in or a part of a couch that is under a cushion. Next, dab your stain remover on the permanent marker spot and allow it to sit for a minute or two. Take a clean paper towel and begin to dab (not RUB) the stain, moving to a clean area of the paper towel after each dab. Time is of the essence here. The sooner you treat the permanent marker, the better chance you will have at removing the stain. How to remove permanent marker stains if you don't have a commercial stain remover in your home? You can use several agents, three of the most popular of which are nail polish remover, toothpaste, and WD-40 lubricant and rust-treater. You can apply these chemicals to the stain in the same fashion, but remember to follow the guidelines outlined above and be sure to test the chemicals on an inconspicuous area first.

How to remove permanent marker from your skin? The best way is to apply some rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball and rub vigorously on the affected area. This will usually take care of most of the stain. If not, then several hand washings will take care of the rest.

I hope this helps. The next time you see permanent marker stains on your skin, furniture, or walls, then you'll know how to remove them at least semi-effectively.