Effective Sharpie Removal Methods

Sharpie removal is a skill that every parent of small children will need to learn at some point or another. No matter how well you hide your Sharpie markers, toddlers have an almost magical nose for sniffing them out and creating designs all over your home. Therefore, you will need to know how to remove the sharpie marks before they set in. This simple step by step guide will show you how. Let's get started.

Tip - Don't delay! With a Sharpie marker stain, seconds count. So, as soon as you notice the mark, get started cleaning. The longer you wait, the more difficult the marker stain will be to remove - if you can remove it all.

Cleaning Walls

Step 1 - Apply Bar Soap

Before you attempt to clean the sharpie marker on the wall, take a piece of bar soap and use it like a piece of chalk on the stain. Draw a thin line of soap over the sharpie marker stained before continuing.

Step 2 - Mix Washing Solution

Create a washing solution by mixing some mild laundry detergent, chlorine bleach and water in a bucket.

Step 3 - Scrub and Sponge the Wall

Use the scrubber side of the sponge to firmly scrub the area of the wall where the sharpie marker stain is located. However, don't scrub the wall too hard or you'll remove the paint finish. Once the stain starts to show signs of disappearing, turn the sponge over and use the soft side to finish cleaning the marker stain.

Step 4 - Rinse and Wipe

Rinse the stain area with clean water and wipe dry with a towel.

Cleaning Fabric

Step 1 - Wash Area with Soap and Water

Wash the stained area of the fabric with some soap and water. Use a scrub brush to scrub out as much of the stain is possible. Rinse the area before continuing.

Step 2 - Treat Mark Spot With Hair Spray or Nail Polish Remover

Saturate the area where the stain is located on the fabric with aerosol hairspray or nail polish remover.

Step 3 - Blot the Mark

Use a damp sponge to blot the area where the sharpie marker stain is located. Don't wipe the stain while the hairspray or nail polish remover is on the fabric because it may smear the stain rather than remove it.

Step 4 - Apply More Soap and Water

After you blot the stain with the sponge, apply more soap and water solution on the affected area of the fabric.

Step 5 - Scrub the Mark

Scrub the area of with a soft bristled scrub brush while the soap and water is still in place.

Step 6 - Rinse and Repeat

Rinse the area with clean water and repeat as many times as needed to finish removing the sharpie marker stain.